What's the issue here?

[aerogt01]

What's the issue here? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/42206-what-s-issue-here.html)

To preface: I have worked with power tools my entire life. It is not outside a regular workday for me to pick up a drill, die grinder, or even a 2hp air-powered angle grinder and go to town on steel, aluminum, or composite parts. Suffice it to say, I am very comfortable working with any power tool and quickly learn whatever I pick up, including the DA.

Enter the PC 7424.

<rant>
This thing has to be the most anemic, underpowered tool I have ever used, and feels like a joke in my hands.

I have polished out several cars with it, and the more I use it, the more I hate it. Right now I am working on my own vehicle (2001 Grand Prix) and using M105 on a cutting pad. It finishes LSP ready, but it is a bear to even get defects out! I am not done yet, and am loathe to get back to it. I have had the polisher on speed 6 with and much pressure as I can muster, and it still does not remove RIDS and/or deep (not through the clear) scuffs with multiple passes.

The difference between speed 5 and 6 is ridiculous. Speed 6 feels like the thing is going to jiggle apart, and quickly wears my Edge pads (I only have one of each, mind you), but it is difficult to bog down the machine. Speed 5 is easily overpowered and the pad made to stop spinning.

Not to mention after a long day of polishing my hands themselves are almost shaken apart. So I spend hours and hours polishing, with what to show for it? Barely anything compared to some of the results I see here.

I'm not exactly sure what everyone one here is doing to achieve decent correction with their DA's (in under a week per vehicle), but I can assure you, my next purchase with either be a rotary or a 3401.

Maybe the problem is a 1st gen PC on 6" Edge pads. Be that as it may, I am done with the "jiggling."
</rant>

Thanks for listening! I tried to voice my frustrations with my wife and well. . . yeah. Many of you know how that would go.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Kevin,

Tell us what you really think!


:laughing: Just kidding... we're glad you feel comfortable sharing...


Just a couple of comments...

First, for many people that have worked their entire life by hand, moving up to machine polishing with a PC style polisher makes a HUGE difference in the quality of results as compared to working by hand. Also in speed, I'm pretty good at rubbing out swirls and scratches by hand but I would reach for a PC first given the choice versus working by hand.


Second... and I don't know if this applies to you but I know it applies to many and that this...

When a person first starts out a tool like the PC is the next best thing to sliced bread because previously all you knew was working by hand... then as time goes by and you master the tool... you start to feel it's doesn't offer the power you need and want.

It did in the beginning but later it doesn't. What changed? The tool? Or you?

Could be you're ready to test the waters and perhaps a Flex 3401 or a rotary buffer will be the next challenge?


Just some thoughts on the subject...


:)

[tw33k2514]

I believe Mike is right. Mostly because he just described my feelings. I cannot wait to buy a Flex. And that has nothing to do with the PC being bad. It gave me a lot of joy, and it did its job, albeit sloooooowly, but it did it none the less.

[aerogt01]

I completely agree it is better than working by hand. To be honest, if I did not have the PC I would not have even attempted the whole car by hand.

To answer your question, I believe I changed faster than the tool could keep up. It almost seems as if by the time I learned to use it, it wasn't enough. I'm not sure how much difference the extra power from the GG or 7424XP would make. But to be honest, I don't have the cash to try something out and sell it at a personal hit if I don't like it.

Anyway, just something I needed to get off my mind. Thanks for the thoughts, Mike!

[rwright]

Kind of like when you graduated from bicycle to car, the car was great at first but now you're ready for a Corvette :D. So even with the 1st gen PC, what kind of car are you working on and how aggressive is your cutting pad? Maybe a change here could fill the void until you pick up a more powerful machine?

[Old Pirate]

To preface: I have worked with power tools my entire life. It is not outside a regular workday for me to pick up a drill, die grinder, or even a 2hp air-powered angle grinder and go to town on steel, aluminum, or composite parts. Suffice it to say, I am very comfortable working with any power tool and quickly learn whatever I pick up, including the DA.

Enter the PC 7424.

<rant>
This thing has to be the most anemic, underpowered tool I have ever used, and feels like a joke in my hands.

I have polished out several cars with it, and the more I use it, the more I hate it. Right now I am working on my own vehicle (2001 Grand Prix) and using M105 on a cutting pad. It finishes LSP ready, but it is a bear to even get defects out! I am not done yet, and am loathe to get back to it. I have had the polisher on speed 6 with and much pressure as I can muster, and it still does not remove RIDS and/or deep (not through the clear) scuffs with multiple passes.

The difference between speed 5 and 6 is ridiculous. Speed 6 feels like the thing is going to jiggle apart, and quickly wears my Edge pads (I only have one of each, mind you), but it is difficult to bog down the machine. Speed 5 is easily overpowered and the pad made to stop spinning.

Not to mention after a long day of polishing my hands themselves are almost shaken apart. So I spend hours and hours polishing, with what to show for it? Barely anything compared to some of the results I see here.

I'm not exactly sure what everyone one here is doing to achieve decent correction with their DA's (in under a week per vehicle), but I can assure you, my next purchase with either be a rotary or a 3401.

Maybe the problem is a 1st gen PC on 6" Edge pads. Be that as it may, I am done with the "jiggling."
</rant>

Thanks for listening! I tried to voice my frustrations with my wife and well. . . yeah. Many of you know how that would go.


Hi Kevin,

Tell us what you really think!


:laughing: Just kidding... we're glad you feel comfortable sharing...


Just a couple of comments...

First, for many people that have worked their entire life by hand, moving up to machine polishing with a PC style polisher makes a HUGE difference in the quality of results as compared to working by hand. Also in speed, I'm pretty good at rubbing out swirls and scratches by hand but I would reach for a PC first given the choice versus working by hand.


Second... and I don't know if this applies to you but I know it applies to many and that this...

When a person first starts out a tool like the PC is the next best thing to sliced bread because previously all you knew was working by hand... then as time goes by and you master the tool... you start to feel it's doesn't offer the power you need and want.

It did in the beginning but later it doesn't. What changed? The tool? Or you?

Could be you're ready to test the waters and perhaps a Flex 3401 or a rotary buffer will be the next challenge?


Just some thoughts on the subject...


:)


I agreed with Mike Phillips on this but have you try on smaller pads like the Lake Country hydro Tech Pads 5.5 X 7/8 or the Meguiar's DA MF System? These have help in cutting the time down on polishing / compounding the paint and save one's hand from that " jiggling " effort you have mention.

[aerogt01]

what kind of car are you working on and how aggressive is your cutting pad? Maybe a change here could fill the void until you pick up a more powerful machine?

M105 on a Green Edge pad.

I would have to agree, a cyan or yellow may produce better results, just waiting on the $$. (Will be for a while.)

[rider9195]

Step up to the Flex if you have the money and think the PC is not powerful enough for what you need it for. Personally I think and know the PC can do some big correction. Just takes more time than other polishers.

[rwright]

Do you have M205 by chance?

[aerogt01]

Do you have M205 by chance?

I do but I haven't used it much.

[rwright]

You're about to, a small sample package will be going out shortly. Just hang in there and don't give up just yet :).

[Mike Phillips]

To piggy back on the point zoomzoom mazda5 made but not so much for the OP but for everyone that will read this into the future...

I wrote this just for people that own and use the first generation Porter Cable units...

The short how-to guide for using a DA Polisher
How to maximize the ability of the 1st Generation Porter Cable Dual Action Polishers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-ability-1st-gen-porter-cable-dual-action-polishers.html)



It's also pretty much covered in my e-book and the paperback version.


Mike Phillips' The Art of Detailing Paperback Book (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-paperback-book.html)



:)

[erock]

Putting all the pressure you can muster may not be a good decision when you have a machine with a free floating spindle assembly. this could hinder the pad from spinning and being effective to some degree. Try using less pressure and slow arm movements.Let the machine work hard ...just a thought...

[aerogt01]

Putting all the pressure you can muster may not be a good decision when you have a machine with a free floating spindle assembly. this could hinder the pad from spinning and being effective to some degree. Try using less pressure and slow arm movements.Let the machine work hard ...just a thought...

I kept a careful eye on pad spinning. It did not slow down significantly, but speed 6 ruins my pads.

[Kristopher1129]

I had the very same feelings towards the PC. I've used my Makita for years, and it just felt like a step down. ALTHOUGH, I have found many uses for the PC. I feel when it comes to correction though...that the rotary cuts faster, and makes quick work of defects. Where as the PC I feel like I have to repeat steps to get results.

I also agree with the speed difference between 5 and 6. It's a pretty dramatic change. And on 6, it really does feel like it wants to implode, haha.

It takes some getting used to, but it's still a good machine. Would I buy another one though? Probably not. I'd definitely have no problem trying a different DA.