I'm new to the forum but if any of you guys ever read any of my threads I posted up I recently started working at a Dealership detail shop not to long ago. My goal is to get better at detailing to better myself and also maybe in the future to also do some side work. At the detail shop I work at the standard buffing machine is the dewalt 849 and I must say it's pretty heavy at first but now I'm getting used to handling the buffer. Now my question is which one should I choose to buy for my personal use? Cany anyone tell me the pros and cons with these two brands?
Do you have access to the makita to try? They are both solid built and good at what they do it comes down to how they feel in your hand after 6 or so hours of buffing.
unfortunately I don't have access to a makita. The only things have access to is a Meguair's PC and a Dewalt 849
Well put it to you this way you are probably learning on the biggest baddest machine on the block. Every machine you use after you get the hang of the dewalt is going to be lighter and easier to control in tight spaces. The Makita is about a pound and a half lighter which does make a difference. Bottom line is both are solid machines that will give years of service.
I have two of the Dewalts, mine are actually Black and Deckers that are little over 20 years old and I never have had a problem with them. They are slightly heavier, which I feel helps with correction. Just because a tool is lighter than the other doesn't make it better. I would buy a Dewalt or most other tools brands before buying a makita. Iwould suggest looking at the Dynabrade, just like the Dewalt (built like a tank) but slightly lighter.
I love my DeWalt, and when I had one..I loved my Makita. The makita feels very nice to control, but for the smoothest opperation the DeWalt wins. Also for instant power the DeWalt is a CLEAR winner over the Makita.
Nothing wrong with a Dewalt, like Asphalt Rocket said just becuase it's lighter dosent make it better. I mean I've had my Metabo overheat on me a few times and all that is due to being so compact. Don't get me worng I still love my Metabo and enjoy using it but there is nothign wrong with a heavier machine. Like anything your boddy and technique adjust to the machine and once you get the hang of it you wont even notice the weight or size of the machine, you'll forget about the machine and concentrate more on what your doing. Besides both machines, Dewalt and Makita are well built machines, you wont go wrong with either one. Oh the other thing is since at your day job you'll be using the Dwalkt why not stick to what you'll be using day in, day out. Just my :2cents: though.
boss being a pain.....won't show me how to use a wool pad or cutting pad unless i pay him 65 bucks an hour lol don't know if he's kidding or not.
:nod: I agree, learn by your self. Just grab a spare panel and go at it. Wool pads are wicked, extremely wicked. I enjoy using wool pads....hmm....maybe a video of using a cutting wool pad would help :thinking:
Personally I like the Hitachi over both the Dewalt and Makita. It's lighter and a bit more powerful. I gave my Dewalt to my dad when I purchased my Hitachi. Now I have switched to a Metabo and love it. It's even lighter and more confortable then the Hitachi. I have lots of Hitachi powers too and I have had a very good experience with all of them. I can't complain about the Dewalt power tools I have but they usually cost a little more then Hitachi and the specs usually don't match Hitachi's. I have not been very happy with some of the Makita powers tools I have. The polisher is the only Metabo power tool I have and I have not had any issues with it.
