Want advice on a buffer

[4Speed]

Looking to purchase a electric buffer. What should I get (dont want a piece of crap) for a fiberglass boat?

[gfinch]

Spend the $$$ once. Get a buffer that body shops use. Variable speed is a must. Slow speed is a must. Torque is a must. I have a Milwaukee others are Makita, Bosch....

[1BadAction]

Makita 9227C. has all speed settings in a dial to control how fast is runs with a full trigger pull. the trigger is infinitely variable and soft start so you can ramp it up softly and not sling compound everywhere.

I got mine from a local tool store. was about 20 bucks more than mail order, but if it ever breaks out of warranty they'll fix it for the cost of parts only.

[Hottrucks]

Spend the $$$ once. Get a buffer that body shops use. Variable speed is a must. Slow speed is a must. Torque is a must. I have a Milwaukee others are Makita, Bosch....

I have the Makita model 9227C also KEEP in Mind WEIGHT it doesn't sound like a big thing till yo have been running it sideways/upside down for a couple hours

Variable speed ..... knob not trigger
soft start
velcro backing
reversable handle

I love it....now that I have had it a few years I wish I had spent the $$ sooner

[Bruster]

I got an old 2 speed Craftsman. The SOB is SO LOUD I have to wear shooting muffs when I use it. It just won't die, but I'm going to replace it with something good & quiet sometime soon.

[Cobra1racer]

I got an old 2 speed Craftsman. The SOB is SO LOUD I have to wear shooting muffs when I use it. It just won't die, but I'm going to replace it with something good & quiet sometime soon.

hahahahaa. I went through several of those, a new one every 1.5 years. I switched to a makita, 71/2" buffer grinder. This puppy has worked like a dog and has been kicked around like a red headed step child. I love it. I've never used one of them funky orbital buffers, no use for it. Just watch out you don't burn the surface. It's all in the pad, get a good one.

[Bruster]

Wow, I bought this one in the late 70's. My old buffer burned up and I needed 1 for finishing my Corvette. I can't count the cars and boats I've used this one on. I adapted a velcro backing plate and never looked back. But boy has it got LOUD. I just can't make it quit.

hahahahaa. I went through several of those, a new one every 1.5 years. I switched to a makita, 71/2" buffer grinder. This puppy has worked like a dog and has been kicked around like a red headed step child. I love it. I've never used one of them funky orbital buffers, no use for it. Just watch out you don't burn the surface. It's all in the pad, get a good one.

[mr_velocity]

Makita 9227C. has all speed settings in a dial to control how fast is runs with a full trigger pull. the trigger is infinitely variable and soft start so you can ramp it up softly and not sling compound everywhere.

I got mine from a local tool store. was about 20 bucks more than mail order, but if it ever breaks out of warranty they'll fix it for the cost of parts only.

I bought one a couple years ago based on the recommendations of S&F. Great advice, the 9227 is a very nice piece

[Cobra1racer]

Wow, I bought this one in the late 70's. My old buffer burned up and I needed 1 for finishing my Corvette. I can't count the cars and boats I've used this one on. I adapted a velcro backing plate and never looked back. But boy has it got LOUD. I just can't make it quit.

Back in the day if a power tool went bad, you could walk in with the old one and walk out with a new one. No questions asked. You better hold on to it, a new one will never last as long. back when Sears had a good name.

[benski]

When you get rich and famous, and after you've purchased your Makita, check out a random orbit from Griot's Garage. Nice and light, smooth, and with their pads and polishing compounds, impossible to burn finishes.Just my $.02

[twogees]

flex or porter cable makes an awesome da polisher.. variable speed works great .

i love my dewalt... has same features as the makita..the only reason i liked the makita better was for the center handle.
(i do alot of upside down polishing) but dewalt fixed that and just came out with one.

use it everyday and has never broke. and trust me i use and abuse the heck out of em.
i use the quick release pads.no backing plate. always centered and you dont have to worry about the backing plate breaking or velcro coming off. plus the pads are double sided. GL.

[Scott in MN]

We use 4 or 5 variable speed Makitas at the shop. Orbitals are good for final finishing but if you are wetsanding you better have a rotary style with a wool pad. The Makita will slow down enough for a final finish with a foam polish pad. If you can only buy one get the Makita....

[Stealth Assassin]

I got an old 2 speed Craftsman. The SOB is SO LOUD I have to wear shooting muffs when I use it. It just won't die, but I'm going to replace it with something good & quiet sometime soon.

Brushes maybe???

[williamsdetailing]

I've used a makita for years, but now-a-days im using dewalt. The dewalt just feels better in my hands.

[ghost28]

I've used a makita for years, but now-a-days im using dewalt. The dewalt just feels better in my hands.

the dewalt is a twin to my trusty Snap on wheel i have had for years...i have to agree that when using the dewalt/snap on they just feel like an extension of your arms.....the makita is a killer unit and i have used one for a few jobs but i love what i have.....