Rotary polishers I recommend
Flex PE 14-1-180
When it comes to circular aka rotary polishers, there are many on the market but a select number truly do outshine the rest In terms of lifespan, specifications like power, torque, efficiency as well as their performance, features and ergonomics.
The first of a handful of truly great machines is the FLEX PE 14-180 from the German manufacturer who make a variety of high quality high performance tools that can take a beating and keep on doing the work you demand from them.
Why did I choose the 14-1-180 over the more popular 14-2-150 you may be thinking?
It’s simple, this one has an even lower speed range of 250 - 1380 rpm and has the capability to handle anything from a very small pad to a huge 250 mm polishing or grinding pad whereas the 14-2-150 starts at 380 and goes to 2100. Both are superb but the lower starting speed and ideal speed range for polishing as well as the capability of the 180 model to handle anything from 1 inch to 10 inch pads is why it is my choice. With either Flex though you are in great hands. Plenty of power, torque and whilst being a little louder than a Makita rotary from Japan due to different type of gearing, they are smooth and powerful at the same time.
Whilst pricey, they will stand the test of time and with optimum polishing speeds today of 200 to 1200 rpm max really, this has all the specs and abilities that detailers are looking for.
Technical Specs
Power consumption - 1400 Watts
Max polishing pad size - 250 mm
Speeds - 250 - 1380 rpm
Cable length 4.0 metres
Cable type - PUR
Dimensions WxLxH 405 x 84 x 117 mm
Weight - 2.3 kg
Spindle thread - M 14
Price - $750-800
My Rating: 9/10 A great Buy
Mirka ARP-B 3 inch
The Mirka ARP-B cordless rotary polisher is a powerhouse of a machine with precision engineering and whilst probably the most expensive of any polisher on the market as is it’s random orbital brother, the AROP-B, they have a feature that so many other polishers fail to have - whisper quiet operation. It’s more like a quiet hum and that plus it’s performance and reliability as well as brushless motor and bluetooth connectivity and the my mirka app which allows you to track vibration measurement and many more cool functions.
Whilst not in everyone’s budget, this little beast is more than capable of doing the edgework, spot sanding mark removal and paint correction in areas that only a two or three inch machine can fit into and so much more.
This tool is for those who appreciate a very low maintenance tool and freedom of movement with such a small machine
The only thing it’s missing is a trigger lock but that is probably in the works right now.
Team this up with the Mirka Pro Iridium 1250 for sanding mark removal and finish polishing in one step.
TIP: Wait for an upgraded model with new trigger lock feature
Technical Specs
Pad Diameter - 77 to 90 mm
Voltage - 10.8 VDC
Speed - 1,500-2,000 rpm
Connectivity - Bluetooth
Weight - 0.87kg
Price - $920-1500 (without or with batteries and charger)
My rating - 10/10 The pinnacle of small rotary polishers
Metabo PE 15-20 RT
This is the latest offering from Metabo who have made some excellent high performance power tools in Germany for a very long time
By far the best rotary polisher they have ever created, this 1500 watt monster is a high performer and one of if not the most affordably priced German made polishers on the market in the high four hundred dollar price range, almost half that of some european rotaries.
Having tested one of these which Metabo sent me, I can say that whilst not looking super rugged, it packs a serious punch and has overload protection and if the brushes are worn out the machine shuts down to prevent extra wear or damage to internal components.
It is smooth, comfortable and is a newer detailers ideal first high quality rotary polisher due to being at the same price range of the trusty old Hitachi and Makita rotaries which have served thousands of detailers globally since the 1990’s.
The 1500 watt motor is more than capable of taking any abuse that you throw at it.
If you want a top quality european rotary without the stupidly high price tag, this is the best deal out there for sure.
100 watts more input power than the FLEX and plenty of torque to do the job. Most real cheap rotaries hunt through the revs and bog down under any amount of pressure, this one will not.
Technical Specs
Max Pad size - 180 mm
Power - 1500 Watts
Speeds - 300 - 1900 rpm
Torque - 18 Nm
Spindle thread - M 14
Weight - 2.4 kg
Noise Level DB - 79
Price - $480
My rating - 8.5/10 the best metabo rotary ever made period!
De Walt DCM849N-XJ
This rotary polisher is an excellent cordless solution for polishing applications. It’s powered by a brushless motor which gives it plenty of power and performance. The one small downside with this machine is the high starting speed of 800 rpm but its still able to finish down. The ideal starting and finishing speeds with these types of machines is between 200 and 600 rpm.
It features a variable speed dial and trigger lock and fatigue free operation and the 18V XR battery is rotated 90° to avoid contact with the surface. It’s starting price (machine only) of $380 is slightly less than it’s main competitors and although requiring the purchase of separate batteries and charger which can make it more expensive but if you already own any Dewalt tools, those batteries and charger should power and recharge this tool for you, eliminating any extra expense.
One of my training students purchased this machine and brought it all the way from Melbourne to Adelaide for his three day training and after the first day was producing results with it and all types of pads with either the faintest holograms or none whatsoever. So this tool is more than capable
Technical specs
Max Pad size - 180 mm
Power - 1200 Watts
Speeds - 800-2200 rpm
Spindle thread M 14
Weight - 1.9 kg
Noise Level DB - 83
Price - $440-480
My Rating - 8/10 - An excellent offering from De Walt which stands up to it’s predecessor the DWP 849X-XE
Makita 9237
The trusty old Makita 9227 and it’s latest version the 9237 are bulletproof rock solid polishers that take an absolute beating and keep on motoring on doing the work it was meant to do and never have a problem. Released to global markets in the early to mid 1990’s I believe, it was brilliantly designed and has proven it’s worth and staying power on the market with an incredible lifespan. The brushes last almost forever as I experienced with my first Makita, over nine years on one set of brushes from use daily for most of each week for all those years. As for specifications of this tool, the speed settings are excellent - 600 to 3200 rpm. It’s 1200 watt motor is more than powerful enough to take the pressure of daily use and especially those who like to add more than the desirable amount of pressure when polishing paint. I have owned three of these and still have one now and not one has ever failed me.
It’s angle cut gear set makes it a little quieter than typical European made rotary polishers and it’s only real downside is it’s weight which is around 3.2 kg, not as heavy as some other polishers on the market which can weigh up to 5 kg.
It’s price point today is around $450 and like the Metabo rotary which is still in the mid to high four hundred dollar range and a brilliant machine as well, makes it a really good purchase for anyone wanting to get a rotary that is guaranteed to stand the test of time and able to perform at all times whenever they need to. The only person this tool is not ideal for are those who pick up a demo model at a tool shop and say it’s too heavy or who have been used to 1.7 to 2.5 kg polishers.
Technical specs
Max Pad size - 180 mm / Power: 1200 Watts
Speeds: 600 - 3200 - 1900 rpm
Spindle thread M 14
Weight - 3.2 KG
Noise Level DB - 83
Price - $440-480
My Rating - 9/10 - A purchase you will not regret unless your specifically wanting a very light weight machine