Porter Cable vs Orbital polisher
Discussion
PC is a random orbital machine.
You'll need to buy a stepdown PSU so you can use it on UK mains.
I've just bought a Biltema dual-head machine for £60 from a nice Swedish e-Bay chap, delivered.
Will be interesting to see how it performs.
One thing I remember reading which has stuck with me is that it has a very torque motor, so even if you lean on it, the heads keep moving.
Don't envisage having to test that first hand, but I was surprised to hear that.
Also the PC doesn't go slow - 2500 rpm min for the 6" 7424 that's championed around the various detailing resellers and forums, the Biltema goes down to 100 rpm, IIRC and up to 3200.
An alternative is the 7" 7428 PC which is variable from 1K-3K.
You'll need to buy a stepdown PSU so you can use it on UK mains.
I've just bought a Biltema dual-head machine for £60 from a nice Swedish e-Bay chap, delivered.
Will be interesting to see how it performs.
One thing I remember reading which has stuck with me is that it has a very torque motor, so even if you lean on it, the heads keep moving.
Don't envisage having to test that first hand, but I was surprised to hear that.
Also the PC doesn't go slow - 2500 rpm min for the 6" 7424 that's championed around the various detailing resellers and forums, the Biltema goes down to 100 rpm, IIRC and up to 3200.
An alternative is the 7" 7428 PC which is variable from 1K-3K.
Edited by PJ S on Thursday 3rd May 02:54
An orbital is generally only usable for removing products like wax, replacing hand buffing. It won't "polish" in a strict sense of the word, whereas a PC7424 with polishing pads will polish/cut cut back the paint/clearcoat, usually enough to deal with most defects satisfactorily.
Budget about £180-200 to get one into the country and working with accesories like the step down transformer, some pads, the cables and plugs to convert it, ridiculous shipping etc.
Budget about £180-200 to get one into the country and working with accesories like the step down transformer, some pads, the cables and plugs to convert it, ridiculous shipping etc.
There are about to be a couple of important releases on PC-type machines. Meguiars are releasing a UK spec version, and then someone else (trying to find the link!) is also releasing a similar but upgraded spec one. There's a thread running on this on the Detailing World website, but generally, this upgraded version is due to be the mutt's and UK spec/guarantee too.
Probably the simplest way to describe is:
Good rotary; in the hands of a pro will cut paintwork down fast and efficiently, but in the hands of an amateur will burn the paint very easily.
Porter cable or similar; slower to do the job as it is gentler, but much safer for those not using them every day.
Good rotary; in the hands of a pro will cut paintwork down fast and efficiently, but in the hands of an amateur will burn the paint very easily.
Porter cable or similar; slower to do the job as it is gentler, but much safer for those not using them every day.
Anatol said:
also, don't try and compare rpm speeds between rotary and random orbit machines. The random orbit ones need to spin a lot faster for the same effect on the panel as a result of the locus they spin...
Tol
Tol
Not sure if that was a general comment or related to my reply above it, but you do realise the Biltema, like that of the other dual heads (Cyclo and Smart's) is random too?
Graeme H said:
Budget about £180-200 to get one into the country and working with accesories like the step down transformer, some pads, the cables and plugs to convert it, ridiculous shipping etc.
I wouldn't have thought it so expensive, not with the current exchange rate - £120-140 inc. transformer.
morebeanz said:
There are about to be a couple of important releases on PC-type machines. Meguiars are releasing a UK spec version, and then someone else (trying to find the link!) is also releasing a similar but upgraded spec one. There's a thread running on this on the Detailing World website, but generally, this upgraded version is due to be the mutt's and UK spec/guarantee too.
Thing is though, that Meguiars' one has been talked about for absolutely ages. So much so, it's mythical status is almost legendary!
PJ S said:
morebeanz said:
There are about to be a couple of important releases on PC-type machines. Meguiars are releasing a UK spec version, and then someone else (trying to find the link!) is also releasing a similar but upgraded spec one. There's a thread running on this on the Detailing World website, but generally, this upgraded version is due to be the mutt's and UK spec/guarantee too.
Thing is though, that Meguiars' one has been talked about for absolutely ages. So much so, it's mythical status is almost legendary!
True, but the uprated one that I referred to is due out soon too, and is expected to be even better...
Probably the same one I got to deal for £60.
pssalomon? If so, then that's him and I'll be sorting mine out next week once the MIL's garden has been finished.
Just out of curiosity, how have you found it to be over those 12 months? Reliable and worth the punt on?
pssalomon? If so, then that's him and I'll be sorting mine out next week once the MIL's garden has been finished.
Just out of curiosity, how have you found it to be over those 12 months? Reliable and worth the punt on?
Edited by PJ S on Thursday 3rd May 20:12
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