Whats the diff???

J

jakes29

New member
Alright, anybody know the difference between these two lower priced rotarys? I am in the market for one but since I will be only a weekend warrior, I do not need to get a dewalt or makita. Although the dewalt is nice, I used to use one when I was detailing professionally.



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90820





http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46507



The first one looks more like the dewalt but I don't know. Anybody have any ideas??? Thanks:xyxthumbs
 
By the adds the $59 looks like a newer model with an LCD display. It also has more acessories included with it, but the quality of the foam pad is to be questioned. I think that the china manufacturing plant has changed the polisher or either its a new supplier. I don't think the they will really be comparable to a Dewalt as far as quality or longevity. It will do the job ok for the ocassional use you will be using it for.



As a side note I recently just converted my Craftsman 6 in sander to use as a rotary. I have a PC and only need to use a rotary for extreme defect removal. I never thought about it, but I was looking in my cabinet and saw this ander that I use for removing paint. I thought if I could find a backing plate it would work OK as a rotary as it has 2 speeds 1400 and 1800 RPM. The problem is that the threading on the shaft is a specialized 1/2inch 20 thread. So I went to home depot and found a Norton hook and loop adaptor for 5 inch orbital sander and applied it to my original 6 inch rubber sanding plate. I have not tried it yet, but I said to my self this should work as I don't really need to have any more tools in my garage.
 
9.8 amp motor vs. 11 amp motor

6.6 lbs vs. 8.4 lbs

$59.99 vs. $24.99



Make no mistake, neither one of these are DeWalts but I guess they will do the job....don't know.



The big question here is how do you adjust the speed. One has some kind of LCD screen and the other doesn't tell you. One says it has a variable speed and the other doesn't. I'd certainly have to look at these in person before buying, and don't expect them to last too long.
 
Thanks guys. I have used the dewalt before and I know what kind of awesome machine it is. However, I only see myself needing a rotary once every couple of months or so. I can't bring myself to spend that money on an awesome tool I would hardly ever use.



Does anybody know of any other low priced rotarys that I may consider:D



p.s. Alot of rotarys say they have a hook and loop backing plate. What exactly is this? I would most likely need to get a velcro backing plate or use pads that can bolt directly to the polisher correct?



Thanks again everybody. This place rocks:xyxthumbs
 
velcro is hook and loop plate. There is the Vector sold by properautocare.com at $70. It looks similar to the Harborfreight and some on this board says its the same. I'm not sure you can do some reasearch on them. I know that Kragen Auto sells a $50 rotary, but its probably the same as the HF. At $25 for the HF go for it as the pads cost more than the machine. It should last you at least a few years for the amount you are gonna use it.
 
Here is a thread with some info on the second one you posted a link to:



http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30305&highlight=rotary



The speed is adjusted with a thumbwheel knob and if you replace the backing plate with something better it is fine for occasional use. I seldom have use for a rotary, but when I do this one fills in nicely. If I used it on a weekly basis I'd probably get a Makita or a DeWalt. If it works out OK for Jimmy Buffit in a pro detailing shop it can't too bad, and you sure canâ€â„¢t beat the price.
 
Thanks guys. I'm gonna order the $25 rotary this weekend.



I need some advice on pads and backing plates. From my research on here, Lake country and meguires have good pads.

Would I be alright ordering these? Have any other suggestions?



Thanks again everybody as usual:D
 
There's a HF retails store less than a mile from my apartment, and I just saw this in a flyer I got last week. I'm gonna pick one up today as a matter of fact.
 
I have the $25 bucks and works perfectly for occasional use. However, I think the lighter one will be easier to deal with.

they have also a new one, juts serach harbro freight for polisher. The best feature of the new one: 300-3000 rpm variable, and bail handle :p
 
JBM said:
Why doesnt the PC have a thumbwheel knob ?



I hate the locarion of the speed adjustment on it....
Click to expand...
It was designed as a sander. You rarely adjust the speed on a sander as you go.



As such a thumbwheel adjustment was probably considered unnecessary (possibly even undesirable) and other engineering criteria took precedence.





PC.
 
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