Buffer/polisher, is 6000 rpm necessary on a power tool for this?

[poormonkey]

I have been looking into a polisher power tool, but I would like to get one that is a polisher/sander. I noticed a true polisher power tool goes up to 6000 rpm, where the polisher/sanders only go to 3000 rpm. Is 6000 rpm's really needed for polishing? I like the thought that if I get one that only does the 3000 rpm's, that I can take off the buffing pad and use the tool for other things, such as sanding some metal, etc...

Thoughts? Do I need to buy two power tools if I want a good polisher and a sander?

 

[ImpulseIII]

At 6000 RPM you will burn through the gel coat faster than you can turn the machine off. For polishing/waxing a lot of us use the Porter Cable random orbit machine (I think the number is 7424....Its on the boat right now). Skip has invested a small fortune in Chicago brand polishers so he might have an opinion (did I say might??) Anyway, you will never need 6K revs for polishine/waxing.... Just my $.02

 

[Skip]

The Porter Cable 7424 is absolutely the way to go to maintain clean gel coat. For compounding, I dumped the lousy quality Chicago Tools products and bought a Makita:

http://www.tylertool.com/mak927elsan.html

With these two tools (and some advil) I did the entire foredeck and toe rail of the 420DA in about 2.5 hours. Frank H will attest to my glossy gelcoat as seen at BiH 2007.

Git 'er done!

regards
Skip

 

[ImpulseIII]

Yeah, Skips boat shined so brightly that I was almost embarrassed to be on the same dock as him.....then, to make matters worse, Dominic pulls up right next to me with OSD and I needed my sunglasses, then Stan with his 44DA, then Gary with Admiral Halseys flag ship(all the antenna)!!!!!! I gotta get to cleaning ImpulseIII one of these days!!

 

[sbw1]

1500 rpms with a wool bonnet is a great way to polish gel coat. Apply a good quality, liquid, fine compound with a clean towell to 3 x 5 areas and polish away. Wax it the same way with a different clean wool bonnet.

 

[boatdoc100]

poormonkey,
These guys are correct. 6000 rpm WILL do real damage. In my business we use Dewalt but the brand doesn't matter as much as , get a variable speed tool. Around 2800 rom is plenty. Use a good product for compounding and polishing. We quit using "wax" years ago. Only the co-polomer based "BUFF MAGIC" is used along with the co-polomer based "PRO POLISH". These chompounds do a superior job to any wax, don't build up and turn yellow, and last all year long. The line is made by Yacht Brite products . Searay uses this product on all new boats and sells it in there show rooms. I have it on my web store considerably cheaper. www.marinediscounters.com is the site.
Brad
Pflieger Marine Services

 

[Asureyez]

The high sppeds are useful for finishing other surfaces.

This 7424 can be used to buff out hard surfaces like glass, stainless Chrome etc..

 

[Skuza]

At 6000rpm you better wear safety glasses for when the pad comes apart! A dedicated polisher will only run to 3000rpm. A polisher/sander will run to 6000rpm but it is not advised using it on any painted or gelcoated surface unless there is some type of speed control. I have a DeWalt (formerly Black&Decker) with variable speed control and usually buff with a wool pad around 1800-2000rpm max.