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SPEC Machines™

Industrial "Hand Held" Surface Polishing/Buffing Equipment.

(Manufactured since 1996)

"DRUM TYPE" Polishers have been developed to RAPIDLY "deep clean" & polish, plus, provide a "consistent" finish, on very large surfaces.

The "DRUM" type polishing machines do not completely replace, "circular" type polishers, but greatly augment any polishing / cleaning process, specifically on large surfaces. "Drum" type polishers, used with proper techniques & polishing products, will allow for a far more efficient, consistent and longer lasting finish, on a wide variety of surfaces, (painted, bare metal, aluminium, composite, plastic, acrylic, Plexiglas™, Lexan™, etc.,). The most notable benefits of utilizing "DRUM" type polishers is a greatly reduced labour time, (approximately 1/3rd that of circular polishers. ie: a DeHavilland Dash 8 - 78 man hours with circular polishers verses 22 man hours with Drum type polishers), with improved safety, to not only the operators, but to the work surface itself. The SPEC Machines™ "Drum" type polishers are indeed, the most advanced, reliable, versatile and largest, industrial "hand held" surface polishing machines, available on the market today.

"DRUM TYPE" polishers are intended for, and work best for, finishing and general "routine" maintenance on large surfaces. They do not work well for corrosion or material removal, unless used with the SPEC "SD" drum, with speciality abrasive brushes, (available from the 3M™ Company). Contact us for more information on this subject.

The SPEC Machine model "SA and "LA" and SPEC 1300B "Detailer" Drum polishers all require a consistent air supply of a minimum of 30 cfm (cubic feet per minute) @ 85 - 90 psi, for maximum performance, (full torque). A "Rotary Screw" or "Helical" type compressor is recommended.

Our ongoing commitment is in providing our customers with the finest products possible. SPEC Distribution International Inc. has undertaken the task of designing, developing & manufacturing the most advanced, reliable & versatile, industrial, "hand held", large surface polishing machines, available on the market today. They may look simple, but have been designed for INDUSTRIAL use. We have taken all the best features of current and past "DRUM" type polishers designs and improved on them. We have designed and built this equipment with extensive and valuable input from our customers who specilize in the "large surface" industrial polishing markets. These clients include: BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE Inc, LEARJET (Div. Bombardier Aerospace), NASA's (Dryden Flight Resaerch Center), AVIONET Inc., AERO MEXICO, LUFTHANSA TECHNIK, EXECUJET (Dubai), FBO SKYSERVICE, INNOTEC / EXECAIRE, AIR CANADA & AIR CANADA "JAZZ".

Features and Benefits of the SPEC Machines™ DRUM Polishers are:

Proudly Designed, Engineered & Built in Quebec, CANADA. since 1996

The pictures above & below, show the SPEC Machines™ Model "SA" in a few of it's interchangeable configurations. Above, is with a 4"X7" Cotton Finishing pad on the DHW™ 4" X 7" (#SPEC47) Composite drum. With a simple standard 1/4" allen key and one 1/4 Grade 8 Allen bolt, the Model "SA" can be converted to either of the configurations below, shown with the specially designed drum (#SPEC37) that will accept either a 4"(shown below on left) or 6" wide X 8" diameter, 3M™ Scotchbrite® drum, for "SATIN" finishes, or as in the right side, using the same drum, it can accept single or multiple, (stacked) standard 1/2"wide X 8" Diameter polishing wheels, (available in many types & varieties) for tool mark repair, heavy material suface alteration or "texturing" etc.

The upper control handle is fully adjustable, (using the same standard 1/4" allen key) to assure proper and safe operator control, "over center" for exact control. Also can be re-configured easily, for "Left Handed" operators.


Shown below is the SPEC Machines™ Model "LA" with the 5" X 7" drum and SPEC57 pads. This configuration is for polishing very large surfaces from a "stand off" distance or standing position. For instance, aircraft fuselage sides and crowns or in the case of the top wing surfaces, the operator can be in a comfortable standing position, as opposed to "hunched over" when using circular type polishers. The use of an optional 2 ft extension allows for a greater (and safer) "reach" (see pics below). The tool actually becomes "weightless" on fuselage sides and crowns as it will "climb" or "walk" away from the operator. All the operator has to do, is control the speed or rate, of the walk or climb. The control handle (shown in the extended position below) can be easily re-positioned for maximim operator comfort and control.

Above: Shows production SPEC "LA"'s, with & without 2' Extension handle (Part# SH2X) attached & 5"X7" Pads

Below: Shows the different "reach" capabilities of the SPEC "SA" & "LA" with an SH2X, 2' Extension handle. Note: re-positioning of the throttle and the "control handle" on the "LA". (The "SA", throttle & "control handle", would be re- positioned similarly, should the SH2X be actually connected to the "SA". The Ruler is 4'(1.25m) for scale.


The Parker Hannifin™ "EZ-Mate" quick connect-disconnect SAFETY throttle, (Speed Control).

Each SPEC Machines™ unit comes with a Parker Hannifin™ "EZ-Mate" quick connect-disconnect SAFETY throttle. This unique design allows the throttle to be part of the air line, independent of the tool. Similar systems require a throttle with each tool. In a scenario where you have three types of tools but only one air line, you simply plug the tool directly to the line and you have instant throttle control. As an added saftey feature, the tool can only be connected (or disconnected) with the throttle in the CLOSED position. This prevents accidental connections to a 2 hp, open throttled machine, spinning at 2000 +RPM. (The results can be quite exciting.Trust me, I know!) The "EZ-Mate" has venting ports, that "exhaust" down stream air to atmosphere, so disconnect is at ZERO pressure, thereby eliminating dangerous "HOSE WHIP". The "EZ-Mate" is not only safe but allows the operator "precision" speed control of the tool.

Below demonstrates the "Safe Reach Capabilities" of the SPEC Machines™ "DRUM" type polishing machines (with & without SH2X, 2' Extension handle).

The picture on the top left is of the horizontal tail on a DeHavilland "DASH 8". It is approximately 30 ft (15 meters) high and you can only get the lift so close to your work. The center picture demonstrates the "reach" of a SPEC Machine™ in a rather tight area for a scissor truck or similar. The picture on the far right shows a polishing operation on a wide body AIRBUS A330-300 using one of the drum buffers with 2, 2 ft (61 cm) extension handles attatched. This truly demonstrates the safe "reach capability" of the SPEC Machines™ polishers. Try maneuvering a lift between the fuselage and engine nacelle without sweating about hitting the aircraft. Accomplishing these jobs, with anything less than a "DRUM" type polisher, with a 2 ft (61 cm) extension handle(s) installed, is not only almost impossible, but downright dangerous. The less you have to maneuver a lift, around & next to, the aircraft, the less chance for "an accident". The job becomes quicker & more importantly, far safer, for all concerned.


Above: "Drum" Type Buffer in use for paint polishing on a deHavilland TWIN OTTER. Note: Difference on polished sections of paint.
Below: "DRUM" type polishers in use:

Leading edge polishing

Paint Polishing

 

 

 

Plexiglas™ Polishing

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

"Stand Up" deep clean / polishing operations on a BOMBARDIER Aerospace, Challenger 700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Above: Paint "rejuvenation" deep clean / polish on an AIRBUS A330-300

Below: Some delicate "Warbird" restoration work.

A B C D

Note the above sequence, from top right, clockwise. As the drum buffer is pulled down, (the "cut" stroke), the polish is applied and leaves a black residue. As the buffer moves back up, (the "color" stroke), pict B & C, the black residue dissapears, resulting in a highly polished finish, without the conventional "wipe out" step, common with circular polishers.
The aircraft shown is a 1940's North American T-6 "TEXAN" belonging to the Canadian Warplane Heritage in Mt. Hope, Ontario. The polishing is by SKYWAVE Polishing of Toronto. The polish used is ROLITE™ "AP-300"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the right: One pass (cut & color) with a "DRUM" type polisher. What is rather interesting about this series of pictures, is; note the sticker and the yellow painted tip. No damage to each. This truly attests to how safe "DRUM" type of polishing is, to any given surface.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Above: Engine inlet rings. A proper polishing not only looks attractive, but allows for proper and effecient airflow and eliminates the onset of corrosion.


Below we find some difficult work at best. The alloy involved, by design, has to withstand extremely high temperatures and thererefore is very difficult to bring to a bright finish. That being said, the right products, equipment and techniques were able to acomplish the task.


Below: An example of what can be accomplished with the proper polish, equipment and techniques.


To see the SPEC Machines™ "Detailer", a smaller "mini" drum type polisher for smaller parts / areas, click here.

For more information on your specific needs and on "DRUM" Type Surface Polishing Technology, please

E-Mail usat your convenience. (Please put: SPEC Machine Information Request, in the subject line.

It helps weed out the TONS of spam we get.)
or, telephone (450) 458-2304 (Eastern Standard Time) - Fax# (450) 458-0065 (Eastern Standard Time)

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