Have you purchased a cordless buffer and what is your opinion?

 

Couple questions just for clarity ...are you referring to a random orbital buffer like

THIS

THIS

(for like waxing)? Or like a larger 7" rotary buffer/polisher like

THIS

THIS

Milwaukee ....for buffing out scratches or wetsanded paint? Also....was there a brand you had in mind? Are you invested in a certain tool brand now... e.g. Milwaukee or DeWalt/Makita, where you already have batteries you can use?

I haven't used the 7" buffer/polisher, but I have used a Milwaukee M18 variable speed grinder quite a bit. I'll just throw out some thoughts based on my grinding and other cordless tool experiences. And hope to hear what others who've used the tool think.

I have a lot of respect for the quality and smoothness (and durability) of Milwaukee tools, specifically. The more recent 28xx or 29xx series angle grinders have a lot more power and longevity compared to even brushless grinders of a couple yrs ago. A lot of the youtube grinder battery life-expectancy tests don't really represent real-world use. For example, you'll see battery test where the grinder will run (for example) 19 minutes non-stop. That's helpful, but most people do intermittent use on projects. For my own experience for doing metal fabrication, I can (and have many times) gone a whole day doing metal fabrication work or bodywork (welding on new panels etc) with just a 3ah High-Output battery on a Milwaukee 2889 grinder (slow speed). That's grinding...stopping to fit parts, weld parts, then grind, weld other parts, grind, repeat 50 more times ...etc. I love the convenience of Milwaukee corded grinders, I now have 3 cordless grinders (different makes but all brushless) one with a cutting disc one with a grinding wheel, another with a flap disc. Battery life, which everyone worries about, hasn't been an issue at all the WAY I use the grinder/s. Others might be different. And the older brushed grinders were not nearly as efficient. I literally haven't touched my corded grinder since last spring, other than to move it out of the way!! If I was grinding welds on a 36" Alaskan oil pipeline continuously, I would want a 120v electric grinder for sure.

If a guy was spot-buffing a wetsanded hood or part of a car, I think a cordless buffer like the Milwaukee listed above would work fantastic. No fighting with the cord. Grab and go. If a guy has wetsanded and is buffing an entire car, as long as you have enough batteries, or the ability to stop and take a lunch break (let the battery charge), I would think one would work fine. But I'll let people who own one chime in. If a guy was looking to just add shine to a car or using a wax polisher (not a lot of down-pressure), then a cordless one ...I wouldn't be afraid to use that. It should be super convenient.

Batteries make a difference. I think the ideal owner would be one who already has perhaps some cordless tools ....and batteries of the same brand (Milwaukee/DeWalt/Makita), and has expectations that battery tools have limitations that you may need to work around (or not). And better yet, a prospective cordless buffer buyer already owns the better-grade high-output type batteries which use 27100-type cells. These batteries pack more punch, greater longevity...perform better for high-drain tools. They are almost a must-have for saws, grinders and high-torque impacts & other high-demand devices. You get more useful life out of the newer, larger H-O batteries. If you were to use a 18v/20v cordless circular saw to rip a piece of 3/4" plywood the long way, you'd notice the difference between the cheaper batteries supplied with most "kits" vs the High-Output batteries. If you aren't currently "invested" in a tool system now...then buying a tool-only buffer, and a 6ah "High-Output" battery, (that's the 'better battery'), ....then buy a charger separately from ebay, would probably be the route I would go. Almost every kit guys buy come with a charger ...and guys re-sell the extras they don't need.

THESE

THESE

H-O batteries are a really good deal right now (half off!). Makita & DeWalt run deals too now and then.

Electric buffers used to be straight-forward. Some of the electric 120V buffers these days don't impress me. Take the Makita. Great Company...great tools (usually). Their 7" buffer uses some kind of a soft-start algorithm to try to anticipate the users intentions...which often 'fights' me...resulting in jumpy fast starts and slinging compound all over the shop! It's frustrating. You can read about it online. On mine..not that old (they might have changed the design since), the molded cord-end by the tool is angled downward ...to try to make it "convenient" and easier on the cord. But that only works if a guy is buffing the edge of a hood and no more! All other times the cord wants to drag on the panel/roof, etc. It's frustrating. Great construction, but horrible features! Milwaukee buffers are kind of heavy but last forever. DeWalt buffers tend to run hot, but guys like them the best. Most import ones are not variable speed from 0-RPM. Read the reviews C-A-R-E-F-U-L-L-Y by guys who do it for a living, and beware of so-called "features" on a corded (or cordless) buffer designed by 'engineers' who never buff cars! I haven't read any red flags on the Milwaukee M18 buffers.

Sorry for the long-winded non-response. Hopefully it helps put things into perspective and gives you food for thought. I wouldn't be afraid to get a Milwaukee. Maybe soon I will ...if I see a deal I can't pass up! LOL. Makita and DeWalt make great cordless tools also. Was there a particular buffer you were looking at? Do you have a tool 'system' now?

 

Note:
One other thing I thought about ....for guys who might be looking at a Milwaukee 7" buffer. The one currently listed is the 2738. That's actually a couple yrs old model version. Milwaukee grinders are now into the 29xx model range (or higher).

I wouldn't be surprised if Mil releases an updated version of that buffer sometime soon. One which has greater capabilities and improved battery life. I don't have any line-of-sight if they are. But since buffers are somewhat like grinders, newer models with newer electronics generally outperform older ones. OTOH, when they DO release new grinders (for example), they aren't usually discounted much right away.

 

Looking at a Ryobi just for car polishing , Have the 18 volt batterys (6). I use there led lights,vacuum,tire compressor etc. For just car detailing my own personal vehicles! Thanks for your reply!

 

Got it. I have some Ryobi tools too. They work great for their intended purposes.

I see they have 4 different style buffer/polishers (10", 6", 5", 3"). The Amazon reviews are good for all of them. Was there a particular one you were looking at? I haven't used them but for non-demanding use ...If you have like a 4ah battery, I personally think they would work fine for their intended purposes. Hopefully someone here will chime in with real-world experience. If not, do a google search and type in 'forums' after your search string.

I bought their tire pump recently ($24 Home Depot xmas sale)...it works great. Pumped up a skid steer tire yesterday (lot of air there!) and it worked beautifully. Car tires usually 3.50 min per tire from 0-25psi.

 

I want cordless for sure Milwaukee makes a nice cordlesss but which one? Ryobi was not written up very well,plus depot has been poor on warranty products! I might check out Lowes for Kobalt tools have a lot of quality.

 

Amazon has the same buffer for $35. Click below the price where it says "More buying Choices".

I wouldn't worry about a warranty at that price. You'll spend more than that on your next half-tank of fuel. Besides, I think it's brushed. Brushed motors usually fail from overheating. Most use the 775 or 550 universal motors which can be bought cheap to replace....between $9-$18 in not too much time. Or even just replace the backing plate where the brush assembly melts . I think the last one I bought was $3 from ebay/Temu ...or somewhere.

95% of the tools people throw away (as I see at our dump) can be fixed real easy with a little time. Better yet, allow brushed motor-devices cool down periodically like the directions say & keep clean/dry. Keep clean and dry. Brushless tools are more efficient, but have more electronics which make them more difficult & not cost-effective to repair (usually).

So yeah, there are some less expensive purchasing options out there. I buy quite a few used...or new/used Ryobi and Milwaukee tools from ebay or Amazon (used). Personally never had one fail, maybe I've been lucky.

 

What buffer did you end up buying (if anything yet)?

 

A 18 volt Ryobi and if that does not satisfy me next cordless will be a Milwaukee and on to a rupus. Money is no object but cordless a must. Ryobi coming December 18 2024. I wonder who makes that for Ryobi?

 

Cool! Is it the Wax-type buffer? New, ..with variable speed? I think that was a wise buy. Drop back once you've used it. Leave a quick "impressions" review...for the rest of us if you would. I think a lot of fellow vetter's would be interested in the utility of something like that.

Ryobi is owned by TTI. Same parent company which owns/produces Milwaukee tools, Rigid and Hart(walmart brand), Homelite, and more. Milwaukee is like their 'Cadillac' flagship line, and Ryobi more like the Chevrolet...er...Geo-brand in their tool pecking order. (Note...same thing with B-D/Stanley: DeWalt is the flagship line then ->Craftsman->Porter Cable->Black-Decker-> ..and others). The old Craftsman cordless tools back when sears owned them used to be made by Ryobi. And they were pretty good. Craftsman/Porter Cable kind of suck now...if you ask me. And hey! FWIW....My buddy still drives Geo Metro's daily!! LOL. They get 50+ mpg ...and will literally last forever if maintained.

I would assume Ryobi makes it. If it's the new variable speed one, it's like their Gen II (or III)...so it should have the weak points engineered out I would think. I personally have a bunch of Milwaukee...but also several Ryobi cordless tools. I love Ryobi tools and they definitely have their place. But you have to treat them nice and stay within their boundries ...like a lovely, delicate [um...green] lady.

 

Nice buffer light weight 18 volt ! Not expensive but you do need to purchase battery and charger if you do not have. My dislikes the instructions on the tools i received in a plastic envelope are not there. A allen wrench to do what with extra bolts i guess,goes where? Compared to Harbor freight this is far superior in every detail,plus a couple of cutting and polishing pads.AS far as Milwaukee unless you are in business this is a great PBF100 buffing and polishing tool for any one at the price and shows like a high end tool.

 

Yes, I’ve purchased a cordless buffer before and found it really useful for mobility, though the battery life can be hit or miss depending on how long you run it. That made me start comparing it to other cordless tools I use, like a cordless impact wrench with 3 gears. With both, the balance between power, weight, and battery efficiency really matters. I like that NewBeny offers practical options, but I’d be curious what others think about the reliability and performance of these cordless impact wrenches in regular use.