Tools and Machines Reviews: Rotary Buffers

eckoman_pdx · 01-24-2008, 02:07 AM

This thread is for reviews of Rotary Buffers. This way we can have all the reviews of Rotary Buffers in one easy to find, easy to search place. Please post your reviews of Rotary Buffers you've used, own or owned here.

Electric Variable Speed Rotary Buffer: Makita 9217SPC, 7" Diameter, 1500-2800rpm (adjustable)
It is discontinued now. I've seen it sell today for about $199-$210, if you can find it.

This thing is great. It's an expensive pro buffer. I used to use it all the time when I did high end primo mobile detailing. It never smoked, slowed down, got over-worked, or anything. Cutting, buffing, polishing...no matter how much you used it or abused it, it just keeps working. I've never used a cheap buffer, and after owning this one, I never will. I still have this thing. I've had it for over 5 years at least. It still works like it's new. If you know how to use a rotary, combining this buffer with good pads and compound will yield amazing results. Only a Rotary Buffer is capable of removing paint defects. A skilled person using a good Rotary will zip through a job much faster than any other method, with better results. This Rotary buffer will hold up to any job you throw at it, and leave asking you for more.

This thing is a beast. Highly recommended, if you know how to use a rotary...if you don't...learn before you try to use one, or you could damage your paint. Only use a rotary if you know what your doing. If you know what you are doing, this Rotary is highly recommended. Well worth the price. It's the only buffer you'll ever buy.

Here are some before and after pictures, using the above Makita Rotary Buffer, to give you an idea of what this baby can do. I probably spent about 1 hour on the car with the Rotary (about 3 hrs, 45 minutes total on the exterior: wash wheels/tires, dry wheels/tires, wash car, dry car, cut and buff the paint with the rotary, cut and buff the water spots off windows using the rotary, 2 coats of wax, shine wheels and tires, etc). This buffer is A++ Highly recommended!!!

Before (The Day I bought the car)

After (After I finished buffing and detailing the exterior using the above product)

TomsMR2 · 01-25-2008, 04:13 AM

everything "makita" ive ever used kicked ass. great brand.. them an dewalt. i think the dewalt rotary is heavier though.

heres my after pic.. i dont have a before, but it was the standard faded crimson red.

buffed with a pos HF rotary buffer with MAC pads and 3M compounds. the buffer has its drawbacks, the speed control sucks, but it does buff a car. not as much torque as a dewalt or makita, but more than enough to peel the paint off your car.

butter nuts · 01-26-2008, 11:47 PM

Chicago Power (Harbor Frieght) Buffer.

Don't buy it, its **** from a dog's ass. I'm a fan of some of HF's stuff... but their buffer sucks.

jdm ding-dong · 01-27-2008, 10:45 AM

i use both dewalt and makita(personal fav)

and yes i use my makita 20 times a day for 4 years and still looks and performs like new

my dewalt has seen even more abuse and still has no problems

plus with a makita, i can complete 3-4 vehicules in one day when i realy gotta hustle

and with the right pads and a quick pad release u can zip trought diffrent stages of paint correction in minutes!

jhauschild · 01-27-2008, 01:07 PM

Porter-cable fan here....rotary orbital. I used to use a Snap-on high speed rotary, craftsman, and I still have a Harbor Freight high speed. I do a lot of wet sanding and polishing for folks around here. After seeing the Porter-Cable rotary orbitals in use on You tube I had to get one. After the first time using it I knew that my money was well spent.

01-24-2008, 02:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
eckoman_pdx Rev 6 Install Expert Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 2,799 Thanks: 66 Thanked 177 Times in 149 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	Reviews: Rotary Buffers This thread is for reviews of Rotary Buffers. This way we can have all the reviews of Rotary Buffers in one easy to find, easy to search place. Please post your reviews of Rotary Buffers you've used, own or owned here. Electric Variable Speed Rotary Buffer: Makita 9217SPC, 7" Diameter, 1500-2800rpm (adjustable) It is discontinued now. I've seen it sell today for about $199-$210, if you can find it. This thing is great. It's an expensive pro buffer. I used to use it all the time when I did high end primo mobile detailing. It never smoked, slowed down, got over-worked, or anything. Cutting, buffing, polishing...no matter how much you used it or abused it, it just keeps working. I've never used a cheap buffer, and after owning this one, I never will. I still have this thing. I've had it for over 5 years at least. It still works like it's new. If you know how to use a rotary, combining this buffer with good pads and compound will yield amazing results. Only a Rotary Buffer is capable of removing paint defects. A skilled person using a good Rotary will zip through a job much faster than any other method, with better results. This Rotary buffer will hold up to any job you throw at it, and leave asking you for more. This thing is a beast. Highly recommended, if you know how to use a rotary...if you don't...learn before you try to use one, or you could damage your paint. Only use a rotary if you know what your doing. If you know what you are doing, this Rotary is highly recommended. Well worth the price. It's the only buffer you'll ever buy. Here are some before and after pictures, using the above Makita Rotary Buffer, to give you an idea of what this baby can do. I probably spent about 1 hour on the car with the Rotary (about 3 hrs, 45 minutes total on the exterior: wash wheels/tires, dry wheels/tires, wash car, dry car, cut and buff the paint with the rotary, cut and buff the water spots off windows using the rotary, 2 coats of wax, shine wheels and tires, etc). This buffer is A++ Highly recommended!!! Before (The Day I bought the car) After (After I finished buffing and detailing the exterior using the above product) Last edited by eckoman_pdx; 01-24-2008 at 02:52 AM..

01-25-2008, 04:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
TomsMR2 Still not heraldo. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pineapple under the sea Posts: 4,911 Thanks: 18 Thanked 406 Times in 303 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	everything "makita" ive ever used kicked ass. great brand.. them an dewalt. i think the dewalt rotary is heavier though. heres my after pic.. i dont have a before, but it was the standard faded crimson red. buffed with a pos HF rotary buffer with MAC pads and 3M compounds. the buffer has its drawbacks, the speed control sucks, but it does buff a car. not as much torque as a dewalt or makita, but more than enough to peel the paint off your car. __________________ Science fact: If you took all the veins from your body and laid them end to end, you would die.

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01-26-2008, 11:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
butter nuts The Dissident Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 460 Thanks: 10 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Chicago Power (Harbor Frieght) Buffer. Don't buy it, its **** from a dog's ass. I'm a fan of some of HF's stuff... but their buffer sucks.

01-27-2008, 10:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
jdm ding-dong Cage Fighter Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 102 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	i use both dewalt and makita(personal fav) and yes i use my makita 20 times a day for 4 years and still looks and performs like new my dewalt has seen even more abuse and still has no problems plus with a makita, i can complete 3-4 vehicules in one day when i realy gotta hustle and with the right pads and a quick pad release u can zip trought diffrent stages of paint correction in minutes!

01-27-2008, 01:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
jhauschild fabricator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: wi, usa Posts: 252 Thanks: 20 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Porter-cable fan here....rotary orbital. I used to use a Snap-on high speed rotary, craftsman, and I still have a Harbor Freight high speed. I do a lot of wet sanding and polishing for folks around here. After seeing the Porter-Cable rotary orbitals in use on You tube I had to get one. After the first time using it I knew that my money was well spent.