Klutch 7" Polisher

[myboostedgst]

Anybody have any experience with this polisher from Northern Tool? There is a full kit for $99. Specs seems up there with the majority of polishers.

Item # 20244 from Northern Tool

 

[myboostedgst]

Nobody? I am going to stop at Northern on my way home to hold it and see how it feels. Hopefully they have some nice Milwaukee and Makita pieces to compare it to.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Ive looked at the Klutch polisher closely because I was interested in it as well. I found it to be the basically the same polisher as the $29.99 unit sold by harbor freight. The HF model is lighter and has a nicer handle.

Unlike their air tools, I was not impressed with the Klutch polisher. Its a OK polisher, but compared to the HF model and price, it is sub-par.

I used a $300 makita polisher for years, and when it finally broke I bought the HF polisher. Ive been using it for almost a year now and it has been great. I highly recommend it to anyone. And defiantly recommend it over the Klutch.

 

[myboostedgst]

Thanks for the information.

Which model Harbor Freight polisher do you have? The unit with the black handle that goes over the top (Like the Makita)or the model with the handle off to the side (Like the klutch unit)?

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-electronic-polisher-66615.html $49.99

or this one...

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-electronic-polisher-66615.html $39.99

 

[Pro-Painter]

Thanks for the information.

Which model Harbor Freight polisher do you have? The unit with the black handle that goes over the top (Like the Makita)or the model with the handle off to the side (Like the klutch unit)?

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-electronic-polisher-66615.html $49.99

or this one...

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-electronic-polisher-66615.html $39.99

I have this #92623 7" model with the makita style handle.

I'm generally very picky about my auto body tools. And only buy the best I can afford. The HF polisher is one of the very, very few tools I recommend to go cheap on. It is a very good tool for a very good price. I honestly like it better then the dewalt, and Milwaukee polishers because of the weight and handle design.
IMHO, The Makita polisher is the best polisher on the market and the HF polisher is a good copy of the it.

 

[myboostedgst]

Thanks so much for the info. I had glanced at the more expensive red Harbor Freight polisher, but didn't think twice about it. Next time I am HF I will take a look at that one. It will only be used once or twice a year so hopefully it will last a while.

 

[188slo50]

I also have the same Polisher and love it. I basically bought to do one job and have used many times since. The best think about is the weight of it compared to others and with little effort you can really cut with it just by appling little pressure. If you watch the magazine adds you can pick it up for $29 like I did.

 

[myboostedgst]

Stopped at Northern and handled the klutch. I did not like it at all. Stopped by Sears to use my gift cards and picked this up for $65. Really couldn't find any reviews of it, but we will see how it treats me this summer.

 

[Pro-Painter]

I don't want to slam your new tool. Who knows it may work out well for you. But their is somethings you should know about it if you plan to polish paint.

Craftsman took an angle grinder, put a bonnet on it and called it a polisher. It has all the specs of an angle grinder and none of the specs of a polisher. Polishing requires high torque, low RPM's and the ability to hold speeds. The craftsman fails all of the above. Polishers need a 10 to 12 amp high torque motor to hold low RPM's against the friction of compounds. The craftsman is only 4.5-amp. The next issue is the RPM range. Polishers range from 200 to 3400 rpm with 7 to 9 speeds. With the most common (compound recommended) speeds being 800-2000rpm. The craftsman only has two speeds 1400 & 1650 RPM. It don't go low enough nor high enough for buffing and polishing and with its super small motor it will not be able to hold the speeds and generate the friction needed for polishing.

Also, the backing plate and bonnet it comes with is not for paint. despite what craftsman claims. That type of bonnet is used of large foam orbital buffers. The backing plate is much too hard and the bonnet is a joke. A polisher has a hook & loop soft backing plate and will use thick/stiff hook and loop pads. The HF model comes with the same type of buffer bonnet, but it also has a nice soft H&L backing plate that uses real buffing pads. The thin hard plastic plate the craftsman comes with will do more damage then good.




The HF model (or Klutch) is miles ahead of the craftsman is every way possible. And it is half the price of the craftsman.

 

[myboostedgst]

Thanks alot you big jerk.

Maybe I will have to rethink this. I was considering the Porter Cable but nowhere local has one that I can handle. I really dont want to get a unit that feels awkward in my hand. Maybe I will return this polisher and just bite the bullet with the PC based on everyones reviews.

Thanks for the info so soon though. Now I can return it without any issues.

 

[myboostedgst]

Thanks to ProPainters wisdom, I decided to return the Craftsman. I will evetually get the Porter Cable and just use a tried and true setup.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[SiGmA_X]

I think you will be happier over all with the Porter Cable. Its no fun buffing cars with the wrong polisher. PC FTW! (Not that I have one )