Question on using a 3" Pad on a 5.5" Porter Cable DA

[JoshRandall]

If I use a 3" pad on the porter cable do I need a counter weight? Where would I find one I can't find any. I've seen lots of videos and even one on here or another site that sells detailing equipment of using 3" pads on a PC. But from what I've read using a 3" pad should result in a lot of vibration because of lack of counter balance.

Does anyone have any experience with using a 3" pad on the PC. And will it be fine without the counter weight?

Thanks!

[Kamakaz1961]

I use the PC7424XP with a 2 7/8 Backing Plate for the 3" Pads all the time. I have had no issues about vibration or even the need of a counterweight. I use it to mainly apply a carnauba wax. You can do correction to with the right Pads.

As for the Backing Plates I think AGO sells them (2 7/8). Look into Lake Country as they sell the Backing Plates in a multitude of sizes for the PC and its equivalent DA.

[JoshRandall]

I use the PC7424XP with a 2 7/8 Backing Plate for the 3" Pads all the time. I have had no issues about vibration or even the need of a counterweight. I use it to mainly apply a carnauba wax. You can do correction to with the right Pads.

As for the Backing Plates I think AGO sells them (2 7/8). Look into Lake Country as they sell the Backing Plates in a multitude of sizes for the PC and its equivalent DA.

Awesome thank you for that! I'm planning on using 3" sanding discs to polish my headlights. I don't have a 7424 but it is a 5.5" PC DA so I think it would be practically identical.

[allenk4]

If I use a 3" pad on the porter cable do I need a counter weight? Where would I find one I can't find any. I've seen lots of videos and even one on here or another site that sells detailing equipment of using 3" pads on a PC. But from what I've read using a 3" pad should result in a lot of vibration because of lack of counter balance.

Does anyone have any experience with using a 3" pad on the PC. And will it be fine without the counter weight?

Thanks!

Yes, you absolutely need a counter weight for the machine to operate properly with any sided pad

The 7424 comes with a counter weight already installed