3 inch Backing Plate & PC 7424

[gatoman39]

When using a 3 inch Backing Plate & PC 7424. Is it paramount to remove the 5 inch counter weight? Or is it six of 1 half dozen of another?

[DARK HORSE]

No need to remove it, also need need to exchange it with any other cw. I've used mine w/ both 4" and 5.5" pads for years with the cw that came with the pc.

[5.4 Shelby]

Mine runs fine with 3 or 4 in BP/Pads and original counter weight.

[gatoman39]

That's what I figured. The counterweight has a warning on there, which makes you pause for thought.

[Rsurfer]

That's what I figured. The counterweight has a warning on there, which makes you pause for thought.
The counterweight might make a difference with a thin sanding disk, but doesn't seem to make a difference with a foam pad.

[gatoman39]

The counterweight might make a difference with a thin sanding disk, but doesn't seem to make a difference with a foam pad.
What about Meguiars DA system cutting discs? Thicker than a sanding disc, but thinner than a foam pad.

[5.4 Shelby]

What about Meguiars DA system cutting discs? Thicker than a sanding disc, but thinner than a foam pad.
I just did 2 cars with the DA MF 5 in pads on my GG 6 in and 3 in pads on my 7424. Absolutley no problem.

[gatoman39]

I just did 2 cars with the DA MF 5 in pads on my GG 6 in and 3 in pads on my 7424. Absolutley no problem.

Did the edges of the backing plate stick out?

[5.4 Shelby]

Did the edges of the backing plate stick out?
What do you mean? Over the pad, no. I could see the counterweight. The BP and pad looked really small for the polisher. I did quite a bit of the smaller areas with the 3 in pads. I am using the bp from my GG 3 in polisher.

[j8086]

What do you guys make of this, any body have a scale to tell us the weight?

Porter-Cable 7424XP Counterweight Facts (http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7424xp_counterweight.htm)

[gatoman39]

I just did 2 cars with the DA MF 5 in pads on my GG 6 in and 3 in pads on my 7424. Absolutley no problem.

You mention that you used a 5in pad on your GG 6 in. I'm assuming this has a 6 inch backing plate. So my question is... are you using a Meguiars 5inch DA cutting disc on a 6 inch backing plate?

[5.4 Shelby]

You mention that you used a 5in pad on your GG 6 in. I'm assuming this has a 6 inch backing plate. So my question is... are you using a Meguiars 5inch DA cutting disc on a 6 inch backing plate?
I see what you mean. No, it comes from GG with a 6 in bp and they call it their 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher. So most of us call it the GG 6 in.

I bought the 5in DA MF kit, which includes a (slightly less than) 5 in bp. I am using that bp on my 6 in GG polsiher.

I also have a 5 in bp I use for LC 5.5 in pads.

[gatoman39]

ok got it.
I just ordered the Flex 3401 DA, so I'm thinking of making the PC 7424 a dedicated 3 inch tool. I'm gonna try it with and without the counterweight to see if it makes a difference.

[jbgrant]

I've never tried the unit with a 3" plate and pad, but I would expect you will be better off with the 5" counter weight than without it.

As a rule, anything heavier than the factory porter cable polishing pad needs the heavier counterweight. If you are using a 5" or 6" backing plate, get the 6" weight and your unit will work much better! If you are using a 4" plate or less, the 5" factory weight is probably about right.

In reality, a 6" backing plate with a 1.25" foam pad is too heavy for the 6" weight made for the PC so I simply don't recommend moving to that large of a plate/pad with this unit. It will vibrate your arms to death.