Any reason a random orbit sander cannot be used as a polisher?

[autobon7]

Specifically I have a

BOSCH GEX18V-5N 18V and trying to avoid buying a stand alone polisher as I wont be using it often.​

 

[seber]

Polishers run at a much lower speed to avoid overheating and burning the wax.

 

[autobon7]

Polishers run at a much lower speed to avoid overheating and burning the wax.

The speed selector on the Bosch is 6000-10000 OPM and the Griots Garage G8 has 2000-6400 OPM. Was hoping I could get by on the lowest setting.

 

[dnschmidt]

Not enough throw (orbit size) you need a lot of throw to polish anything with random orbit machines. The big boys are 21mm and the best all-around orbit size is 15mm. The Bosch, which you mentioned and which I have has a 2.5 mm throw which is perfect for cutting with 800-2000 sandpaper but woefully inadequate for doing actual polishing. The Bosch sander that will do it all is their version of the Festool Rotex which is their part number GET75-6N which is a dual mode machine having both forced rotation and random orbit.

Another case of if you what to play you’ve got to pay.