School me on rotaries (or point me to a thread that will)

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Impeccable

New member
Is there any thread that compares the different rotary options, and which pads go well with them? If you know of one, please post a link. I tried searching, but the terms "rotary" and "comparisons" are everywhere on this forum. If not, I'll just ask some general questions.



I somehow busted the spindle of my PC's backing plate on what must have been my 100th detail with it, and I'm not sure I'll be able to fix it (part of the spindle is still inside the PC nut). I figure it's time to step up to a rotary anyway, and if I can fix the PC I'll get 4" pads and continue to use it for the small stuff (and maybe LSP's). Anyway, I see there are 3 different Flex models that autogeek sells. I know the Makita used to be popular as well. Can anyone briefly explain the differences between all these rotary options? Also, are the pad options comparable to PC options?



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Even if you step up to the rotary, you'll want the PC fixed. I still use mine heavily after the rotary purchase.



That stinks man, but I'm sure a service center can take care of it.
 
CosminTX said:
get a drill and get that out , and u buy a new backing plate
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Yup, that's what I'm going to try tomorrow. Hopefully I can crack the spindle and not my drill bits. If that works, I'm going to pick up both a 6" and a 4" backing plate.



I've now convinced myself to get a rotary anyway, so the original question still applies! Your input is welcomed.
 
xhaust50 said:
Yup, that's what I'm going to try tomorrow. Hopefully I can crack the spindle and not my drill bits. If that works, I'm going to pick up both a 6" and a 4" backing plate.



I've now convinced myself to get a rotary anyway, so the original question still applies! Your input is welcomed.
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there are some extractors for this cases check with home depot
 
all rotary polishers will accept the same different backing plates, which will accept the same pads...pick and choose a color in some cases, and durability and weight in others...



dewalt is heavy and stout

makita, hitachi are both very similar and lighter

flex rotary????????? no use with one





only time I bring out my rotary is for wool compounding or scratch repair.
 
xhaust50 said:
Yup, that's what I'm going to try tomorrow. Hopefully I can crack the spindle and not my drill bits. If that works, I'm going to pick up both a 6" and a 4" backing plate.



I've now convinced myself to get a rotary anyway, so the original question still applies! Your input is welcomed.
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just go slow and steady and you can get it out. Only thing I would be worried about is when you drill it and the BP spindle expands a bit, it might screw up the threads in the PC end...if thats the case, you can have an old PC (7424 original) I have lying around for parts...if thats the original one.
 
I have the flex rotary - the one similalar to the Makita. I'd get the makita. The flex 3403 rotary is a light weight rotary. That would be my first choice. The flex 3401 is a DA machine, not a pure rotary. Nowadays, that is all I use (99%) as I worked out a system that removes everything that a rotary can and not have to worry about removing holograms.
 
My current rotary is the Flex 3403, which I've been pretty happy with. For the most part, anyway.



It is a light weight rotary, which is nice, but it's *loud* which isn't nice.



It also doesn't have the cajones to take much pressure, or large pads. I don't mind the large pad part; I prefer smaller pads anyway. It also likes higher RPM's than slower ones. It'll heat up pretty fast at 1k RPM, which is, unfortunately, the sweet spot for M105. I'd guess I have around 600 hours on it, and it's starting to sound/feel like it's about time to rebuild the gear box, and replace the brushes.



If I had it to do over again, I'd get the Makita 9227. Every time I detail with Greg Nichols, I find some excuse to use his. It's quiet and bullet proof. It just weighs a ton.



It seems like I'm reaching for my PC a lot more than my rotary lately, though. Still use it for jeweling work that is beyond the capabilities of a DA, but for most work, the PC does just fine.
 
SuperBee364 said:
My current rotary is the Flex 3403, which I've been pretty happy with. For the most part, anyway.



It is a light weight rotary, which is nice, but it's *loud* which isn't nice.



It also doesn't have the cajones to take much pressure, or large pads. I don't mind the large pad part; I prefer smaller pads anyway. It also likes higher RPM's than slower ones. It'll heat up pretty fast at 1k RPM, which is, unfortunately, the sweet spot for M105. I'd guess I have around 600 hours on it, and it's starting to sound/feel like it's about time to rebuild the gear box, and replace the brushes.



If I had it to do over again, I'd get the Makita 9227. Every time I detail with Greg Nichols, I find some excuse to use his. It's quiet and bullet proof. It just weighs a ton.



It seems like I'm reaching for my PC a lot more than my rotary lately, though. Still use it for jeweling work that is beyond the capabilities of a DA, but for most work, the PC does just fine.
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600 hours. Good god man do you ever sleep?
 
+1 for the makita. I have 2 of them, one has about 7 years of daily use, and has only needed to have the brushes replaced once. Easy to use, lots of backing plate options, and you can work on it yourself, very simple to maintain. I also like the rpm's chart on the back of it. Only negative i see is that it heats up a lot. i don't use the side or top handle, so that becomes a problem.
 
toyotaguy said:
I have lying around for parts...if thats the original one.
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I appreciate it. Fortunately I was able to drill the spindle out.



I appreciate everyone's responses. Unfortunately there seems to be no clear cut answer here (of course). I just can't justify spending $300+ for another DA polisher, even if the Flex one is that good. I'm definitely looking at a rotary more for a time saver than anything else. I plan on using it to start jobs with heavier compounds, and would probably use the PC for everything else (including the milder polishing stage). I like the price of the 603, but think the 3403 would be the easiest transition for me coming from a PC. After looking through Petrucci_M3's threads it also seems like it would be up to the task to handle anything I need it for. The only thing I don't like is that the minimum speed is 1100RPM (when would you ever go above this on a car?).



Any reason why the older Makita 9227 is preferred over the newer Flex 603 (to those of you who responded that way)? The Makita speed settings go from 900RPM's to 1500RPM's, which doesn't seem ideal when most people work in the 1000-1200RPM range. I know I would prefer 6" pads at first with the rotary and believe both these rotaries come with 7.5" setups, but I'm sure I could change that.



Continued input is appreciated.
 
i have a dewalt its a good workout, but there are a few bodyshop guys i know that swear by them cause they last forever. i need a second i may end up with a makita just to try it.
 
The dewalt is not one I'd purchase.



One thing to remember with the 3401 da is this: It saves time because you will not be chasing after holograms.



Many times you have to use much higher rpms. The makita goes up to 3000rpm just like the flex.
 
tdekany said:
One thing to remember with the 3401 da is this: It saves time because you will not be chasing after holograms.
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I don't have to worry about holograms with the PC either, though. Does the flex RO save you a lot of time over a PC, or just get better results? If I was to buy the Flex RO I would sell my PC. With a rotary I would keep the PC.
 
I bought a makita a few months ago and I was intimidated at first. I started by practicing on an extra door I had. I have gotten much better with it, I did my first full car with it last week, it was my car, but I feel like any chance to practice makes me that much better. Didn't get huge amounts of correction, but I was mainly going for cleaning up light swirls and some buffer trails that someone else had left. I did a few parts with an orange pad and then white with some hd uno and then I did the rest of the car with a white pad. I really like the makita, its less noisy and doesn't make my hands vibrate for hours like the pc.



I can't speak for the other rotaries mentioned in the thread, but I am liking my makita more every time I use it.
 
This is a helpful thread. I use the PC 7424xp with various foam pads for auto, but have yet to decide on a new rotary for serious correction work and for marine gel coat.



My partner uses his Dewalt and it works well. However, the more I read about the Mikita makes me want to get it.



My local distributor even suggeted that too. He said they are the most durable, lightweight, and easier on the hands.
 
tdekany said:
The dewalt is not one I'd purchase.



One thing to remember with the 3401 da is this: It saves time because you will not be chasing after holograms.



Many times you have to use much higher rpms. The makita goes up to 3000rpm just like the flex.
Click to expand...
The 3401 does not go to 3000rpm!!
 
Impeccable said:
I don't have to worry about holograms with the PC either, though. Does the flex RO save you a lot of time over a PC, or just get better results? If I was to buy the Flex RO I would sell my PC. With a rotary I would keep the PC.
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It is a superior polisher compared to the pc. One should compare the 3401 to rotaries and not to PC type polishers. The 3401 is in a different league.
 
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