HF DA polisher $50 less 20-25% coupon

[Danglerb]

I am about to bite on this, and order online since store inventory seems wiped out, I figure I might as well post about it.

A few months back HF came out with a dual action polisher for $80 that "looks" like copy of the Griots Garage $130 6" model, and it generated some excitement.

Pro
Seems to work pretty well, and price dips below $50 from time to time.
Dual Action polishers are the MOST noob friendly, almost hard to mess up a car.

Con.
Noisy compared to real expensive models, some experience vibration at higher speed, and HF pads don't seem to last as long as pads costing 3x as much, plus HF seems to only have one of the three types in stock, and those not very often.

They are on sale til 12/31 for $50, includes a 6" backing plate, and I have a 25% off one item coupon, and a car with oxidized paint its time to wake back up. Normally I would buy it in the local store, but none in stock and none of the one pad they ever have in stock, so I am thinking of ordering online, $7 flat rate shipping per order and getting a couple of each type of pad while I am at it.

 

[ilovevocs]

You may or may not know this, but i thought i would share.

Im not familiar with the HF model but i use a DA porter cable quite frequently. My local auto body jobber stocks 6" hook and loop (velcro) pads from maguires. Most in my area seem to stock them. They are good pads and endure allot of use. May be worth looking into.

On black paint jobs I always finish with the DA and hand glaze for a fine finish.

 

[Danglerb]

Deal is done, oddly I live in SoCal and didn't see any tax? Total for the DA and 2x each of three type pads shipped was $68.

Its funny, my next stop is Autogeeks where I will most likely buy $100 worth of various premium pads in a couple sizes. I plan to use the HF DA along with my Cyclo (4" pads) so I want the smaller 3 or 3.5" backing plates as well as maybe a 5.5" for the HF DA. Not like I know what I am doing, but I want to have the tools to try.

Griots sells there DA both ways, 6" and 3", with the smaller plate and pads it works great on hard to get areas and narrow spots like A pillars.

 

[franksgiants]

Did you get the 25% off?
is this the one it looks good
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-variable-speed-dual-action-polisher-69924.html

 

[Danglerb]

Not a word or email from HF, checked my account the other day and said processing, checked last night and DA is on back order and all the pads were canceled. I guess I will call them on Monday and attempt a sorting out, but that won't fly, what do they expect me to do with a DA polisher and no pads?

Checked the local store, in stock on the DA, no pads, grabbing one while my 25% coupon is good.

 

[In The Doghouse]

Is the 25% off coupon something that can be shared for my use?

 

[Fast_Eddie]

Not a word or email from HF, checked my account the other day and said processing, checked last night and DA is on back order and all the pads were canceled. I guess I will call them on Monday and attempt a sorting out, but that won't fly, what do they expect me to do with a DA polisher and no pads?

Checked the local store, in stock on the DA, no pads, grabbing one while my 25% coupon is good.

Well that *****, FWIW, I have a PC, 2 Griots, and the HF DA polisher, the HF DA is a copy of a DA that HD car care (3d products inc) was selling, the Griots is totally different and has way more power and a stronger motor. And those HF pads are junk, they lasted about half a car before they were toast. No comparison to Lake country or buff and shine pads.

For $50, it's a great DA that works awesome, but the pads.... are junk. Good luck getting it all worked out.

 

[Danglerb]

Is the 25% off coupon something that can be shared for my use?

Coupon was good til 12/31, I used the number to order online, but when I bought at the store the took it. $40.40 with Cal tax.

Could be the slickdeals thread has a link to the number or the image.
http://slickdeals.net/f/1276399-Harbor-Freight-Coupon-Thread

I looked briefly and it didn't jump out at me. If you get an image and use the number online, only enter the first half before the - in the middle under the bar code.

 

[Danglerb]

For $50, it's a great DA that works awesome, but the pads.... are junk. Good luck getting it all worked out.

I bought a gift cert from Autogeeks last year, $65 for a $100, and plan to try and order tonight during 20% and free shipping.

I have a Cyclo for the heavy work, this is going to be used either 3" or finishing.

BTW not $50, $40.40 out the door incl tax.

 

[holland_patrick]

I bought a gift cert from Autogeeks last year, $65 for a $100, and plan to try and order tonight during 20% and free shipping.

I have a Cyclo for the heavy work, this is going to be used either 3" or finishing.

BTW not $50, $40.40 out the door incl tax.

20%. I got the code for 15% that was it

 

[GarageDan]

25% coupon code for HF: 9355736

 

[Danglerb]

I called HF customer support, not much of a delay once through the push button phone jungle. Customer service said the 3 types of pads are no longer available, and DA is back ordered online because everything was sent to stores. I canceled my order with no apparent issues.

No tax showing on my invoice apparently because they add tax when it actually ships.

Autogeeks 20% was Sunday only ended midnight EST, or as I saw it in SoCal PST 15 min after I turned on the PC to make my order. 15% off free shipping ended about an hour ago, so I'll be waiting for the next decent sale before buying from them.

 

[CamarosRus]

Lakes Country is probably the best foam pad mfg.......

not sure of web site but sold by many top vendors

 

[Danglerb]

I wonder a bit about the pads, I mean we are talking about a fancy plastic sponge, and even in quantity they are more than $10 each, some more like $20.

This is what is stupid about what HF has done, come out with a decent cheap DA, then skip out on the profit center the pads? OTOH I've heard nothing but bad about the HF "warrior" brand pads, so maybe they don't even meet HF standards?

SoCal is crawling with suppliers for detailers, Macquires is a 20 min drive from my house, so Wednesday I will venture out and buy a pad or two to play with, then ask a bunch more questions on the detail forums, but I am kind of liking the idea of using the HF with a 3" backing plate and 4" pads like my Cyclo uses. Less strain on the HF, and gives me a handy small area tool.

 

[In The Doghouse]

It's still on sale this morning Jan 1st and it took today's 25% off coupon. Now I have to source some pads.

 

[Lawson4450]

I have a porter cable and the flex but I want something for small 4 inch finish pads I was thinking about picking this up for such work so then I can use all three machines instead changing backing plates and pads just grab what I need. Ill check it out today after work.

 

[Danglerb]

Best deal for a good backing plate and pads might be Griots. Tell them you have the 6" DA and want to get all the stuff to use it as a 3" (which they also sell).

Will a 3" backing plate work with a 4" hook and loop pad for the Cyclo?

I'm giving "some" thought to converting to the quick change heads with the retainer ball.

 

[Danglerb]

Stopped in looking for something else, and the yellow cutting and black finishing pads were in stock for $3.99 so I grabbed 2x each.

 

[vgs8606]

Is 25% coupon still working?

 

[Danglerb]

25% was special end of year, last day was 1/1/13.

I was surprised to see the pads in the store, left them at the register to grab a coupon out of the car, and SHOCKED to find I did not have ANY coupons still valid. Time for me to restock, except I think I am out of any HF stuff I don't already have.