Counterweight question when running 3" pads

NLS8520

NLS8520

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My PC7424 XP as a 5" counterweight as stock, when running these smaller pads say in my case a 3" pad do you just keep the 5" counterweight as is? I plan to run the 3 inch pad and backing plate from Lake Country.
 
I use my HF DA that way [using the 3" LC BP & pads] and it's absolutely no problem. You'll be fine.


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NLS8520 said:
Thanks for the reply would be interested to find out if LC took the downsizing into consideration agreed.
Click to expand...

It's a pretty bare bones backing plate.


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I did transition my PC 7424 XP to a 3 inch pad (so I guess the backing plate is a tad smaller. It works well but there is a lot of fibration now. I did a quick scan of the AG store and a general search on Google but came out empty with counterweights smaller than 5 inch for the PC. Does anyone know if these exist, and if so where to get them?

It probably won't cause any problem running this config as is, but I would really like to cut the vibration down.

If a counterweight for 3 inch backing plates was available for Meguiars G110V2 polishers, I could switch them around too.

I am wondering if the counterweight for the 3 inch Griot's Garage mini polisher could be used on other machines...?
 
I converted my PC to a 3" as well. As Calendyr says, the vibration increases a bit, but nothing that bad IMO.

Also, I rarely run the 3" pads past speed 4-4 1/2. But that's just me.

I also run the LC 3" plate with Griot's 3" pads. (Regular and BOSS).
 
•If memory serves me correctly:
-The PorterCable’s counterweight “sizes”
mainly becomes a factor when using the
DA as a sander.


Bob
 
Counterweight question when running 3" pads

I forgot I took these pictures till I read this thread.

For comparison

LC 3.5” orbital 2.6oz

17ce330ff2b51b722a04c7c29fccd1e1.png


BOSS 3” 3.2oz

943c5eb2101c4d838fcb89d804ac0b18.png


HF 6” 5.0oz

79ec4e9f19f2f8094a5716f72d4f37f9.png



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I use a 3" LC backing plate, and 3" LC Flat Pads on my 7424XP, and there's no noticeable increase in vibration or anything over the 5" BP and pads.
 
For 3" and 4" pad / plates I use a tool set up with a 5" counterweight.

For 5", and 6" pad / plates, I use the tool set up with the 6" counterweight.
 
dlc95 said:
For 3" and 4" pad / plates I use a tool set up with a 5" counterweight.

For 5", and 6" pad / plates, I use the tool set up with the 6" counterweight.
Click to expand...

Did that make any difference? 15 years ago counterweight discussions were all the rage, but I think ulitmately, as FunX said, it was pretty much a moot point for polishing, because any velcro plate/polishing pad combo was so much heavier than a smooth plate/piece of sandpaper.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Did that make any difference? 15 years ago counterweight discussions were all the rage, but I think ulitmately, as FunX said, it was pretty much a moot point for polishing, because any velcro plate/polishing pad combo was so much heavier than a smooth plate/piece of sandpaper.
Click to expand...

Yes.

Noticeable reduction in vibration in 3/3.5" with the 5" weight, and greater power, and reduced vibration with 5" plate.

They would need a heavier weight to offset the 6" pad set up when fitted with a 6.5" pad.

Everything steps up a level when a pad is on the plate over a piece of paper.

I've run a 6" weight in my PC since day one. Once I got one with a 5" weight, I could see what everyone was talking about regarding the lack of power with the PC. That inertia with the heavier weight definitely helps things out - not incredibly drastically, but noticeable.
 
I'm not sure I'm following you...I changed the counterweights on any PC's I had that had the 5" to the 6"...but you're saying you get better performance on the smaller (3") pads with the 5" weight? I never changed any of mine back for use with smaller pads, I usually have one set up for 4" that still has the 6" weight in it.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I'm not sure I'm following you...I changed the counterweights on any PC's I had that had the 5" to the 6"...but you're saying you get better performance on the smaller (3") pads with the 5" weight? I never changed any of mine back for use with smaller pads, I usually have one set up for 4" that still has the 6" weight in it.
Click to expand...

Yes.

I get less vibration using the 5" weight with the 3, and 3.5" plates.

Like you I have one set up for 4" pads, and one for 5.5".
 
Here's a question....

Besides the Porter Cable in all it's variations - is there ANY other simple 8mm free spinning DA that offers the option to change to a different counterweight? Does any of the other makers of all the copies of the Porter Cable even make a different counterweight?


Or is Porter Cable the ONLY company that offers a choice in counterweights?



Maybe someone can do some searching?


Me? I have 2019 Plastic Fantastic to buff out today...



:)
 
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