Not too impressed with using random orbit sanders for compounding and polishing, but put off by silly price of what's just a slow angle grinder (£180!). Ever a cheapskate, eventually decided to try a real cheapie from Toolsatation, the Silverline Hi Spec SL406 7" polisher at £45. theyre a bit cheaper on Ebay, but I thought the ability to take it back if no good was worth an extra fiver.
First impression - dull orange/black casing of good quaity heavy matt plastic (not at all diy-ish), sturdy velcro 7" backing pad and a real sheepskin 7" bonnet. Reasonably comfortable interlock switch under first finger, with speed control wheel falling under the thumb. 1200W, speed well controlled from around 900-3000 rpm. Less noisy than an angle grinder at the 3000rpm, and quite bearable when slowed to 1500 or so for buffing. Heavy pressure won't slow the pad at this speed. Doesn't look, sound, or feel 'cheap'. No parts diagram, but some visible signs of ball bearings. Decided to look at the commutator, as this can give an idea of motor quality. Cheaply made diy motors have far fewer segments (and so windings). In this case, no signs of hidden cost cutting.
In addition to normal sale of goods rights, carries 3yr return to base warranty. Supplied one spare set of brushes. Cable is of Chinese mfr., from price I assume tool is too. I would guess parts are not available, but a g'teed 3 yrs use for £40 looks like a reasonable buy. I am tempted to look at other items in the range for non critical jobs.
First impression - dull orange/black casing of good quaity heavy matt plastic (not at all diy-ish), sturdy velcro 7" backing pad and a real sheepskin 7" bonnet. Reasonably comfortable interlock switch under first finger, with speed control wheel falling under the thumb. 1200W, speed well controlled from around 900-3000 rpm. Less noisy than an angle grinder at the 3000rpm, and quite bearable when slowed to 1500 or so for buffing. Heavy pressure won't slow the pad at this speed. Doesn't look, sound, or feel 'cheap'. No parts diagram, but some visible signs of ball bearings. Decided to look at the commutator, as this can give an idea of motor quality. Cheaply made diy motors have far fewer segments (and so windings). In this case, no signs of hidden cost cutting.
In addition to normal sale of goods rights, carries 3yr return to base warranty. Supplied one spare set of brushes. Cable is of Chinese mfr., from price I assume tool is too. I would guess parts are not available, but a g'teed 3 yrs use for £40 looks like a reasonable buy. I am tempted to look at other items in the range for non critical jobs.
. For free) but it needs polishing so I think I will be gettting one of them my self 
