Harbor Freight polisher question

By the time you add a better backing plate and some pads you may as well go with one of the starter kits offered here for just a few dollars more. Don't get me wrong, for the price it's a decent machine and makes a good backup (or carpet or tire scrubber), but there's just something about it that scares me away from using it on preciously thin clear coats. I realize it's just a stigma. But for like $50 more you'll get a proven workhorse Porter Cable 7424XP, a high quality PU backing plate, three flat pads and a couple of decent microfiber towels.

Porter Cable 7424xp Value Kit
 
I've had one for a couple years now and really like it. I caught it on sale and used a coupon I found in a car magazine. I think it ended up being around $45 out the door.

The first year I owned it, I used the stock plate with HF's pads. They actually worked well, but the polishing and compounding pads would only last one vehicle before coming apart. After that, I switched up to a 5" LC backing plate and 5.5" LC pads and have never looked back.

I think it was a great value. For the price of the tool and the LC backing plate and pads, I came out well under the price of another brand's machine. It works really well and I've been able to get great results. My only complaint is it's a little loud. However, since I always wear hearing protection when using power tools, it's a moot point for me.
 
Use a coupon, grab a 5" LC backing plate, and you're good to go. I also have a 3" LC backing plate that I use with smaller pads. The cycle brushes work great with it too.

I believe this is more on par with the GG 6" - it is more powerful than the PC. The PC is a great tool, and nearly impossible to do any damage with, but the cost:power ratio on the HF is great. If I did this any more frequently than I do, I'd definitely grab a Flex or a Rupes. But for the hobbiest/no rush part timer - this is a great value.
 
Kyle_Elantra said:
Use a coupon, grab a 5" LC backing plate, and you're good to go. I also have a 3" LC backing plate that I use with smaller pads. The cycle brushes work great with it too.

I believe this is more on par with the GG 6" - it is more powerful than the PC. The PC is a great tool, and nearly impossible to do any damage with, but the cost:power ratio on the HF is great. If I did this any more frequently than I do, I'd definitely grab a Flex or a Rupes. But for the hobbiest/no rush part timer - this is a great value.
Click to expand...

Totally agree.

Reading through you comment about having a 3" plate for it makes me think I might pick up a second one with a coupon simply for the 3" usage. If I catch the sales and coupons right I'll get both DA's for less than the GG 3" polisher.
 
this HF DA is a great bargain (especially at this sale price and if you also have a coupon) and it's been proven reliable every bit as much as any other DA out there. throw on a 5" (also 3"-3.5") DA backing plate and you're good to go...
 
I just bought one of these and during the AGO black friday sale picked up an LC 5" bp and 5.5" LC pads. Can you use a 3" bp and pads with this? Do you need to switch out the counterweight when doing so?

I'm new to DA polishers so I'm not real familiar with what is needed.
 
Just to reiterate what everyone has said, buy autogeek worthy pads and plates, 5.5 inch or 3 inch Lake Country with the matching backing plate, and you are good to go. I've had mine for about 6 months and haven't run into any problems. It's good enough for a hobbyist, I can't justify spending the money for a Flex, yet...
 
DRO220 said:
I just bought one of these and during the AGO black friday sale picked up an LC 5" bp and 5.5" LC pads. Can you use a 3" bp and pads with this? Do you need to switch out the counterweight when doing so?

I'm new to DA polishers so I'm not real familiar with what is needed.
Click to expand...


I wonder as well

Has anyone altered the counterweight in their PC for using 3" pads?

Did it smooth out the operation if the machine?
 
Justify? What's that? Hehehe...

What do you label a hobbyist who owns an HF, PC, GG and has just (unjustifiably) picked up a Flex?
 
DRO220 said:
I just bought one of these and during the AGO black friday sale picked up an LC 5" bp and 5.5" LC pads. Can you use a 3" bp and pads with this? Do you need to switch out the counterweight when doing so?

I'm new to DA polishers so I'm not real familiar with what is needed.
Click to expand...

not necessary, but if you do decide the change the counterweight, it may or may not reduce the vibration...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APNPkGQimFo
 
allenk4 said:
I wonder as well

Has anyone altered the counterweight in their PC for using 3" pads?

Did it smooth out the operation if the machine?
Click to expand...
Does either the "dry/wet" weight of 3" foam buffing pads...and their companion backing plates...ever exceed the weight of either one of the PC's 5"/6" counterweights?

To me, in order to have a smoother operating PC7424, it would make more sense to leave the standard 5" counterweight for the smaller-sized foam pads/backing plates...and go to a more heavier (~75-80 grams) counterweight for larger-sized foam pads/backing plates.


Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
Does either the "dry/wet" weight of 3" foam buffing pads...and their companion backing plates...ever exceed the weight of either one of the PC's 5"/6" counterweights?

To me, in order to have a smoother operating PC7424, it would make more sense to leave the standard 5" counterweight for the smaller-sized foam pads/backing plates...and go to a more heavier (~75-80 grams) counterweight for larger-sized foam pads/backing plates.


Bob
Click to expand...

Then why not a lighter counter-weight when using 3-4" pads?
 
allenk4 said:
Then why not a lighter counter-weight when using 3-4" pads?
Click to expand...
As I alluded to:
Once the 3-4" pads are In Use,
they will naturally become "heavier".

Thus, IMO:
The need then arises to balance-out that "heavier-weight"; and, by having the polisher equipped with either of the 5-6" counterweights is a sensible way towards that goal.


Bob
 
I think one of the reasons some of us have more than one machine is because the different polishers have different strengths. If you already own one and it serves you well, you might consider saving up for a Flex with its forced rotation or a Bigfoot with its long throw, both of which might make certain tasks easier or quicker (or both). Between the HF, GG, Meg's 110v2 and PC, the only big difference is the greater torque of the GG. At the end of the day, two of any of these is almost like having two of the same tool.

On the other hand if you're happy with an entry-level polisher for what you need it to do, you might consider getting another one and outfitting it with a different-sized backing plate or even the Cyclo brush for scrubbing tires or carpets. Changing BPs is a bit of a hassle, so an extra $60 or $100 might be money well spent, perhaps.
 
I have one of these, have an extension and 2.5" stiff backing plate on it for 3" pads. I ONLY use this for headlights that way I never have to switch out backing plates. The vibrations from it are.. well your hands will be tingly i'm sure. I wouldn't suggest using it for long periods of time, but, was worth every penny for headlight restoration use.

Also i only paid about $45.00 for mine with the 25% off coupon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top