i am a little confused on rotary polisher?

i was wondering what the difference is on rotary and other polishers. i have a porter cable and a flex. how is the rotary better or not than my porter cable and flex.

 

Well the Porter Cable and Flex are both DA machines (I'm assuming the machines you have are DA). What DA means is that the machines oscillate where the rotary spins (RPM) in a circular motion. DA machines don't produce as much heat as compared to a rotary.

There is nothing wrong with a DA to do paint correction, it will get the job done. It's just that a DA will take longer to remove swirls/scratches/imperfections. Where with the rotary you can remove almost anything much faster, rotary breaks down polish faster which help remove swirls/scartches..ect..ect.

I hope this helps.

 

Thats what i thought. i was thinking of rotary was more like an angle grinder and it is. i guess then that i would need to be careful not to burn through the paint with a rotary. thanks

 

:nod: you need to pay close attention when using a rotary, I personally didn't enjoy my Porter Cable. I didn't like the vibrations and I found my self bored wile polishing but the PC is perfect to get the basics of detailing, best part it builds a good foundation so when you step up to a rotary it's the same principle you'll just never be bored with the rotary as it requires your full attention all the time.

 

My understanding is that the Porter Cable is an Orbital Polisher, like Nica describes. But the Flex is a dual action since it has forced rotation.

 

Types of Polisher’s

Singular or Dual Controlled Component

There are three main types of drive units; dual (two) action as opposed to a singular (one) action polisher-

a) A Single action machine (constant circular orbit (RPM) is one that has only one controlled component of a backing plate / pad. Due to its singular motion and high torque motor ( 10 Amp) it is able to produce friction while the operator applies pressure, allowing these machines to do a lot of work quickly

b) A Dual action machine (random elliptical orbit ( OPM) is one that has two controlled components of the backing plate / pad; orbiting around a centre spindle, while the baking plate / pad freely spins on its own axis. The backing plate mounting is off-centre, as the drive rotates centrifugal force moves the backing plate in an elliptical motion, to balance this motion a counter weight is fitted to counteract machine vibration

c) A Forced Rotation Dual action machine has both a circular motion (RPM) and a direct drive, elliptical orbital (OPM) motion with forced rotation, which means that the back plate rotates by a gear mechanism in a forced circular motion, as the back plate rotates it also oscillates in a random pattern. One action is the circular rotation and the second action is the random movement of the backing plate while it is rotating.

What makes this type of movement ‘safe’ is the comparatively lower torque electric motor on these units, so that it's virtually impossible to apply too much concentrated pressure in one place at one time. Chances are good that when too much pressure is applied, the oscillating action will come to a stop thereby protecting the finish.

[06.28.09 Edited for clarity]

An extract from one of a series of in-depth, unbiased detailing articles © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2008, all rights reserved​

 

Yea what He said^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^