PC 7424 dead, what is a good replacement?

marvinsdad

marvinsdad

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I bought a PC 7424XP kit from Autogeek quite a few years ago...in 2007.
I use it to buff out my car really well once a year and the occasional detail on the wife's and some touch up throughout the year. It wasn't heavily utilized.

I noticed the last few times I used it that it would get hot and smoke...I would let it cool down for a while and continue to use it.
It finally died a couple weeks ago so I took it to a Porter Cable authorized repair shop. They kept it for the past couple weeks siting they were waiting for a part. When I went to pick it up they said it was un-repairable...because there are no parts available.
It feels as if the motor is locked up. When plugged in, you get a hum, but no turning no matter what speed setting you have it on. Manually turning the shaft does nothing as well when turned on.

Two Questions:

1 - Is the PC 7424xp from 2007 indeed un-repairable?
2 - What would be a good replacement...unsure if I want to go back to a model that died, unless they have made some major changes to it.
I read a few threads when trying to diagnose the smoking that there were a couple models that people were suggesting...one had a lifetime warranty (that sounds good about now).

Thanks for reading, appreciate any suggestions or help.
Antoine
 
I'll take a shot at this.

I assume that it is indeed repairable, that every part for this Machine can be bought online.

The big question is, at what cost? I'll guess and say the main Motor is probably the most expensive part of all
 
Just to comment...

The XP version was introduced in 2009.

So if you purchased your Porter Cable in 2007 it would have been either the 7424 or the 7336.

The XP is the upgraded version of these earlier two models.

I'd recommend getting either the newer version, the Porter Cable 7424XP or the Griot's Garage 6" DA Polisher which is the Griot's version of the PC.


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Just to comment...

The XP version was introduced in 2009.

So if you purchased your Porter Cable in 2007 it would have been either the 7424 or the 7336.

The XP is the upgraded version of these earlier two models.

I'd recommend getting either the newer version, the Porter Cable 7424XP or the Griot's Garage 6" DA Polisher which is the Griot's version of the PC.


:)
Click to expand...

You got me, I was trying to get the "porter cable 7424 hd-plus" - I think basically it had a different counter balance and maybe a longer cord. But apparently I ended up getting the vanilla PC 7424. (now that I have looked back at old emails). Sorry for the confusion.
 
I haven't used a Porter cable with a 5 inch plate in a pretty long time.

I used it with my cousin teaching him, and I couldn't believe they night and day difference between the griots 6 inch and then pc7424xp

Saying the griots has more power is a under statement, seriously speed 3 on the griots is like speed 5 on the Porter cable .

On the PC speed 1-3 Is virtually identical, you even have to spread wax on speed 4 for it to properly rotate.

4-6 on the PC to fix paint.

If your not looking for a major upgrade I would go with the griots 6 inch.

I forgot how beastly that tool really is
 
Joe@NextLevelDetail said:
I haven't used a Porter cable with a 5 inch plate in a pretty long time.

I used it with my cousin teaching him, and I couldn't believe they night and day difference between the griots 6 inch and then pc7424xp

Saying the griots has more power is a under statement, seriously speed 3 on the griots is like speed 5 on the Porter cable .

On the PC speed 1-3 Is virtually identical, you even have to spread wax on speed 4 for it to properly rotate.

4-6 on the PC to fix paint.

If your not looking for a major upgrade I would go with the griots 6 inch.

I forgot how beastly that tool really is
Click to expand...

Thanks
 
Based on your experience and apprehension about possibly buying the same problem, i would get the Griots machine. Lifetime warranty as well.
 
Another vote for the GG 6". Lifetime warranty. Work great with a 5" BP. More power too!
 
What about a Rupes off ebay? They have some new, and used ones. If you look long enough, you can get a great deal. I scored a new LHR15 mark II for $315.
 
Sounds like a Griot's 6" is in my near future.
Was going to ask about the 5" plate /5.5" pads. I just purchased a new set of pads since I read that 6.5" pads on a 5" plate was hard on the polisher, even though my 7424 came with the 5" plate and 6.5" pads.

PhxDarius - I searched for a Rupes user on Ebay and it pulled up nothing to sell.
 
Look no further that AutoGeek for your GG6 purchase....they sell some very nice kits that will save you some money
 
Backplate I'm going for again the griots garage 5 inch vented backing plate, the thing is I think IMO the best plate for a PC style da , it has cooling vents to put less stress on the pads and is low profile in design to transfer the machines power to the paint, griots 6 inch with that plate = killer combo
 
marvinsdad said:
Sounds like a Griot's 6" is in my near future.
Was going to ask about the 5" plate /5.5" pads. I just purchased a new set of pads since I read that 6.5" pads on a 5" plate was hard on the polisher, even though my 7424 came with the 5" plate and 6.5" pads.

PhxDarius - I searched for a Rupes user on Ebay and it pulled up nothing to sell.
Click to expand...

I don't know why you didn't find any on ebay, there are some for sale...

Rupes 15 mm Bigfoot Random Orbital Polisher 5 Inch LHCheck | eBay out Rupes 15 mm Bigfoot Random Orbital Polisher 5 Inch LHR15ES #RupesR15ES-/151534935613?roken=cUgayN&soutkn=byn9B1 via @eBay
 
Thanks for clearing that up...I finally figured out what a "Rupes" was, but couldn't figure out how to edit my post.
 
I'll throw another option out there.

The Rupes Duetto.

It gets you into the latest large throw technology, while retaining the familiar feel of a traditional orbital, like the PC 7424/7424xp. Very smooth, and very efficient at correcting, polishing, and sealing paint. It also works as a sander, but I haven't tried sanding with it yet.

The only potential drawback is the inability to swap out for a smaller backing plate....

Just a thought!
 
Agree the PC is probably toast. But, if you're like me and have to know why, Take it apart and inspect the brushes. After that, pull the armature and take a points file and get all the spent brush debris from between the copper. Bet it spins again. ;)
 
The Rupes look good, but twice as much as I am willing to spend right now.
I thought I was going to get mine repaired around $70...and ended up spending $150 to order the Griot's.

Paul - an autopsy will be coming...once I figure out how to remove the handle, just spins and spins??? Can't make it any worse, right?! LOL

Thanks for all the advice, will come back to this thread as I am fine tuning for the hints for pads (once these new ones start to wear out).

antoine
 
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