Random Orbital Buffer Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Random Orbital Buffer Question
I used a Porter Cable Random Orbital Buffer at an NCRS Corvette show where Maguiars had a booth and let me wax a memeber's black Corvette. I was quite impressed with the machine.
Here's the question:
Maguiars charges over $200
Porter Cable Charges approx $179
Griots Garage Charges $129
They all look like they might be made by the same manufacturer.
What is the difference?
I don't want to skimp and get an inferior product or pay top dollar for the same machine sold by Griot
What say you all?
Looking for input and your personal expereince and suggestions
Thank you in advance,
Kurt
Here's the question:
Maguiars charges over $200
Porter Cable Charges approx $179
Griots Garage Charges $129
They all look like they might be made by the same manufacturer.
What is the difference?
I don't want to skimp and get an inferior product or pay top dollar for the same machine sold by Griot
What say you all?
Looking for input and your personal expereince and suggestions
Thank you in advance,
Kurt
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,277
Likes: 356
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
I used a Porter Cable Random Orbital Buffer at an NCRS Corvette show where Maguiars had a booth and let me wax a memeber's black Corvette. I was quite impressed with the machine.
Here's the question:
Maguiars charges over $200
Porter Cable Charges approx $179
Griots Garage Charges $129
They all look like they might be made by the same manufacturer.
What is the difference?
I don't want to skimp and get an inferior product or pay top dollar for the same machine sold by Griot
What say you all?
Looking for input and your personal expereince and suggestions
Thank you in advance,
Kurt
Here's the question:
Maguiars charges over $200
Porter Cable Charges approx $179
Griots Garage Charges $129
They all look like they might be made by the same manufacturer.
What is the difference?
I don't want to skimp and get an inferior product or pay top dollar for the same machine sold by Griot
What say you all?
Looking for input and your personal expereince and suggestions
Thank you in advance,
Kurt
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
That's what I had but I gave it away as it was to large and bulky.
I want the 6 inch one just need to know if there is a difference , other than price, between the various models I listed.
Kurt
I want the 6 inch one just need to know if there is a difference , other than price, between the various models I listed.
Kurt
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
I bought my Porter Cable on ebay at the best price I could find anywhere online.
Stick with the Porter if your going to use it much. The cheaper machines have bushings instead of bearings and are of a much lesser quality
Stick with the Porter if your going to use it much. The cheaper machines have bushings instead of bearings and are of a much lesser quality
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
I got a Porter Cable buffer from Lowe's on clearance because it didn't have a wrench or case; we were able to get it for $80.
When we went to the Good Guys car show in April, we stopped by the Meguiar's booth and were looking at their kit, and said, "You know, your polisher looks jus like our Porter Cable...I wonder if the polishing pads you guys have would fit."
The girl there said, "As a matter of fact, Porter Cable makes these for us; we just badge it as a Meguiar's product. But, our different buffing pads will definitely fit into the threads on the sander/polisher."
The Meguiar's polishing pads are really nice; the foam comes in different cell sizes and softness, depending on whether you're doing cutting, buffing, polishing, etc...If you've already got the Porter Cable sander/polisher, just buy the pads.
When we went to the Good Guys car show in April, we stopped by the Meguiar's booth and were looking at their kit, and said, "You know, your polisher looks jus like our Porter Cable...I wonder if the polishing pads you guys have would fit."
The girl there said, "As a matter of fact, Porter Cable makes these for us; we just badge it as a Meguiar's product. But, our different buffing pads will definitely fit into the threads on the sander/polisher."
The Meguiar's polishing pads are really nice; the foam comes in different cell sizes and softness, depending on whether you're doing cutting, buffing, polishing, etc...If you've already got the Porter Cable sander/polisher, just buy the pads.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Porter Cable is a very good machine. Maguires does not make theirs so its frome who knows where. That $99 deal is a very good one, but look around, you Might be able to snag a deal for that machine AND a bonus pack for less than the buffer plus the widgets to go with it. I have a 9" from sears and have used the hell out of it and just recently the pad died on it. For the $39 is was a very good buy.
my .02
my .02
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
Kurt, I also have the 6 inch Porter-Cable, but mine is a polisher, not a buffer.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
Go with the Porter Cable brand. After 37 years in automotive paint work I have found mine to be an excellent machine for applying wax and final buffing of new paint. Mine is about 7 years old and works great, but it won't replace a high speed polisher.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I picked up a Porter Cable 7424 detail kit from Adams at Carlisle. The kit included a quick release pad adapter along with 2 types of pads, polish, wax, over a 1/2 gallon of detail spray, fiber towels etc etc at a real nice show price. I'm very impressed with it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
GQ82
When you say quick release, do you mean the different pads attached via Velcro or did it require wrenches to remove and replace pads?
How much $ ?
Kurt
When you say quick release, do you mean the different pads attached via Velcro or did it require wrenches to remove and replace pads?
How much $ ?
Kurt
Last edited by ksbunting; Aug 31, 2007 at 10:13 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
If you are only using it to apply wax, you'll only use one or two pads so you won't need to change it a lot. The pads are washable.
Approx. prices:
Backing plate (hook & loop)- $20.00
Foam Pads - $10-$20 ea.
Pad and backing plate (yellow or black) - $7.00 ea.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
http://www.adamspolishes.com/default.aspx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 895
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Here's the Porter-Cable 7424 for $99 from CoastalTool.com
There are reasons prices differ and can arrange from screwin you to more functional and better quality parts (chinese vs American).
