Upgraded "giblets", I like that, but seriously another great informative video comparison. Thanks for doing what you do, I hope you never get bored making these videos.
The version you compared it to is considerably older so many changes have taken place since then. I did a review of their latest model just before they did the rebrand and the changes between the current Bauer and my Chicago Electric before the rebrand are minimal. It really is just a rebrand to keep up with their upscale Bauer line in all honestly. I have also heard people say the quality is not as good as the Chicago Electric before the change so there you go. In short, if you have a Chicago Electric already, I would suggest to keep it going and do not buy they new one as a replacement.
I recommend getting a different backing plate like the one you suggested, or from Lake Country and pairing it with pads from Lake Country or another reputable detailing specific brand because the HF backing plate and pads are garbage but the Chicago Electric DA Polishers are actually very good - especially for how cheap the are or were... Thank you for the video! Great info!
I've got the old Chicago Electric dual action polisher. Had it for about 3 years. I regreased it too AND rotated the body so that the ON/OFF switch was on top. Just started using the Bauer polishing pads with it - the Bauer pads are $3 more expensive but much nicer. Just completed compounding our all fiberglass exterior RV.
Bauer makes a great product for the price range. I just bought the newest buffer they have. I got the Bauer 7.5 Amp 6” Dual Action Random Orbit Polisher, for $99.99. It out preforms my MT 300 from Meguiars. It is made by Snap On, and it’s pure garbage. In the last 4 years I’ve gone through 15 MT 300 polishers. They run about $200. I’ve had several buffers over the past few years. I do 25 cars a week inside and out, and Bauer’s never disappoints. I’ll even carefully use my buffer on leather and vinyl seats over a magic eraser’s. Cuts my time way down past half on cleaning seats. Anyways I’m off topic, but they do have more uses than just paint correction.
I watched a video on the Harbor Freight Bauer that was $49.99! It looked like a real bargain, but now it is $79.99! I wrote and asked why the 60% price increase, but have not received a reply. At almost $80, Amazon offers many very nice polishers in that price range.
Doesn't look like I'll be "upgrading" anytime soon. Unless my Chicago electric da dies, then I'll still buy the Bauer over a name brand since I only use a da a few times a year. Thanks for the great upload!
Actually there were a couple versions of the Chicago polisher. One was a lot better than the other. they were sometimes both available at the same time for the same price, but have different part numbers. the better one's part # is 69924. It's much better built and a little heavier. With a few mods, these polishers are really first class, and have more power than the much more expensive competition. The first thing to do is throw away the 6" backing plate, and get a 5" quality one. Buy good quality polishing 5" pads from Buff-n-Shine, Lake Country, etc. Also, get the 5" counter weigh that is used on the Porter cable polisher to use with 5" backing plate. It's a direct fit, and is less than $5. If you don't like the power switch on the side, the housing can be indexed so the switch is on top, which I prefer. Replace the grease with something better, and lastly replace the short cord with a 20-25' cord which is so much nicer than dragging an extension cord around. These mods cost very little and bring this good polisher to the next level. Too bad the new Bauer is not in the same league as the Chicago 69924. Another thing you can do that is really useful is get a good quality 3" backing plate and some 3-4" pads. This increases the rotation power, with less chance of any stalling, and is very useful for tight spots, and is great for waxing. To decrease vibration while using the 3" BP, take the old 6" counter weight that came with the polisher, and drill holes to lighten it so It's lighter than the 5" one by about 1/4 oz., then try it for vibration. Drill more if needed, till it is smooth running. Now you have smooth running, powerful 5" and 3" polisher for cheap.
@@neilhansen3025 www.autogeek.net/pccw-5inch.html www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7424xp_counterweight.htm If you replace the counterweight, you can use the now removed 6" counterweight for use with a 3" backing plate by drilling holes in to reduce the weight for the smaller backing plate. I did this with the one I removed from the HF 6", and it now resides on my 7294 PC polisher which is now my 3" polisher, but works with HF too. It works great without excessive vibration, and it's nice having a 3" or 5" polisher for different applications.
There are two versions of the Bauer polisher. The better version looks much like your grey Chicago Electric. I’m guessing HF is using the same two Chinese suppliers and simply changed the color and a few other details for the Bauer rebrand.
It seems they both have good and bad parts. I would like a video showing you replacing the bad of one with the good of the other, if that is possible. Should be interesting. Excellent video, BTW.
You missed an important feature: The Chicago electric has a cast aluminum eccentric wheel. The Bauer has one made of smoother, much stronger steel.....and that part is interchangeable. While I'm sure that the much heavier steel eccentric is much more durable, I'll bet that is also explains the extra vibration and maybe some of the extra noise.
Dam bro, you got 9.3 sales tax?!? I thought 6.3 was bad in Mass. Bought the polisher, I think it's great. If I can get two seasons or a dozen full buffs out of it, In my opinion it has more than payed for itself.
Thanks for the review. And not, Am not buy the new one. I prefere buy the old one. Keep doing your program. I think that is very instructive and honest. I fallow you in every video and I think that you have others programs but I can' t find it.
For what its worth, I am a DIYer and use the DA's on my truck and car once or twice a year. I owned the Chicago Electric. Used it a few times and owned it just over a year. Recently painted my truck and needed the DA. The Chicago Electric DA vibrated so much I could not use it. It actually hurt to hold it too long at a higher speed. Wow, did not expect that. So, I went to HF to get another and of course, the Bauer was their offering. I have only used it once, but the issue at this point is that the speed increases and decreases at random...WITHOUT MY INPUT on the control dial. Dont know if it is worth taking back. Only owned for a week or so. Perhaps I will just keep it and use until it is not longer functional and then pay real money and get a Dewalt. What do you guys think?
Did the speed dial rotate from the vibration? It seems like having the dial give positive feedback (clicks) for speed changes would be an important feature on a tool with so much vibration. BTW, another review mentioned that the HF backing plate's threaded mounting screw was not perpendicular to the tool and that the hook and loop was poor quality...suggested trying another reputable brand's backing plate.
They sell everything with a 6" backing plate . then offer pads bulit for a 5" BP. Case in point, DO NOT BUY YOUR PADS FROM hf UNLESS YOU HAVE A 5" BP. THEN ONLY USE FOR CRAFTS AND COUNTER TOP CLEANING. I wont touch an auto finish witha HF pad. (Go B&S or Griots, or Lake county , 3D, or anything other than HF.)
For the average, diy'er it's probably ok. But it certainly seems as though there were several failure modes designed/built into the newer model that would suggest it's not really as good of a tool as it could have been. That being said, I think I might avoid buying it if I was in the market.
The instructions for the old and the new polisher is the same. Nothing is shown on how to use the tools included. Your video showed where to insert the rod, but, where to place the wrench. Is the wrench really needed?
@@BradsWorkbench yeah, I see some used on Craigslist here and there but most of them are going for more than a new HF one. The HF model gets pretty good reviews
Alabama MotionPictureProducer I have quite a few harbor freight reviews on my channel but no experience with that tool personally. I just bought their small lathe and like it. There’s a coupon for the scroll saw for $69 that’s good until 10/27/19 so you’re right that’s not a bad price. I’d say go for it, good inexpensive way to see if you enjoy the craft and u can always sell and upgrade later
hi, I have a questions for you. Do you think thas is posible apply a hi-temp epoxy in the commutator joints for myselfand what type of epoxy I can use? I watch your videos and you change the cheap grease by one of better quality. But, houw much I need add?
So I purchased same Bauer model but different item#64529 not the 64528 you have. It appears to be a direct rebrand of the old chicago electric. SJT chord, cheap grease, shielded bearings, and epoxy reinforcement on the windings. So which one you feel is the better tool?
Was looking to grab a polisher. New to this... I was told the throw distance is important. What is the throw on the Bauer and is is acceptable for the price? Thanks.
How in the world did you get the housing screws off without stripping the heads? I tried and now all 3 are now completely stripped. I wanted to change out the grease but can't now
