Jiggsy

Are there any air-powered polishers worth recommending?

LI-S4

There a few worth looking at..<i>click the pics</i>

Believe it or not, the Griots Garage unit is real nice. And unlike many of the other Griots products, it isn't price over the top...

<a href="http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1004&SKU=10415"><img src="http://www.griotsgarage.com/images/products/lg/10415_LG.jpg"></a>

Another unit, worth the few bucks less, if you aren't going to use it everyday (longevity may ba concern on the less expensive equipment)

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/B000BN6GL8/ref=dp_nav_0/104-6496561-5310300?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi"><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000BN6GL8.01-A1K91FMNH68JLM._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg"></a>

Last one to consider, and I have had pretty good luck with products from Harbor Freight when used for light duty...

<a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4196"><img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/04100-04199/04196.gif"></a>

I just bought the Chicago Pneumatic Small Area Repair Tools (SMART) 3" Mini Air Polisher Kit, primarily for working in tough spots... on the rockers, the lower edge of the front bumper, and on the spokes of my wheels...

<a href="http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/cp7201p.html"><img src="http://store1.yimg.com/I/sjdiscounttools_1877_5430954"></a>

Now for my $0.02... If you are going to buy a RO Polisher stick with the Porter Cable electric unit. It is much easier to manage without doing damage to your paint. The air driven polishers will connect to either a quick disconnect...
<img src="http://www.ohlheiser.com/products/cejn/plug.jpg"> <img src="http://www.ohlheiser.com/products/cejn/cplgfull.jpg">

...or to a direct thread fitting to the unit. The hoses and connectors are very rigid (they have to manage upwards of 150psi) and even with a 360 degree swivel..

<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/46100-46199/46123.gif">

..the likelihood of tagging your paint is great... Compared to the soft and flexible electric cable which won't do much damage.

You also don't have to deal with the heat generated by the air powered ROP concentrated right in the palm of your hand.

I opted for the air powered small unit because the only good unit I found that was electric was battery powered..although a good alternative if you are interested in a small one is the Porter Cable 4" adapter and pads...

Jiggsy

recently purchased an air-compressor so I figured maybe I'll put it to good use with a polisher- but I am probably better off just getting the electric RO porter-cable. the harborfreight unit may be worth hitting though for light duty jobs...hmmm..

thanks again!

LI-S4

I know the feeling...I have the compressor and often find myself trying to find other ways to make it useful..

I use the die grinder, cut-off wheel, right angle die grinder with RoLoc surfacing pads and micro-die grinder alot.

I use it for blowing water off the car after washing, but I think I am going to stop doing that...it tends to spit oil on occasion. I will be going back to using the vacumn to draw water out instead of just blowing it around.

I bought a drill last year...lots of torque, but low speed. And of course the obligatory impact wrench, and right angle 3/8" air ratchet.

I have a small sand blaster that comes in handy, and a grease gun I use for greasing my sway bars. Also, have a brad nailer and a framing nailer.

Jiggsy

yeah, I bought the compressor and a brad nail kit (Porter Cable actually) for a project- hung some chair rails in the nursery- and I was so psyched at the ease of use I started looking into all the other tools I could buy for it. Next on teh list is a ratchet and impact wrench. &lt;clicks onto Harborfreight.com&gt;

LI-S4

The Harbor Freight tools are reasonable for home use.

I bought the micro grinder and the hose come off after a short time. A small hose clamp fixed it. I am still ahead of had I bought it from a more expensive supplier.

For an item like a brad nailer or my framing nail gun, both Porter Cable and both items that get a ton of use, I stay with the name brands. But I'd have to buy four Taiwanese die grinders from HF before I met the cost of one domestic..and with the light use they get...well it isn't worth the price of pro tools.

The 3" Randome Orbit polisher showed up today. It has a 3" and 2" Velcro backing plate, two foam pads and a bunch of surfacing pads... It's solid and works just fine.