mb12345

Hi folks,

I need your opinion on this Craftsman cordless random orbital buffer/polisher/waxer which is on sale at Sears:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00910724000

Some of the specs/data for this buffer are:
Price: $40 (can be $30 with a $10 off coupon)
Voltage: 12V
Speed: 3000 RPM
Random orbits/minute: 2600
Pad type: Chemical-resistant, 3-layer-foam, 7" diameter
Weight: 4.72 lbs
Only one speed , there is no speed control, just a on/off switch
Battery time: Specs say the battery will last 40 mins
Additional power source: Can be run on 12V car battery by using the 12V output in the car

The reason I am buying a cordless buffer is because that is the only type I can use. I live in a high rise building and no access to garage or a place where I can use a corded rotary buffer. So the higher end PC7424 or similar buffers are ruled out.

How good or bad do you think this Craftsman buffer would be? My expectation is to use it once every 2 months for polishing, waxing. It may not be very good at removing swirls, but thats the compromise I am willing to make.

Is a 7" buffer slightly bigger to use compared to 6"? Can this buffer cause any major damage to the paint? Since the speed is constant at 2600rpm, is this a good speed to use a buffer?

Per the specs, the battery last for 40 mins per charge. However, it can also run on the 12V power supply from the car.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts,
MB

flipside909

Porter Cable seems to be the professional's choice in auto buffer. But for the occasional detail job, that Craftsman buffer seeme like a great deal.

jfelbab

No cordless buffer I've seen will do a good job with polishes. They are ok for applying and removing an LSP. They just don't have the power or battery life.

superpats

Sounds too cheap and the speed is kinda slow to really be effective w/polishes (firm believer in you get what you pay for). Also 40 minutes is not hardly enough time to do a detail on a car. If all your going for is to put on a glaze or polymer wax then I say go for it. Being that your in the situation of not having power supply because you live in a high rise and do not have a garage this might really be your only option. So go ahead and take the $30 plunge and let us know if it was worth it.

mb12345

The battery life is 40 minutes, but it also runs on the 12V power supply from the cigarette lighter adapter. I will try it on my old car this weekend before I use it on the Lexus.