5 inch vs 6 inch pads

[BLM]

Just bought a new Hercules polisher from Harbor Freight. It comes with a 5 1/2 inch backing plate which takes 6 inch pads. I did buy a Grant's ( new offering from HF ) cutting pad and a polishing pad in the 6 inch. Figured I try them and if they work well then getting pads is as close as HF.

However I do have some new, unused 5 inch cutting and polishing pads that I had bought for using on my 7424. There is a 4 1/2 inch backing plate available that fits the Hercules.

What's. Your preference in pads or it doesn't make much of a difference? Might just get a 3 inch backing plate for the old 7424 as maybe that will keep it from collecting dust. Or I think I have a brand new 5 inch backing plate for the 7424. Could try to cut that down for three inch pads.

So what size are the backing plates for the 3 inch pads. I assume they are 2 1/2 inch. Harbor Freight offers the Grant's pads in 3, 5 and 6 inch.

 

[Desertnate]

My preference is the five inch pads. I used to use a HF polisher and noticed a big difference in cutting ability when I moved from the six inch pads to five. Most common short-through DA's seem do be able to move a five inch pad better than a six. Even my Griots G15 which is more powerful and has a longer throw even runs a five inch pad.

I would recommend going with better pads too. Something from Lake Country, Rupes, or Buff and Shine will make a big difference. Unless HF has greatly improved their pads, the ones I used didn't polish all that great and they would fall apart after a single job.

 

[BLM]

Yes i think the other 5 inch pads i have are Lake Country.
The pads Harbor Freight is offering are Grant brand and are just coming out. Have only been in their stores a few weeks.
Their old pads were Bauer brand and yes they were an inferior brand.
The only other Grants brand product i have tried is their glass towels and they are a good product.
Harbor Freight seems to be stepping up their game and offering some better products. I did pick up a stud finder in Harbor Freight yesterday as my 30 year old one crapped out. I was shocked to see “made in the USA” on the package. Their Icon brand is a good brand also and i believe their Icon products are made to compete with the big boys.

 

[Rsurfer]

3” And 5” pads are the way to go except if you are using a rotary.

 

[John U]

5" straight edged pads on curvy, angular bodies. I use a 6" pad that flares out to 7" on long flat surfaces.

 

[SNP209]

Since it is gear driven you don't have to worry about pad stall, so it is really up to you. I went with the smaller backing plate because I already have a bunch of 5.5" pads and didn't want to purchase 6" pads. I use my maxshine m8s (griot's gg6 clone) as a dedicated 3" now.

 

[BLM]

I went with the smaller backing plate because I already have a bunch of 5.5" pads and didn't want to purchase 6" pads.

Yes I have ordered the 4 3/8 backing plate thanks to your recommendation. Returned the 6 inch Grant's pad for 5 inch pads so looks like I'll be going 5 inch going forward. Have half dozen or so other brand new 5 inch pads so the 5 inch makes sense.