UK Random Orbital Sander - Same as PC ?

[Hudson]

I have seen a post with one of our members who purchased an orbital sander from B & Q for about £20 or so, and i think the Megs 5'' pads fit onto it !!

I understand it has the same type of movement as the PC and given he has already used it on his car with what seems like good results can anybody tell me the difference between this and a PC.

[182_blue]

can you show us a link ?, the difference will probably be it will have less throw and less power, also probably wont be as adjustable, but im just guessing as i dont know what the machine is you mean, but one thing you can bet is people have tried and there isnt much that comes upto the pc at this moment that can be bought in the uk(not including rotary machines)

[db_abz]

I've got one, it's a Performance Power or something (snowing outside so I'm not going to the shed to check!), cost £19.99.

Tried to find a photo on B & Q's site but no luck.

It's got a velcro backing disc and 6 speeds, standard 6.5" buffing pads fit perfectly.
Never used a proper PC so can't compare but it does what I want from a machine polisher.
I think the biggest problem is that the PC has a very large orbit on its random orbital bit. Other machines have a smaller orbit and I feel that most of the orbital action is absorbed by the natural flex of the foam pad and the PC has enough of a movement to overcome this.

If I told you that although happy with what I've got, I'm still planning on buying a PC soon, that should tell you all you need to know!

Dave

[blr123]

There was thread the other day that had a picture of it........can't find it........but it was just the other day.

It's very high speed something like 4000 to 12000rpm!

Bryan

[yin]

is this the one
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/showpost.php?p=609&postcount=10

hello all by the way

[db_abz]

That looks like it!
Certainly takes the strain out of doing it by hand, successfully removed defects from my paint.
I've used it for cleaners, polishes,sealants and waxes, no problems.

Used it with PlastX last weekend to polish up my bath, OMG what a swirl and scratch-free bath I've got now!
Did wreck a LC polishing pad though, used it on speed 6 and the heat on the pad melted the glue holding the velcro bit to the pad, bugger!
I also wrecked another pad the same way a few weeks ago when I put an ultimate bonnet on it for wax removal at speed 6, I guess this is telling me that speed 6 is too much!

I still think that I'm missing out on something though, PC will be coming soon!

Dave

[Fru T Bunn]

I am going down this route (with massive thanks to Donnyboy) and will report anything I find. One thing I won't be doing is using speed 6 (cheers db_abz). I think the B&Q one is 430watt. I may get one with less oomph, let you all know anyway.

[donnyboy]

I got mine for £16 so it was no big loss if it didn't work out.;)

The machine is good for £20 and does the job for applying polish/glaze/sealants/wax.

I have never tryed it with swirl removers or a cutting pad so don't know what it would be like for paint correction. The most I have used is a Megs polishing pad and polish/glaze.

It does not have the same pad throw or power as the PC but would do you for a stop gap, and is easier than applying by hand.

For power and ability the PC is still the way to go.:)

[Hudson]

I found a Makita BO6040 today on the autogeek website, it is classed as a polisher and while being random orbital it can also be switched to direct orbital, meaning that this combines the abilities of the PC with a standard orbital polisher, 2 for 1 so to speak. I know these are about £230 or so in the uk but as an alternative to the pc and with an eye on the future should you need extra uuummfff for difficult scratches.... what do you all think.

[dennis]

i have one of those b&q polishers found it a tad to fierce. found a six speed polisher [silverline] 60quid spot u can find a speed that suites