Porter Cable or Harbor Freight DA? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Botrod · 01-05-2015, 10:21 AM

I've seen on other forums people mentioning they use the harbor freight DA and feel it works well. Others swear by the Porter Cable and wouldn't consider anything else. I'm not going to use the crap out of it but do have several vehicles and a boat I like to keep nice.

Would the harbor freight work well enough or is the PC worth the extra $40?

CamaroDreams07 · 01-05-2015, 10:35 AM

Never used the harbor freight. I can only further endorse the PC. I wouldn't skimp on $40 when it comes to tools.

Adam's Polishes · 01-05-2015, 11:27 AM

Function wise they're virtually the same, at least in terms of what they're capable of doing. Its the 'other stuff' that separates them.

The HF is NOISY and thats saying a lot b/c the PC isn't exactly quiet. The HF feels like a budget tool, where the PC at least feels like a quality product. They both vibrate a good amount, but the HF is far less comfortable to use for long periods of time.

Neither one is perfect, but if it were me, I'd spend the extra $$ (its really not that much in the grand scheme of things) and go with the PC as its a time tested work horse of a tool.

Lombardi · 01-05-2015, 11:57 AM

I honestly prefer my HF over PC. My PC vibrates WAY to much. Too the point where after a single panel my hands hurt. Very uncomfortable. I do plan on upgrading tho to a better polisher that doesn't vibrate like the PC and is better quality then a HF

- "Life's too short to drive a boring car"

Joe M 2012 2SS · 01-05-2015, 09:12 PM

I use a Griots Garage which is essentially the same machine as those. If I was choosing between the those two, I would go with the Porter Cable.

PC is the original manufacturer of the free spinning DA, and have a 1 year warranty while HF has only a 90 day. The griots has a lifetime warranty, that is why I selected it.

If I had it to do all over I would have gotten the Flex forced rotation DA.

This is a good video that explains the difference in polishing machines.

rozay · 01-05-2015, 09:33 PM

i got the HF and i have no complaints with it. works very well. just follow this thread and your golden.
http://www.autopia.org/forums/polish...weak-mods.html

Botrod · 01-05-2015, 10:06 PM

I think I will go with the griots garage. It's a few bucks more than the pc but seems to be slightly more refined as well. Those flex models seem like more than I need being a novist polisher.

Joe M 2012 2SS · 01-05-2015, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botrod

I think I will go with the griots garage. It's a few bucks more than the pc but seems to be slightly more refined as well. Those flex models seem like more than I need being a novist polisher.

The PC is an good machine as well, I have seen fantastic results with it. These guys recommending it have way more experience using a DA polisher than I do.

The only reason I would now rather have the Flex is for the edges of the Camaro for easier correction, and overall faster correction.

The Griot's is a good machine IMO as well.

KBsSS · 01-07-2015, 07:44 AM

If your just doing the family cars and not doing it as a business the above mention one are fine.

This is coming from a novice who owns a griots. Keep and eye on some detail sites for sales.

Go to some detail forums and watch their videos.

Botrod · 01-07-2015, 09:24 AM

I bought the Griots. The price went down around $30 and I jumped on it. Ended up being less than $100 which I felt was the best bang for the buck. The HF would have been $71 shipped, and the PC $120

Joe M 2012 2SS · 01-07-2015, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botrod

I bought the Griots. The price went down around $30 and I jumped on it. Ended up being less than $100 which I felt was the best bang for the buck. The HF would have been $71 shipped, and the PC $120

If you haven't got them already, you'll need a 25 foot extension cord, and pads.

The machine comes with a 6" backing plate, and you'll need a 3" or 3.5" backing plate for smaller pads.

unstable vic · 01-15-2015, 11:01 AM

HF here. Paid like $40 with a coupon. Had it for 3 years. Works great with my Adams pads and polishes. Some people are not happy unless they spend more.

01-05-2015, 10:21 AM	#1
Botrod Drives: 2012 Inferno Orange SS Vert Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: PA Posts: 176	Porter Cable or Harbor Freight DA? I've seen on other forums people mentioning they use the harbor freight DA and feel it works well. Others swear by the Porter Cable and wouldn't consider anything else. I'm not going to use the crap out of it but do have several vehicles and a boat I like to keep nice. Would the harbor freight work well enough or is the PC worth the extra $40?

01-05-2015, 10:35 AM	#2
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	Never used the harbor freight. I can only further endorse the PC. I wouldn't skimp on $40 when it comes to tools. __________________ [B]

01-05-2015, 09:33 PM	#6
rozay Drives: camaro 2LS LFX A6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Florida Posts: 614	i got the HF and i have no complaints with it. works very well. just follow this thread and your golden. http://www.autopia.org/forums/polish...weak-mods.html __________________ Niche 20x10.5, BMR 1.25 springs, GFX splitter,1LE Diffuser w/ 3.5 quad tips

01-07-2015, 07:44 AM	#9
KBsSS Drives: 2013 Corvette 2LT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: West of the Burgh.. Posts: 480	If your just doing the family cars and not doing it as a business the above mention one are fine. This is coming from a novice who owns a griots. Keep and eye on some detail sites for sales. Go to some detail forums and watch their videos. __________________

01-05-2015, 11:27 AM	#3
Adam's Polishes Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the detail shop! Posts: 5,979	Function wise they're virtually the same, at least in terms of what they're capable of doing. Its the 'other stuff' that separates them. The HF is NOISY and thats saying a lot b/c the PC isn't exactly quiet. The HF feels like a budget tool, where the PC at least feels like a quality product. They both vibrate a good amount, but the HF is far less comfortable to use for long periods of time. Neither one is perfect, but if it were me, I'd spend the extra $$ (its really not that much in the grand scheme of things) and go with the PC as its a time tested work horse of a tool.

01-05-2015, 11:57 AM	#4
Lombardi Drives: 2010 ABM Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Waterbury Posts: 1,083	I honestly prefer my HF over PC. My PC vibrates WAY to much. Too the point where after a single panel my hands hurt. Very uncomfortable. I do plan on upgrading tho to a better polisher that doesn't vibrate like the PC and is better quality then a HF - "Life's too short to drive a boring car"

01-05-2015, 10:06 PM	#7
Botrod Drives: 2012 Inferno Orange SS Vert Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: PA Posts: 176	I think I will go with the griots garage. It's a few bucks more than the pc but seems to be slightly more refined as well. Those flex models seem like more than I need being a novist polisher.

01-07-2015, 09:24 AM	#10
Botrod Drives: 2012 Inferno Orange SS Vert Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: PA Posts: 176	I bought the Griots. The price went down around $30 and I jumped on it. Ended up being less than $100 which I felt was the best bang for the buck. The HF would have been $71 shipped, and the PC $120

01-15-2015, 11:01 AM	#12
unstable vic Account Suspended Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 342	HF here. Paid like $40 with a coupon. Had it for 3 years. Works great with my Adams pads and polishes. Some people are not happy unless they spend more.