THought on this buffer?

[MARCTHEDUBBS]

Saw this Craftsman buffer on sale. Wondered if anyone has used on. Overall, pretty good reviews.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-in-bu ... D=11092214

[crash93ssei]

Nothing more then a paperweight. You will not be able to do any type of paint correction with it as the surface area is just too big and the motor just doesn't have the power. It would basically be OK at best for removing wipe on wipe off type waxes. If you want a good orbital for a cheaper price look at harbor freight and their 6" DA polisher, it is pretty highly recommended for DIYers at home working on their own stuff.

[MARCTHEDUBBS]

Thanks for the input. I'll look at the Harbor Freight one.

[BLKEB9006]

I have a brand new Porter Cable 7424xp up for grabs if interested.

[haro1225]

I have the harbor freight one and I like it.

[CMNTMXR57]

Flex 3401 VRG > than all other electric polishers/buffers/waxers/etc.

Yes, it's more expensive than that Crapsman. Yes, it's more expensive than anything at harbor freight. Yes, it's a little more expensive than the Porter Cable 7424 (which the two are often compared together), but it is an investment and will run circles around them (no pun intended).

[crash93ssei]

Actually the Rupes Bigfoot series has taken over much of the Flex world and now the Griot's BOSS polishers have taken it a bit further even with more power and better ergonomics. At the end of the day though I can use my Griot's 6" and do everything you can do with your Flex, just takes a little more time is all and I believe the Flex (and newer long throw polishers as well) don't vibrate as much.

If you're looking based mostly on price, the Harbor Freight da can't be beat and will do just fine. A step up would the the Griot's or PC, but Griot's is definitely recommended. Once you leave that ball park you get into the ranks of Flex, Rupes, Griot's BOSS, and a few other long throw da copies. They are all more expensive then a traditional 8 mm throw da but have great improvements that are well worth the money.

Though my two previous paragraphs may seem to contradict each other, they don't. Long story short what I am saying is the less expensive machines can most of it not all of the work as the more expensive ones, and keep in mind also that much of the result you turn out is because of your skill and not the mach8ne. The best tool in the hands of someone that had no clue how to use it or doesn't care will yield terrible results whereas even a Harbor Freight polisher can produce perfect paint in skilled hands.

[CMNTMXR57]

But that speed is important factor when you're doing a full vehicle, not just one panel. That time adds up.

It's kinda like a wrench. You can have a 1/2" bolt/nut to tighten or loosen. You can use either a 1/2" wrench (box, open end, combination, etc), OR you can use a ratchet with a 1/2" socket and be done quicker/easier. Both will get the job done. But which is more efficient.

[CMNTMXR57]

And I'm not against cheap buffers, I've had my fair share of them (Crapsman, WEN, and probably a few others). After burning through them though, I decided to spend as an investment and get what was the best polisher at that time.

I also work for Sears, so I want you to buy our stuff because the more you buy, the more secure my job is, but again, I buy once and buy right the first time.

[crash93ssei]

Crapsman and Wen never made any polishers that were anything more then paperweights

[CMNTMXR57]

Which I wholeheatedly agree with.