Going to a rotary?

[Gaz_]

Had a PC (porter cable) for about 4 years or so, its great but, lets be honest, its a bit tiresome/slow.

Possibly thinking of making the jump to a rotary. Doesnt need the best or anything, just a nice solid one. Any suggestions? Also would my existing backing plates fit the rotary, or would i need specific ones?

Cheers

 

[RussZS]

You need different backing plates for a Rotary - the fitment is different, as is the way they rotate.

What's your budget?

I find the cheaper ones massively frustrating to use, so I'd be looking at something like the 3M machine or the Milwaukee (I had the CP, which is essentially the same thing), all of which are around £180 or so. Budget about £30 for decent backing plates too.

 

[Gaz_]

So looking about £200 ish? Just toying with the idea at the min. I get good results off the PC its just takes forever to do a whole car. Do Rotary's come in 110/240v guise?

 

[RussZS]

Most are 240 only, but you can buy the Makita for example, in 110 if you really want to.

You're doing the right thing by making the switch, or you could at least look at the torquier DA's such as the DAS-6 Pro, which bridge the gap fairly well.

 

[Gaz_]

Hmmm, so stay away from the silverline? shame there isnt an in-between one around £130 ish? Seems its either £50, or £200!

 

[RussZS]

This is getting great feedback, but the location of the speed dial would annoy me

It's the best one for c£100 or so

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...r-ep800-compact-rotary-polisher/prod_854.html

 

[Kane.]

I keep hearing good stuff about the cyc rotary, think I'll end up buying it tbh.

 

[Cliotoby]

Russ.

Why cheap frustrating to use?

I have an S1M 180 or whetevr it is as it was pretty cheap. I use it mainly for harder paintwork types (BMW's mainly) to cut through bad swirls faster than a DA can. Its also fine for refining. perhaps a little bulky.

I really want a CP but not willing to spend all that money on something i use a few times a year - Its not my trade.

 

[Gally]

I have a cyc rotary and a Millwaukee.

The cyc is a fantastic machine mate. The size of the thing is lovely, it'll remind you of your PC. For the price it can't be beaten imo.

Some of the areas it can be used round is so good, even better with a spot pad.

The speed dial is annoying from a rotary user pov but it's exactly the same place as your pc.

For polishing, glazing ect it's simply fantastic. For glazing it's leagues ahead of a larger rotary. I glaze a lot though most don't.

The Millwaukee? Is imo the best rotary i've used (haven't used a makita) it does everything right. Not too heavy, not too light.

Fantastic start speed like the cyc one actually, perfect for spreading polish with zero splatter.

I can't speak highly enough of the Milly. Looking forward to getting mine repaired!

 

[chris_p]

Is the CYC rotary good enough to remove swirls on a bmw without too much fuss? Seems a fair price.

 

[Gally]

Is the CYC rotary good enough to remove swirls on a bmw without too much fuss? Seems a fair price.

Simple answer would be yes.

On a bmw it'll come down to technique, pad, polish.

 

[chris_p]

Simple answer would be yes.

On a bmw it'll come down to technique, pad, polish.

And what's the complex answer? lol.
I've minor swirls and minor rds, I'll be having a go at some stone chips too. Or should I be looking at a different rotary?

Cheers gally.

 

[Gally]

The rotary means very little imo. It's hard to explain but if you know how to correct it doesn't matter what machine you have.

Do you want something small like the Cyc? Or larger more standard size like the Millwaukee?

 

[chris_p]

The rotary means very little imo. It's hard to explain but if you know how to correct it doesn't matter what machine you have.

Do you want something small like the Cyc? Or larger more standard size like the Millwaukee?

In all honesty mate, I don't know! Whatever will make my life easier at the end of the day. Being an M3 it obviously has reasonably large panels, so would imagine a larger unit would be better, however there's also lots of smaller areas around bumpers etc so advice would be appreciated here!

I'll be practising on a scrap panel first btw haha

 

[richy22]

MY sub £40 Silverline Rotary has been fine. Along with Flexi-pads backing plates. Im a complete weed and don't find it hard to use. Although I will admit after a while the arms to start to ache on upright panels!!

 

[Gally]

The Silverline is a beast!

The cyc one is the lighest on the market iirc.

The Millwaukee gives the best of both worlds.

 

[aucky]

Silverline nearly killed me on lower doors and bumpers ¬__¬