TOP 5 medium polishing machines

The Sturm AG919CP is a classic example of a budget polishing tool for domestic needs. She will quite cope with simple tasks, such as self-polishing the paintwork on a car or restoring the plastic surfaces of headlights. In the home workshop, it can be used to brush wood with iron and nylon brushes, or to clean rust off sheet metal.

The Sturm polisher is a lightweight (2.3 kg) and fast model (up to 4200 rpm). With the help of a mechanical regulator (in the form of a wheel with 6 fixed positions), the speed can be changed from 800 rpm to a maximum, adjusting to the working conditions and the characteristics of the surface to be treated.

Due to not the most perfect engine (despite the solid power consumption of 1400 W), the machine can “choke” at high speed under heavy load. Therefore, sometimes when polishing planes, it is better to change the regular polishing sole with a diameter of 180 mm to a 150 mm nozzle so as not to run into a lack of power. The cooling of the motor is not implemented in the best way, so every 15 to 20 minutes it is worth taking pauses in work so as not to overheat the engine. There are also complaints about the power cord: it is short (2 m), and the braid is hard and breaks in the cold.

In general, this model is fully consistent with the philosophy of the Sturm brand, which is to produce a simple and inexpensive tool for everyday tasks and not too intensive use. Certain disadvantages of the Sturm AG919CP polishing machine are fully compensated by its low price.

An alternative to this model can be considered a machine Einhell Car Classic CC-PO 1100/2 E Price from 2 442 up to 3 256 ₴. It is similar in features and price.

The Hyundai G 1500 is an inexpensive workhorse. With its help, it is convenient to perform finishing operations on various surfaces: metal, stone, wood, as well as paint and varnish coatings. But there is a caveat: strong hands are needed for this, because the instrument is heavy (3.5 kg). "Extra" 300 - 500 grams, by which the weight of this machine is greater than that of many competitors, can make your working day unbearable. On the other hand, when processing flat horizontal surfaces, the increased weight is even in some way an advantage, because heavier machines themselves are pressed against the workpiece.

The machine is designed for long non-stop operation. It has a reliable 1400 W motor that does not overheat either under load or at low speeds. You will be able to work with 180 mm equipment for a long time without smoking breaks and pauses. The gearbox housing is made of durable magnesium alloy. The handle is rearranged for the right or left hand. Six-speed speed control allows you to choose the optimal mode, taking into account the characteristics of the processed material and the characteristics of the polishing paste or mastic. For complete happiness, only the function of maintaining speed under load is missing, but experienced craftsmen can work without it.

At a cost of less than $100, the Hyundai G 1500 is the best balance between price and quality. This is a decent, reliable and far from "disposable" tool. It is suitable for you if you are engaged in (not on an industrial scale) polishing granite or artificial stone, polishing lacquered furniture or eliminating flaws in the paintwork of cars.

Other manufacturers also have similar equipment. Pay attention, for example, to the typewriter Stanley STGP1318K - it is the same in terms of characteristics and only slightly more expensive, but the Stanley brand is more famous in the world of power tools.

The Metabo PE 15-20 RT polishing machine is positioned by the manufacturer as a tool for car care and work related to the restoration of car paintwork. The range of working revolutions is “sharpened” precisely for these tasks. Using the wheel, the user can select one of six spindle speeds: 600, 850, 1100, 1350, 1600 or 1900 rpm. Electronics in a fully automatic mode maintains the speed at a given level, regardless of the clamping force. From other electronic systems, the soft start function (spindle acceleration without jerks at the moment the engine is turned on) and motor overload protection (carbon brushes are automatically turned off to prevent excessive heating of the windings) should be noted.

The tool is well thought out in terms of ergonomics. It is light (weight 2.4 kg) and comfortable. During operation, you can hold the polisher by the side handle or put your hand directly on the gearbox (it is covered with a plastic overlay so that the user is not hot). The speed control, the start key and the button for its fixation are located in such a way that you can work and switch modes without removing your palm from the rear handle. A big plus is the quiet operation of the machine (91 dB is a very low noise level for power tools with a power of 1500 W), which will be appreciated by professionals who work for several hours in a row without rest breaks.

In this configuration, only a side handle is attached to the tool (the support plate with a polishing sponge, which are shown in the pictures in the catalog, are not included in the kit). But, since Metabo is a large manufacturer of tools that produces a large number of accessories, you can find a lot of “native” attachments for the Metabo PE 15-20 RT polishing machine for all occasions: plates, grinding and polishing discs, felt wheels, brushes with different pile, etc. A wide variety of branded accessories allows you to use this tool not only for polishing car bodies, but also for working with stone, metal, wood and other materials.

The Makita SA7000C polisher is a tool for intensive work. It is used in metalworking industries, in furniture workshops, stone processing workshops and other enterprises. It has been produced for more than 10 years and is still in demand due to its reliability and good technical characteristics. The tool is equipped with a 1600 W motor. The rotation from the motor to the spindle is transmitted through a gearbox with hardened metal gears and an aluminum alloy housing. The motor cooling holes are made in such a way that the rotor and stator of the motor are well protected from abrasive particles that form during grinding or polishing. The spindle is designed for the use of equipment with a diameter of up to 180 mm, which allows you to work with a wide range of accessories ( "native" or from other manufacturers). The tool cannot be called light (it weighs 3.4 kg). But on the other hand, when grinding horizontal surfaces, it is “pressed” due to its own weight, and there is no need to increase the pressure with your hands - the user is less tired during work.

The device is equipped with a starting current limiter, which ensures smooth acceleration of the nozzle, and constant electronics, which accurately maintains the rotational speed at a given level. The speed control has 6 positions that correspond to speeds of 1500, 1700, 2000, 2500, 3300 and 4000 rpm. To work at speeds below 1500 rpm, you should set the regulator to the first position and sink the start key not completely, but partially. It can be fixed in the desired position using the lock button. But it should be noted that the manufacturer warns in the operating instructions: it is impossible to work at low speeds for a long time, because due to insufficient airflow, the motor may overheat, which will lead to automatic operation of electronic protection. Therefore, Makita SA7000C can hardly be recommended for use in car workshops as a body polishing tool (as you know, low speeds are needed there, first of all, so as not to burn the paintwork). But this machine is great for grinding and polishing unpainted metal, granite, wooden surfaces, etc. It can even be used for grinding concrete screeds with diamond cups, since the design of the tool allows you to work with fairly large loads for a long time.

The Bosch GPO 14 CE Professional is a professional tool without any reservations. It can be used for any polishing job, but it is best suited for processing complex profiled surfaces such as car bodies. Due to the low weight of the tool (only 2.5 kg), you can work for a long time without feeling tired in your hands.

The quality characteristic of all Bosch grinders can be felt in every detail: from the ergonomic handle with soft rubber grip to the plastic-coated gearbox. The plastic cover on the gearbox will protect your hands if you need to remove the D-handle to get to hard to reach places.

The machine is “stuffed” with electronics to the top. It has precise spindle speed control, a "soft start" function for a gentle start, and RPM stabilization to run at a constant speed under load. Thanks to such “helpers”, you definitely won’t leave burns and marks even on the most delicate paintwork. Electronic motor protection and self-shutoff brushes prevent damage to the motor when overloaded.

The Bosch GPO 14 CE Professional is a great tool for those who make money polishing cars. A large number of accessories and consumables are produced for it: support plates of any size, polishing sponges of different hardness, covers made of natural sheepskin and artificial wool, and much more. Furniture makers who prefer Bosch products to any other tool will also be delighted. But for ordinary users, the price of this model is clearly a bit high.