Side by Side Comparison of: Makita vs TCP Global vs 3M

This is the Cadillac of variable speed compounding buffers! It is very well made and holds a consistent RPM -- what more can you ask from this tool? The package deal with the bag and extra buffing pads is a bonus. I expect many years service from my new tool. My only complaint, and it's due to the build quality, is that this is a heavy buffer. I'm getting older, and holding the machine at chest level for minutes on end is a workout, but perhaps you younger folks are in better shape.

This puppy is one powerful variable speed piece of equipment. After much research it came down to this or the Dewalt. I chose this one because it came with the bag and a couple other attachments and from seller that did not charge tax. Both would be excellent choices in this price range I do believe. The variable start up does just that and does not sling liquid during start up. IF I did have any cons whatsoever it would be the dang thing weighs so much. However, all the brands with this sort of power appear to weigh roughly the same so I guess you can say that power is simply heavy. Buffing is definitely an art form and slowly but surely I'm getting the hang of it. In conclusion I would certainly recommend to a friend without hesitation. Now I need to try and figure out who makes the best pads. So many brands and styles that are all rated high... PEACE OUT

Makita is the ONLY choice for the professional. I have used this buffer, and its predecessor the 9227, for 8 years in the automobile detailing industry. I run my buffers an average of 5-8 hours every day, every day. I have worked them so hard that the outer plastic casing has been nearly melted and tacky to the touch. I doubt there is an industry that could possibly use them more than mine. I have used the DeWalt 849, and there is no comparison between the two. The DeWalt has a very touchy speed control, and lacks torque when pushed hard or under a heavy load. The Makita will keep going no matter what. I have Makitas that I have used all day, every day for more than four years and they keep going. The only parts I have ever replaced are brushes and the power cords (the power cords get a lot of abuse in my business, being drug around on pavement all day). I have never had a failure of any kind with the drive gears, switches or speed controls. Don't waste your time with another brand. With Makita you will find that the speed control is precise, regardless of pressure applied (these machines have a TON of torque). The soft, start is predictable and gentle on the drive system. The new rubber armor around the head helps prevent dings and scratches on the surface your are buffing, and the screens for the motor vents keep wool and debris from entering the motor housing. If there were a way to give it ten stars, I would.Tim WildaUCMOAB.COMUltimate Car MakeOver in A Bottle

This review is being written after having spent one long session with this tool. I applied many coats of Zymol liquid polish using a little sponge-like applicator, and then buffed-out with the Makita using the wooly bonnet that comes in the kit. I kept the air intake screens cleaned by using the ShopVac occasionally, and I also used the vac on the rotating pad to pick up the loose pieces of fuzzy wool. I started off using speed #1 and stayed with that until I got a better sense of how to use the buffer. As I got the hang of it, step-by-step I worked my way up to using speed #4. The higher speed was used after having applied many coats of polish, and it was actually a lot of fun to whizz the big machine along at the high speed and keep it nicely under control, which I had learned how to do. I did all of my work on the roof of a '93 Corolla wagon that has always been kept outside in the driveway and has always had a roof rack installed. I had taken off the roof rack prior to waxing, of course. I don't think there's ever been a proper wax job done on the top of the car, and there were distinct bands of non-oxidized paint showing where the various members of the rack had shaded the paint.I had no trouble learning how to tip the rotating tool for the purpose of controlling the left-to-right swing of the buffer. This machine is pretty heavy, but with good tip control it's actually easy to use it at times with one hand, swinging it around with the trigger locked to "on." This was all on horizontal, or nearly horizontal, surfaces. I spent about three hours doing the top of the car, believe it or not. The speed control, by the way, is separate from the on-off function, and can be adjusted while the trigger is locked to "on." The incremental steps are precise, and go with lots of steps, not just 1-2-3, etc. By the time you're at 4 the pad is flying around pretty fast, and I didn't go above that.All of the tool's features worked properly and had a crisp and strong feel: trigger, speed control, rotation lock (for use during installation/removal of the backing disc while there's no movement happening). I made an appropriately-sized-and-placed loop of the cord and held it in position with two big cable ties and then passed my head through the loop and let the cord, with extension cord, dangle behind me. That worked out well, and made the management of the cord easier, but not perfect. Cords! … but no real beefs with having to manage the cord. 3-prong plug end, BTW. The storage bag is very nicely made and makes a convenient way to keep the whole outfit together when it's being stored.I am so very happy to own this buffer, I have to say. I'm planning to use it one or two panels at a time on both the family's vehicles: wash a panel or two with a towel and some water, dry it off, use the buffer to wax it, put it all away. I think I'll be fine with having a vehicle that has some shiny parts and some dull. If I use it step-wise like that I'll probably be more inclined to use it in the first place. Doing an entire vehicle is a big bite, but a fender, or a door––WTF. The way-faded roof of the Corolla today was the most heroic piece of all the polishing I'll have to do, and it was actually fun to do.I'll come back here and edit this review if there's ever anything germane to add. At the moment I'm very pleased to own this cool tool.

Let me start by saying I have never buffed a car in my life. I've used cheap orbital buffers from local car stores, and even tried the $120 Porter Cable one from Amazon. Having a black show car that often appears in major indoor conventions, I was very nervous to take that leap of faith to a rotary buffer. But nothing ever did the job I expected. So the price was right, and I took a chance on this one.And I couldn't be happier with this buffer!!Bottom line it is simple to use and does a fantastic job. It is a bit heavy, but otherwise very comfortable. The left-hand grip doesn't exhaustibly shake in your hand (like the Porter Cable Orbital one did), and the slow startup when pulling the trigger is an awesome touch of safety. I like that it also came with the extra pads (which I will use on other cars) and the storage bag.If you are a novice and want to give buffing a try, than I promise you - the Makita will NOT disappoint!

Ideal power tool for buffing, polishing or (hopefully not) sanding your car's finish. Rotational speed can be infinitely adjusted to suit the task at hand. Definitely worth the money and I highly recommend it to the individual who wants to take car care to the next level.

Is a workout..kinda heavy but good power

Pretty awesome product. Handle doesn't work very well at all though. Falls off very easily

Good quality although very heavy

Unless you can where gloves. Working in the hot sun this buffer gets so hot when compounding gelcoat that it burns your hands and callouses right off. Can barely touch it. Also the there is not much control when it comes to the trigger. It has soft start at first, but as you work around corners and tight areas you need to tap the trigger to work in compound and it is all or nothing, it acts as if soft start resets as you let the buffer sit for more than 3 seconds.. Dewalt 849x definitely has more control with the trigger. Dewalt gets hot too, but not near as hot as the makita. The makita gears/torque definitely feel stronger, But it has such a high pitch whine that'll make your ears bleed. Need to wear ear plugs or I'll go deaf. I don't have that problem with the dewalt. It is much quieter. All in all a great tool for the weekend warrior or car detailer that can work in the shade. But for a marine detailer working all day in direct sunlight it's not for me. And I don't want to wear gloves or hearing protection. So that's too many things to give this 5stars. Go with the Dewalt. No complaints.

great package

The Malita es the best mschine! Thanks!

Works well, but mine is leaking oil. I used it once, pulled it out this summer and it was leaking oil.

Back plate broke on April 5, 2017 and unit was only 8 months oldApril 19, 2017 unit caught fire at the wire going into unit and burned out unit

Very disappointed that it didn't have a wrench in the package For that kind of $$$ I shouldn't have to buy the wrench separately.