DeWalt 7 in. - 9 in. Variable-Speed Polisher with Soft Start

Why I reached for this polisher

The first time I put this variable‑speed DeWalt polisher on paint, it reminded me why corded, full‑size rotaries still have a place in a world full of DA machines. It starts gently, has reserves of power when you lean on it, and the controls are set up so you can keep your focus on the work, not the tool. After a few weeks on automotive paint, gelcoat, and some metal work, I’ve got a good feel for where it shines and where it could be better.

Build and ergonomics

Out of the box, the construction inspires confidence. The gear case is covered with a non‑marring rubber jacket, so setting it down on a fender or deck doesn’t feel like a gamble. The heat‑treated steel gearing runs smooth, with that tight, precise sound you want from a rotary. The included handle options—bale and side—are genuinely useful. The bale handle gives you a neutral, centered grip for vertical panels and boat hulls, while a side handle still makes sense for edge work.

Weight is reasonable for the class. On my scale, the bare tool comes in just under 7 lb, which is manageable over a long session, especially compared with some heavier competitors. The 10‑ft cord is long enough that I rarely reached for an extension cord in a garage bay.

Two small wins that matter in the field: a large, positive spindle lock that’s easy to find with gloved hands, and external brush caps that make maintenance straightforward. The 5/8‑11 arbor fits the usual array of backing plates and accessories.

Speed control and power

This is where the tool earns its keep. It uses a 12‑amp, all ball‑bearing motor coupled with an electronic module that holds speed under load. In practice, the RPM doesn’t hunt or sag when you put pressure on a panel or transition over a body line. The dial lets you cap the maximum speed from a very gentle 600 RPM up to 3,500 RPM, and the variable‑speed trigger adds fine control on top of that cap. The soft‑start is dialed in nicely; compound stays on the pad instead of on your shirt.

I found a sweet spot for compounding automotive clear around 1,400–1,800 RPM with a foam or wool pad, and the tool remains composed there. At the top end, 3,000+ RPM is available for sanding disc work, metal polishing, or really chalky gelcoat. It is a rotary, so it will generate heat quickly if you linger, but the speed stability makes it predictable.

Vibration is impressively low for a big rotary. The motor and drivetrain feel well balanced; your hands don’t buzz, which goes a long way toward reducing fatigue over a half day of correction.

In the garage: paint correction

I used it to revive an oxidized hood on a truck and to remove moderate swirls from a black coupe. With a 7‑in hook‑and‑loop plate and a medium‑cut foam, the soft‑start let me spread compound at low speed, then ramp up without flinging product. The trigger and dial pairing makes it easy to feather speed around edges and tight contours—pull the trigger lightly to keep the pad moving while you reposition, then squeeze to get back to your set speed.

Cut is strong. Paired with a wool or microfiber pad, it erased 1,500‑grit sanding marks faster than I’m used to on a DA. Finishing takes more care—this is a rotary—and I switched down to a softer foam and 600–900 RPM with light pressure to finesse holograms. The machine’s smoothness at low RPM helps a lot when chasing a clean finish.

On the water: gelcoat and beyond

Gelcoat is where the top‑end torque pays off. Oxidized boat hulls benefited from a wool pad and speeds between 1,800 and 2,600 RPM. Even when I leaned on it to chew through stubborn sections, the electronic speed control kept the RPM consistent. The wool‑ingestion shield is a smart touch on a job like this—wool fibers and compound dust are relentless—so anything that keeps debris out of the motor extends service intervals.

I also put it on stainless to remove light corrosion and on a solid‑surface countertop to bring back a uniform sheen. The long body length helps you bridge wider surfaces, but it can be a bit unwieldy in tight nooks. In those spots, I swapped to the side handle or removed the handle entirely and gripped the gear case.

Maintenance and serviceability

External brush access means I don’t have to crack the case open for routine wear items. The shielded design resists the usual wool and dust ingestion that kills motors prematurely. With corded tools that see heavy, dusty use, these details add up. Add the 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and a 90‑day money‑back window, and support looks solid for a pro or serious DIYer who will actually put hours on the machine.

Accessories and setup

The stock hook‑and‑loop backing pad is good enough to get you started and runs true. I prefer a slightly thinner, more flexible plate for curved panels, but the included one is a practical choice for general work. Swapping plates is fast thanks to the big spindle lock. The 5/8‑11 spindle gives you a lot of options: 6‑in plates for more control, 7‑in for most auto work, and 8–9‑in for large flat surfaces like gelcoat or countertops.

If you’re new to a rotary, tape edges and body lines, prime your pad, and start in the 900–1,200 RPM range to get a feel for the machine. Use the dial to set a ceiling that matches the task; the trigger then becomes your finesse control.

What I’d change

No tool is perfect, and there are a few things I’d tweak:

• The speed dial markings are small and not the easiest to read at a glance in a dusty shop. Higher‑contrast markings would help.
• At maximum speed, noise climbs as expected. Ear protection is wise for extended use.
• It’s a full‑size rotary with a 21‑plus‑inch overall length. You feel that in cramped spaces. A slightly shorter nose would improve maneuverability around mirrors and tight bumper contours.
• The included backing pad is fine, but a thinner, edge‑friendly option in the box would suit automotive work better.
• There’s no case or bag included, and a cord wrap/strap on the cord would be handy for transport.

None of these are showstoppers, but they’re worth noting if you have specific workflows or storage needs.

Who it’s for

This polisher is a strong fit for:

• Pros and advanced enthusiasts who want fast correction and predictable RPM under load.
• Marine users tackling oxidized gelcoat who need torque and speed range.
• Anyone who appreciates serviceable design—external brushes, robust gearing, and a motor protected against debris.

If you’re brand‑new to machine polishing and worried about rotary learning curves, a dual‑action might be more forgiving to start with. That said, the soft‑start, low‑RPM stability, and excellent balance here make this one of the friendlier rotaries to learn on.

The bottom line

This DeWalt variable‑speed polisher is a well‑sorted, powerful rotary that’s comfortable to use for long stretches and precise enough to finish with care. The 12‑amp motor and electronic speed control deliver consistent performance; the soft‑start and trigger/dial combo give you fine control; and the build quality—from the gearing to the debris shield and brush access—suggests a tool designed for years of service.

Recommendation: I recommend it. It’s a reliable, balanced rotary with real power, smart speed management, and thoughtful serviceability. If you need a corded polisher that can compound hard and still behave at low RPM for finishing, this one earns a spot on the cart.