The Makings Of A Better Random Orbital.

Detailers and paint polishing guys are dropping fat cash on machines these days.  How much?

Spending upwards of $400 these days on a technologically advanced rotary polisher is not uncommon.  Case in point; the Festool Shinex RAP 150 FE Rotary Polisher.

Spending $525 on what many believe to be the best dual mode  machine on the market… not unreasonable  at all.  The Festool Rotex RO 150 FEQ Dual Mode Sander allows the user to switch between random orbit or forced rotation modes.  Although categorized as a sander, it can be successfully used as a dual mode polisher, too.

What about the random orbital?  Now that it has undoubtedly proven itself to be more than capable for heavy defect removal and final polishing, doesn’t it deserve some respect?  Currently, the most expensive random orbital I know of (featuring a large enough stroke to sufficiently rotate the backing plate with a buffing pad in tow) is the Cyclo Model 5 Pro Polisher.

While it is a beautifully built machine (made in the USA, aluminum housing, quiet, and best-in-class balancing mechanism), it’s certainly not for everyone.  The machine uses a dual head design, and each head is designed to motivate 4″ diameter pads.  In addition, it falls short in the speed department, delivering a maximum of 3,000 orbits per minute.  Recently, Cyclo added a variable speed dial, which is a big leap forward.

If only Cyclo would offer up the best features of the Model Pro 5 in a single-head,  high speed machine.  Ah, what a beauty she would be!  Certainly, it could potentially command a price in the range of $300-$450.  To reach the high side of this price estimate, they would have to offer maximum backing plate rotation, unrivaled balancing, high OPM capability, and an ultra-quiet operating dB level.

But then, there is a machine that offers as much or more intrigue than the theoretical Cyclo single-head machine.  Take a day to guess, to ponder, to dream.  I’ll write about this machine… in my next post.

As always, I welcome your comments… fire away!

 

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5 Responses to The Makings Of A Better Random Orbital.

  1. greg nichols says:

    The dynabrade head on a rotary?

    • Kevin Brown says:

      Oh Greg… you are good! But alas, this is not the machine I was thinking of. I will certainly write about the Dynabrade Dual Action Buffing Head. Thanks for reading and commenting.

  2. Eric Witt. says:

    Great post, I do like how quiet the Cyclo is, but trying to maneuver it around tight quarters really sucks. and the Rotex polisher I hear is extremely loud. I am just wandering what machine you could be thinking of? not the Flex, Not the Dynabrade attatchment. I know it’s not the Typical 7424/Griots/G110? What could it be?

    • Kevin Brown says:

      Wow, has it been a day already?!

      Barry, the one I was referring to IS from Italy! R.U.P.E.S. aka Rupes offers a few very intriguing machines.

      There is also one very capable machine that ships from… Finland!

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