New Rotary

Since having numerous power tools for my wood shop and my brother being in a business were power tools are used constantly, and knowing alot of contractors they use other makes because of durability. It is also well known that Makita is an average tool maker. DeWalt, Porter Cable, Milwaukee, Fein, Festool, Delta and a few others I can not think of at the top my head are your best power tools. Just because something is lighter and cheaper does not make it a better tool. Weight has nothing to do with quality of a tool. It always seems that is a big factor when someone suggest a Makita. This does not make it better. I will be more than happy to put both of my 27 year old Black and Deckers against any Makita. I also have an old cast iron case Milwaukee buffer that I use once in awhile that is older than dirt and it works perfect. Matter of fact ask Chas about my buffer, he used it this past weekend.

 

I agree, weight is really not an issue. I currently own Metabo and Makita and have no problems switching between either one. Weight is truly not an issue for my any more, I used to favor the Metabo because it's lighter...I still prefer it but now it really makes no difference to me which ever buffer I'm using....hopefully soon I'll be adding more rotary's to my collection

Basically, which ever you choose just make sure it feels good to you, that's what's important, but that's just my :2cents:

 

I currently own four different Rotaries. I have a Dewalt, Makita, Metabo, and Flex (Light weight.)

Forget about tool companies and their reputation, and focus on individual tool performance. Honestly after using all these different machines, if I had to recommend someone only one, it would have to be the Makita. I love them all, and they all have their pros and cons, but the Makita is a very well balanced machine.

When compared to the Dewalt, the Makita offers similar speed ranges, better ergonomics, virtually equal performance/ torque, and its a bit lighter. Going off of Specs alone, the only thing out there that may beat my trusty Makita might be that new Festool, but I don't know many that would want to blow that much money one a rotary (With any luck I'll have one by Christmas to compare to the rest:applause2

Get yourself a Makita!

 

It should be based on their reputation and performance. Where do you think a reputation comes, from performance. This doesn't just go for tools but businesses and people. It is fine to like a Makita rotary but they are a less grade of tool vs. the others I have mentioned. If you had numerous power tools and have been around them all your life, and not just polishers you would understand that Makita is average as a tool at best. Next thing you know we are going to hear that Ryobi is a great tool. Also look at some of the woodworking, construction type shows, see what type of tools they use. You will rarely see a Makita used, that should tell you something also, they are not a as dependable and have the quality as the other tools mentioned.

 

Ryobi are good tools .... my dad has a set and thats lasted him ages ... TBH if there was a BOSCH rotary id buy it right here and now , purely because bosch is the main brand or tools my dad has and uses and hes had them years !!..

It seems to me that its just down to personal preferance tbh , i mean if you had been brought using nothing but (a really cheap and nasty make , cant think of one off the top of my head cause ive never used on ) then you would think nothing against of going out and buying a rotary from that specific brand.

The Makita seems to do it for me because of the size , im a fan of the bigger tools , and my dad rates Makita higher than Dewalt , however when i start the business up and get more money i shall be buying a few more rotaries , metabo , hitachi etc ... and seeing how they fair

 

Ryobi is a tool based on the harry homeowner. They are an inexpensive tool for the do-it-yourselfer. Once again based on your observations by liking the two tool brands over the other it looks like price is the factor since both are a cheaper priced tool. With tools you will always get what you pay for for. I would agree with you on the Bosch tools, very good tools indeed.

 

Aye , my dad use to work for the council (joiner ) but he does everything else aswell and whilst he was working for the council , he used nothing but Bosch and Dewalt ... but he actually said to me that Makita are a better tool than Dewalt.

So the Royobi is a bit of a downgrade haha but the tools he has (18v drill , Jigsaw ,Circular saw) there holding up really well.

 

18V does not make a tool, most or all of your tools are 18v now. It is a fact that the Ryobi is directed towards the harry homeowner, and average at best. I will give you another example. Mechanics, most have Snap-On, Mac, or Matco, the ones that do not use these tools and use a cheaper tool, either are just starting out or are not very good at their job and can not afford a quality tool. If your dad is happy with his tools, great ,but we are talking about quality here. I understand you are just 16 and probably haven't had the chance to use a wide varity of tools. When you do you will understand were I am coming from.

 

I have used a wide vairety of tools , i was going on jobs with my dad when i was 7 or 8 so ive use a vast majority of tools that he has used .... But i know where your coming from with Quality and brand etc ...

But my dad is very good at his job its just he doenst need to buy dewalt and bosch etc... because he isnt using them on the daily basis that he was using the tools when he worked at the council (hes not a building surveyor so doesnt use them no where near as much as he us to )

 

I am sure your dad is great at his job. See you just stated what I have been saying. He doesn't use tools everyday so he can get away with using that quality of tool. Good talking with you and good luck on starting your detailing business. Oh, stay away from the Hitachi tools.:thumb:

 

Sorry I was a bit argumentative then I couldnt see where you were getting at but i can now , thanks and sorry for the agressive behavior

 

So does this mean you don't think Craftsman Mechanics Tools are High Quality?

 

No need to apologize, but thank you. We had a discussion and that was all. No harm, no foul.
You were fine, you had your opinion and there is nothing wrong with that.

Not as good as quality as Snap-On, Mac, or Matco.

 

Hey R1kk1 BFG.... Don't know if this is too late but..... I have the Makita & love it. :tiptoe: IMO everyone's advice here is dead on with how to handle it. One thing I love about mine is that I have the double sided quick connect pads with it. I've learned to use the top side of the pad on rocker panels and such so I don't dirty up my pad or stop to change it.

On another note... while looking at the link on for the Dyna.... has anyone used the random orbital head attachment for it?? Either on the Dyna or another rotary??

 

honestly depends on what your doing i have a mix of them all and i love my craftsman pro`s

 

R1kk1, if you're going to spend a decent bit of money on your first polisher, then your starting point should be the Milwaukee AP12QE, but if you're going to invest in one which will last you a lifetime, then I can honestly say you'd be hard pressed to find anything that matches the new Fein WPO 14-15 XE.
Bit of a review here - I know it's not nice to tease, but still...... - and related here - DECISION DECISIONS- Which new Rotary?

 

Holy information Batman!! Just to get my two cents in, a few observations from my experiences alone.

1. Craftsman polisher. I had one when I first started detailing and it lasted about 6 months before it died. It just stopped working. They could have improved on them by now.
2. I had a B&D before I got my Makita. Worked fine with no issues but the Makita was a bit lighter which was why I switched.
3. Used my Makita for about 8 years. Only problem, and this is common, is that the wires tend to break inside the cord where the cord enters the polisher. Its a five minute fix so its really not a concern.
4. Got my Flex Lightweight earlier this year. I started having problems with my wrists ( yes I'm that old ) so the weight once again was a deciding factor. I've done more correction work this year than any previous two years combined and no issues at all with the polisher or my wrists.

You are going to have to try a few polishers to find one that suits you. My advice is to get ahold of each and try them. This may mean going to stores and see if you can demo a unit. Don't shy away from one because of price. You can't put a price on quality and if it makes your job easier and more enjoyable then its worth whatever you have to pay for it. My Flex LW is 2 lbs lighter than my Makita, and at 2500 rpm is smoother than it at 900 rpm. Thats huge when you are doing a lot of correction work. The downside is that it starts at 1100rpm. Will I be trying a Shinex? Damn rights I will. Andy says its quieter and smoother than his Flex. Its a lot more money, or is it? You are going to spend around $225 for a Makita, Dewalt or what have you. The Shinex is only another $175. Thats one month at Starbucks for me. Don't ask. We all have issues. LOL It is sooooooo worth having quality tools, especially when you are using them everyday. If you are in the UK, call Rich at Polished Bliss. He's very knowledgeable and can let you know whats available in your area.

 

Fein makes some amazing tools. I have a few in my wood shop.

 

So I've subsequently found out, and that Robert Bosch trained at Fein.
Equally interesting to learn, Fein's history has been littered with first to market or inventing something or other, and predominantly in the metalworking sector, rather than the woodworking sector, that quite a number of others (Festool, etc) are better known for.

 

starting to look for one too. thinking to switch from DA to rotary. i heard that rotary is quieter then DA?