Like you, I totally understand the lack or shortage of funds. It's a total bummer when the money isn't there for something that you want. Trust me, I understand, respect, and hate that -- all at the same time. (side note: we're working on the 'details' of stepping in to a different house -- financing and money definitely sucks).

Anyway... with regards to a DA versus an orbital...

These are two different machines. In your post, you note that you like both of your orbitals; by the definition, you own a dual-action machine and an orbital machine. One machine simply spins (orbital) and the other will have a spinning motion as well as an up and down motion (dual-action).

They're pretty different, really...

Most of the time, an orbital is just powerful enough to apply a product and, much of the time, are equipped with pads (wool, for example) that really aren't the best fit for the application of last step products. The problem with an orbital is that it just doesn't have enough umph to really work through even the most simple of paint blemishes like very light swirling or very light oxidation. I should caveat this by saying that I've not used a 'Sears' orbital (I have held one though) so, maybe this is the exception to the rule as I know it's a much better built machine than the $25 version that you'll find at your local Pep Boys.

The dual-action (aka: G100, 7424, 7336, DA, PC) is a bit more powerful and offers a great deal of versatility in that you can swap pads out that are designed for use on the device. These pads will enable you to get to the meat and potatoes of most common paint problems in that the machine will have enough oompah to really spin the pads and work the products that are designed to be used with them.

Both devices do have some common ground, though. Both can apply last step products with ease. Both can be used to remove products (although, I definitely don't recommend it with either -- especially with an 'old terry towel'). Both run on AC currents.

I'm not knocking the orbital machine - it has it's place - but, it's an apples to oranges comparison for the most part. The DA will have more ooompah and can cut through much more than what the orbital can do. They are very different machines.

 

While laughing at myself, I stand corrected. I have both the PC7424 and the Sears dual action; i.e. swirls around in circles while at the same time changes orbital position.

I used the Sears DA for years with some high degree of satisfaction. When from this Board I read the many praises about the PC7424 I jumped in. What I found difficult about the PC7424 was finding the base pad and the covering pad that met my desired use. I chose to go with the white sponge base pad with the white terry cloth bonnet. Then on this site I read praise about the Orange Microfiber bonnets, which I then purchased. I found the microfiber bonnets slightly smaller in size when fitted onto the white sponge base pad, thus there was a pinched bump that made me feel the bump would give off something less that a smooth, flat base. So I now use only the white terry cloth pads that fit well.

RockPick, I concur there are many combinations of pads and bonnets that work well, but only in the eye of the beholder (or, eye of the DA owner).

Thanks for the courteous correction.