How to downsize the BP

Danube

Danube

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As per title, I was wondering if someone can comment as to how to shave the 5.5" stock Flex 3401 B/plate and make it 5".

Thanks

:xyxthumbs:
 
Lake Country is coming out with a dual backing plates (6"- 4"). If you want
a 5" plate..take it to a machine shop and use a lathe.
 
A lathe for Velcro and sponge?

I know about the 4" and 6", but need the 5" BP for 5.5" pads.
 
I don't have an answer to your dilemma but am curios as to why you want it smaller? Thank you.
 
Rsurfer said:
Lake Country is coming out with a dual backing plates (6"- 4"). If you want
a 5" plate..take it to a machine shop and use a lathe.
Click to expand...
I had a couple of stock plates turned down to 4 7/8" by a local machine shop. Metal cutting tools tend to be very sharp and cut the backing plate cleaner than you would expect. My plates are perfect for 5 1/2" pads.
 
Danube said:
As per title, I was wondering if someone can comment as to how to shave the 5.5" stock Flex 3401 B/plate and make it 5".

Thanks

:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

From this thread:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ere-true-3-da-backing-plate-5.html#post512749

Even though it's about 3" BP....Just thought it might help you in reducing 5.5" to 5" BP.



Kevin Brown said:
Hmm... thought I posted this here on AG but couldn't find it. :dunno: It's on DW and AU.


Ah well, even though it doesn't relate to 3" backing plates, it does relate to the DA Microfiber Discs:

To maximize cutting and finishing potential of the Meguiar's DA Microfiber discs, I cut down larger plate to better fit the discs. Cut down backing plates work very well for foam pads, too.

It's my opinion that in order to mechanically optimize the DA Discs, the pad must be supported to the outer edge. Since Meguiar's does not currently offer a backing plate exactly the same diameter, I cut down a Meguiar's W68DA plate to the same size. It cuts very easy- a pair of scissors will work.

I used a carpet razor knife to cut these plates, then sanded the edges using 80 grit and then 150 grit sandpaper. The studs were chucked in a handheld electric drill, and I pushed the knife into the foam as the plate was spinning. Then, I sanded in the same manner. Make sure to wear eye protection! :cool:

This is the Meguiar's W68DA, backside shot:
W68DA-back.jpg


This is the Meguiar's W68DA, face shot:
W68DA-face.jpg


Notice that the Velcro® does not cover the entire plate.
It was designed for the 2.0 Soft Buff pads.
I cut the pad down to within a couple millimeters of the Velcro®.

The cut down version is set atop the uncut version:
cutw68davsstdw68da.jpg


This is how it looks once the backing plate is mounted to the disc:
cutw68daondmc5.jpg


This is the recommended W67DA set atop the cut down W68DA:
w67davscutw68da.jpg





I used a Mirka 106GG because I had some in stock, and they have proven to be bulletproof for me:

Mirka 106GG:
106GG-back.jpg


The cut down version set atop the uncut version:
106GGcutvsstd.jpg


This is how it looks once the backing plate is mounted to the disc:

cut106GGondmc5.jpg


Obviously, if you use the stiff plate, you'll need to be careful on curved surfaces. The W68DA is soft, so even it it happened to contact a surface accidentally, damage potential would be comparatively low.

But!- for leveling, severe defect removal, for defect or sanding mark removal next to body trim, etc., and final polishing, the discs have delivered much better results for me when they are supported to the outer edge. My best guess would be somewhere in the 30% improved range for cutting potential, and an immeasurable amount for finish polishing.

Good luck!
Click to expand...


:)

Bob
 
Vegas Transplant said:
I don't have an answer to your dilemma but am curios as to why you want it smaller? Thank you.
Click to expand...



To use them with 5.5" pads.





feslope said:
I had a couple of stock plates turned down to 4 7/8" by a local machine shop. Metal cutting tools tend to be very sharp and cut the backing plate cleaner than you would expect. My plates are perfect for 5 1/2" pads.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input, sounds like a good combo.



FUNX725 said:
From this thread:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ere-true-3-da-backing-plate-5.html#post512749

Even though it's about 3" BP....Just thought it might help you in reducing 5.5" to 5" BP.






:)

Bob
Click to expand...



Very informative tread, thanks for pointing out.





Rix6 said:
What about this: FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate

Compared to the 5" plate you want, the pad will further extend a hair under 8mm past the plate, radially, (or a hair over 1/4" if you prefer our measurements :p)
Click to expand...


This is another option that I was considering in finding a good solution for 5.5" pads.

8 mm is something that I can live with ..






.. actually sounds like a very good option.





Thanks all!

:xyxthumbs:
 
Danube said:
This is another option that I was considering in finding a good solution for 5.5" pads.

8 mm is something that I can live with ..
Click to expand...

Total radial overlap of a 5.5" pad on that 4 3/8" plate will be 14mm.
 
Rsurfer said:
Was the OP not talking about a Flex 3401 backing plate?
Click to expand...

Thanks for asking.
Agreed.

The 'hook and loop systems", and 'interchange-abilty' of some BP's may not lend themselves very well to "downsizing machining processes", as so depicted by the article I posted. It was only an example of what others have done to downsize some BP's for the OP to consider.

I personally don't ascribe to altering a BP's structural integrity by attempting to downsize them.
Anymore, the materials sourced to produce many products, including, no doubt, BP's...Have their own built-in fail factors.(Along with misuse/abuse)
I say...Why contribute to their demise?

Also... Before I purchase any machine, I'll do a little research to see if extra tools must be purchased for the operational purposes I have in mind for them. Then I weigh the 'costs'.


:)

Bob
 
Thats how I got my 3 7/8" bp about a year ago. My buddy Tad had it custom machined to that size.
 
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