I thought the PC Guard was actually a smaller shroud that lets you get into tighter areas?
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Allen, thanks for the thread. With a Flex 3401 inbound, I was looking for a way to convert my old 7424 to a smaller pad for spot correction & tight spaces. This seems like a hardier solution than the Griots 3" polisher.
I noticed one of the reviewers of the adapter (Lou Jacobelli) mentioned severe vibration problems which led to several 7424XPs disassembling themselves. Has anyone had that problem while using the Flex-Foam HD Rotary Backing Plate? I was also considering an LC plate + 4" Spot Buff pads.
I have used this backing plate with Lake Country 3" Flat Pads on my Porter Cable 7424XP.
3 Inch Dual Action Flexible Backing Plate, da backing plate, random orbital backing plate
This set up has been working fine.
Thanks, Mike. That looks like a more secure solution without an adapter, and I may be happier with a 3" pad, too. As much as I'd like a tiny Rupes TA50, I should be able to reach most areas on my vehicles with a 7424 + 3" pad. I think I'll give the 3" LC Hydro Pads a try.
Is downsizing pads an uncommon practice for the 7424? It seems natural to me since it's a popular tool, and I doubt many are worn out before an upgrade is purchased.
I wish AG made it easier to look at their full array of pads. Having all pads represented in a sortable table by size, material, cut, brand, price, #-pack availability, special features, etc. would make shopping simpler.
I'm a rotary user but I'm pretty sure there's a lot companies that make D.A. backing plates made for that size pad...I could be wrong but either way cool setup man!
If folks don't mind, I'll add a little about the PC Guard.
I searched the web for this, and thought it a good idea. Surely, nobody wants to bang a metal shroud into a mirror-etc and mar-scratch-ding paint. I think I paid $10 for this little item.
The shipping was quick from the seller, but sort of laughed when I opened the delivered envelope package. I sort of felt I was taken.
All it is, is a length of peel and stick neoprene type rubber weatherstrip. While I don't believe you will find the exact same material at any big box home improvement stores, I'm sure some specialty places may carry such, and am sure you could find such at places like McMaster-Carr.
Mine never stayed stuck very long, the ends began to lift even though I fully degreased the Shroud with 91% IPA prior to installation.
Thus I had to again come behind a day later with a couple drops of Crazy Glue to re-affix.
Mark, I was wondering if the guard stayed put; guess not. A one-piece boot would probably be a better solution, and I have an idea that might work. The right Fernco flexible coupling might do the job if it was cut down and secured with a zip tie or a shrink tube covered hose clamp. Those couplings are very durable, fairly cheap, and are in many plumbing sections. I'll give it a try when I put my mini-PC kit together.
Attachment 49680
Yes, I think if one could find a coupling, or hose, or ?, of the appropriate diameter, that it could be perhaps cut to the width of the Shroud, and then possibly "stretched" over and onto the Shroud. Thus, there would then be no need to tie-wrap.
Or, if one could find Neoprene Sheeting, or even if you had something like a heavy duty Neoprene Glove, that the wrist area could be cut off, and in this instance could be glued to the shroud with contact cement, excess overhang of width could be easily trimmed after attaching with a Ultility-Exacto Knife.
All could accomplish the same thing, eliminating contact of the metal shroud with a vehicle.
Try using 3M's Trim Tape on the 'neoprene to PC'.
Talk about somethin' that sticks! Almost too much 'stick'.
Bill