Ryobi Cordless Polisher Meets the Needs of Professionals in a Lightweight, Affordable Package
Ryobi covers the prosumer space, delivering pro-level performance and functionality at unbeatable prices. The Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Dual Action Polisher promises to uphold that reputation. We got our hands on it to see if it delivered.
advantage
- light
- Variable speed motors for a wide range of applications
- low vibration
- Less expensive than other cordless dual action polishers
shortcoming
- Brushed motors are not as efficient as brushless motors
Step into the 21st century with this polisher that lets you skip the old-fashioned "wax-on-wax-off" manual method of Mr. Miyagi. We handed it over to our resident rancher, Eli Mosley, who also happens to be a major league car maintenance enthusiast, for ranch vehicle maintenance. He also happened to get tired of waxing his hands.
What is a Dual Action Polisher? Double action polishers combine forced rotation and orbital motion into one action. The difference between this and a random orbital polisher is that the forced rotation drives the rotation and orbital motion. Random orbital polishers drive only the orbit and rely on momentum to rotate the pad. Forced rotation dual action orbital polishers have a consistent pattern and therefore produce better results.
The Ryobi PBF100 uses a brushed motor to deliver 3,000 to 7,500 revolutions per minute (8mm throw) with a power spin that gives it dual action. The combination of orbital motion and forced rotation helps reduce heat buildup and the potential for swirl marks.
If you're new to power polishers, here's a general speed guide (it's also printed on the tool):
- Finishing: 3,000 – 3,800 OPM
- Calibration: 3,800 – 5,800 OPM
- Cutting: 5,800 – 7,500 OPM
When Eli applied a new coat of Brazilian carnauba wax to his truck, the polisher's finishing pad left a clean path as he worked on the body.
Expect up to 2 hours of run time on the 9.0Ah battery – more than enough for most full-size vehicles. If you're using the 4.0Ah battery that came with the kit, that's closer to 50 minutes. While there's a big difference between these values, we prefer the 4.0Ah battery for overall weight savings.
Ryobi Cordless Dual Action Polisher Design Instructions
For speed control, the polisher has a locking slide switch combined with a variable speed dial. Its detachable helper handle supports multiple grip positions, and you can flip it over for left-handed use.
The overall feel of the polisher is very similar to Ryobi's HP brushless angle grinders, with a thinner handle. It's surprisingly easy to maneuver and control, especially when dealing with delicate body lines.
All of this fits into a bare case that weighs just 3.75 pounds—the lightest in its class, according to Ryobi. That's a big deal if you're buffing for hours at a time during your busy day.
Additional features
- battery life indicator
- Anti-scratch bumper
- Hex key storage in secondary handles
Ryobi Cordless Dual Action Polisher Prices
The Ryobi PBF100B is available from The Home Depot for $199 bare. We recommend spending an extra $30 for the 4.0Ah battery and charger.
The polisher kit comes with a 5-inch hook and loop back-up pad, finishing pad, correction pad, cutting pad, helper handle, hex wrench, and wrench. As usual, Ryobi backs it with a 3-year warranty.
the bottom line
Ryobi's cordless dual-action polisher produces great results with the design and features we've come to expect to find on more expensive professional-grade models. While it doesn't have the efficiency of brushless motors, it's much less expensive than brushless motors. If you're looking for a dual-action polisher that lets you cut the cord without breaking the bank, the Ryobi has you covered.
Ryobi Cordless Dual Action Polisher Specifications
- Model: Ryobi PBF100
- Naked Weight: 3.75 lbs.
- Pad Size: 5 inches
- Orbits per minute: 3,000-7,500
- Track Diameter: 1/2"
- Spindle Sizes: 5/16 – 24 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $199 bare, $229 kit