Porter Cable
- Thread starter Finick
- Start date
oneheadlite
Well-known member
- Aug 20, 2015
- 1,795
- 100
Sweet! Glad to hear it was an inexpensive fix.
Thanks for the update.
Thanks for the update.
Finick
New member
- Jul 31, 2017
- 885
- 0
- Thread starter
- #24
Hey it happens, it was pretty cheap so I kind of half expected something to be up. Even with the repair still well under the cost of a new unit, so I'm glad to have a dedicated 3-4" machine now.
Shucks, I should've asked if you knew how to disassemble them. I looked for videos but I couldn't find anything at all, so I just left well enough alone and let someone more experienced than me handle it lol.
dlc95
Well-known member
- May 18, 2013
- 6,062
- 26
Totally understand!
I might do the same.
I'm having a rough time getting a stator back into a Rupes 21.... I can do some things though.
Finick
New member
- Jul 31, 2017
- 885
- 0
- Thread starter
- #26
It was pretty nice taking it somewhere and not dealing with it, honestly.
Felt kind of bad considering that part was only 4 bucks.. and had I known I could've done it, but the time/frustration I would've dealt with wouldn't have been worth it I guess.
Rupes offers warranty type service don't they?
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 8
I have to wonder if all it really needed was a compression washer?
I believe I've seen the spindle locked up due to a backing plate tightened down to tight against the spindle without the compression washer.
Regardless for you and everyone reading this into the future, no matter if you own a Porter Cable wood sander/polisher or any of the copies of it including,
• Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Polisher
• Meguiar's G110, G110v2 and MT300
• Chemical Guys TORQ 10FX
• Chemical Guys Torq X
• Chicago Electric 6" Polisher (Harbor Freight DA)
• Shurhold Dual Action Polisher
• DAS-6 Pro Dual Action Polisher
• Plus other no name brands that have copied the Porter Cable design
If you have any of the above you need to make sure you have a compression washer between the spindle and the backing plate, otherwise the rivets will bind agains the counterweight and make a horrible noice and also dramatically increase heat at the backing plate causing failure of the velcro on the backing plate an the velcro on your pads
Here's two articles I've written on this topics
The Compression Washer
I wrote an article about Compression Washers explaining how important it is to the function of DA Polishers here,
Don't use your polisher without it!
There were some further follow-up questions about compression washers so here's some more pictures and information to make sure everyone's clear on what the compression washer is, where it goes and why it's important.
The common Compression Washer used with popular DA Polishers is about the size of a U.S. Quarter.
One side of the compression washer is going to seat against the free floating spindle seen in the picture below.
The other side of the compression washer will seat against the small steel attachment plate on the back of a backing plate.
It would look like this without the backing plate in the way...
Normally you would slide the compression washer over the threaded portion of the backing plate and then align this to the spindle on the polisher and tighten together.
Nylon Compression Washer
Here you can see where after tightening the compression washer has an imprint from where it was crushed during tightening.
Fiber Compression Washer
Here you can see where after tightening the compression washer has an imprint from where it was crushed during tightening.
Do's and Don'ts
- Do use a compression washer between the backing plate and the spindle.
- Don't use a steel washer if you lose the compression washer.
Compression washers do wear out with use, that is if you remove and replace backing plates often you're going to wear your compression washer out.
Autogeek carries replacements...
Lake Country Compression Washers 5-Pack
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 8
Here's the other one,
Great question!
I actually included that in this article but now it's in this article too...
The Purpose of the Compression Washer
The compression washer performs multiple functions,
Crushable Interface
The compression washer provides a crushable or malleable interface between two pieces of metal that are going to see a lot of pressure from being tightened together with a wrench and my guess is a lot of punishment from the operator. I punish all my tools... so it's not a reach to think others are going to punish their's too. Add to the above mix, the violent oscillating action of the tool on the highest speed setting and add to that t-i-m-e...
By time, I mean putting your polisher to work buffing out a car section-by-section, panel-after-panel. As Pros know and anyone that wants to get the job in a decent amount of time, when you start buffing out a car you have to keep the tool running and buffing on paint. There's no breaks. That's time of endured punishment.
Point being is you want and need the crushable interface between two pieces of metal on an electric tool capable of running at high OPM's.
Spacer
They also act as an actual spacer between the arbor or stud seat where there are the raised heads of a type of rivet or brad that anchors the arbor base to the the backing plate and the threaded portion of the Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly.
Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly
Here you can see a compression washer seated at the base or seat of the 5/16" arbor or stud where it's attached into the backing plate surrounded by the raised heads of the rivets or attachment anchors.
So keep track of both the compression washer and the rubber nut and don't use your DA Polisher, be it a Porter Cable, Meguiar's or Griot's without it.
:xyxthumbs:
Great question!
I actually included that in this article but now it's in this article too...
The Purpose of the Compression Washer
The compression washer performs multiple functions,
Crushable Interface
The compression washer provides a crushable or malleable interface between two pieces of metal that are going to see a lot of pressure from being tightened together with a wrench and my guess is a lot of punishment from the operator. I punish all my tools... so it's not a reach to think others are going to punish their's too. Add to the above mix, the violent oscillating action of the tool on the highest speed setting and add to that t-i-m-e...
By time, I mean putting your polisher to work buffing out a car section-by-section, panel-after-panel. As Pros know and anyone that wants to get the job in a decent amount of time, when you start buffing out a car you have to keep the tool running and buffing on paint. There's no breaks. That's time of endured punishment.
Point being is you want and need the crushable interface between two pieces of metal on an electric tool capable of running at high OPM's.
Spacer
They also act as an actual spacer between the arbor or stud seat where there are the raised heads of a type of rivet or brad that anchors the arbor base to the the backing plate and the threaded portion of the Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly.
Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly
Here you can see a compression washer seated at the base or seat of the 5/16" arbor or stud where it's attached into the backing plate surrounded by the raised heads of the rivets or attachment anchors.
So keep track of both the compression washer and the rubber nut and don't use your DA Polisher, be it a Porter Cable, Meguiar's or Griot's without it.
:xyxthumbs:
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 8
Here's another one,
Don't use your polisher without it!
That is... the Compression Washer
If you don't use a compression washer, the rivets on the backing plate attachment base will come into contact with the counterweight assembly on your DA Polisher.
Damage caused by not using the Compression Washer
Damaged and Gouged Metal
The rivets have gouged the metal because the compression washer was left off. Not only does it gouge the metal it will usually make a horrible noise and that should be your first clue to turn the polisher off and inspect for issues.
Treat the compression washer like GOLD. Don't lose it.
Keep the little rubber nut to lock it into place when not using that backing plate. It's probably more likely you'll own more backing plates into the future than less likely.
The Rubber Nut - Keeps the Compression Washer from getting lost and protects the threads when the backing plate is not in use.
I have scads of backing plates in drawer in the studio and it's nice reaching for a backing plate and having the spacer washer intact with the backing plate.
The Purpose of the Compression Washer
The compression washer performs multiple functions,
Crushable Interface
The compression washer provides a crushable or malleable interface between two pieces of metal that are going to see a lot of pressure from being tightened together with a wrench and my guess is a lot of punishment from the operator. I punish all my tools... so it's not a reach to think others are going to punish their's too. Add to the above mix, the violent oscillating action of the tool on the highest speed setting and add to that t-i-m-e...
By time, I mean putting your polisher to work buffing out a car section-by-section, panel-after-panel. As Pros know and anyone that wants to get the job in a decent amount of time, when you start buffing out a car you have to keep the tool running and buffing on paint. There's no breaks. That's time of endured punishment.
Point being is you want and need the crushable interface between two pieces of metal on an electric tool capable of running at high OPM's.
Spacer
They also act as an actual spacer between the arbor or stud seat where there are the raised heads of a type of rivet or brad that anchors the arbor base to the the backing plate and the threaded portion of the Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly.
Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly
Here you can see a compression washer seated at the base or seat of the 5/16" arbor or stud where it's attached into the backing plate surrounded by the raised heads of the rivets or attachment anchors.
So keep track of both the compression washer and the rubber nut and don't use your DA Polisher, be it a Porter Cable, Meguiar's or Griot's without it.
Compression washers do wear out with use, that is if you remove and replace backing plates often you're going to wear your compression washer out.
Autogeek carries replacements...
Lake Country Compression Washers 5-Pack
:xyxthumbs:
Don't use your polisher without it!
That is... the Compression Washer
If you don't use a compression washer, the rivets on the backing plate attachment base will come into contact with the counterweight assembly on your DA Polisher.
Damage caused by not using the Compression Washer
Damaged and Gouged Metal
The rivets have gouged the metal because the compression washer was left off. Not only does it gouge the metal it will usually make a horrible noise and that should be your first clue to turn the polisher off and inspect for issues.
Treat the compression washer like GOLD. Don't lose it.
Keep the little rubber nut to lock it into place when not using that backing plate. It's probably more likely you'll own more backing plates into the future than less likely.
The Rubber Nut - Keeps the Compression Washer from getting lost and protects the threads when the backing plate is not in use.
I have scads of backing plates in drawer in the studio and it's nice reaching for a backing plate and having the spacer washer intact with the backing plate.
The Purpose of the Compression Washer
The compression washer performs multiple functions,
Crushable Interface
The compression washer provides a crushable or malleable interface between two pieces of metal that are going to see a lot of pressure from being tightened together with a wrench and my guess is a lot of punishment from the operator. I punish all my tools... so it's not a reach to think others are going to punish their's too. Add to the above mix, the violent oscillating action of the tool on the highest speed setting and add to that t-i-m-e...
By time, I mean putting your polisher to work buffing out a car section-by-section, panel-after-panel. As Pros know and anyone that wants to get the job in a decent amount of time, when you start buffing out a car you have to keep the tool running and buffing on paint. There's no breaks. That's time of endured punishment.
Point being is you want and need the crushable interface between two pieces of metal on an electric tool capable of running at high OPM's.
Spacer
They also act as an actual spacer between the arbor or stud seat where there are the raised heads of a type of rivet or brad that anchors the arbor base to the the backing plate and the threaded portion of the Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly.
Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly
Here you can see a compression washer seated at the base or seat of the 5/16" arbor or stud where it's attached into the backing plate surrounded by the raised heads of the rivets or attachment anchors.
So keep track of both the compression washer and the rubber nut and don't use your DA Polisher, be it a Porter Cable, Meguiar's or Griot's without it.
Compression washers do wear out with use, that is if you remove and replace backing plates often you're going to wear your compression washer out.
Autogeek carries replacements...
Lake Country Compression Washers 5-Pack
:xyxthumbs:
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 8
Here's one on the rubber nut
Tip: Rubber Nut to protect threads and safeguard compression washer
When you purchase a backing plate for your DA Polisher it comes with a Compression Washer held in place with a Rubber Nut.
Here's a tip, when using your backing plate keep the rubber nut in a safe place for use later.
The Rubber Nut does two things,
Backing Plates on Autogeek.net
Lake Country 5" DA Backing Plate
Lake Country 3" DA Backing Plate
Lake Country 3.5 " DA Backing Plate
Lake Country 6" DA Backing Plate
Meguiars W67DA G110 DA Polisher 5 inch Backing Plate
The Black Dual Action 5 Inch HD Backing Plate
Dual Action 6 Inch HD Backing Plate
Meguiars W68DA Dual Action Backing Plate
3M Hook-It 5 Inch Dual Action Backing Plate - 5775
3M Hook-It 6 Inch Dual Action Backing Plate - 5776
Related articles...
The Compression Washer
Don't use your polisher without it!
5 inch Backing Plates on Meguiar's, Griot's and Porter Cable DA Polishers
:xyxthumbs:
Tip: Rubber Nut to protect threads and safeguard compression washer
When you purchase a backing plate for your DA Polisher it comes with a Compression Washer held in place with a Rubber Nut.
Here's a tip, when using your backing plate keep the rubber nut in a safe place for use later.
The Rubber Nut does two things,
- Protects the threads on the backing plate when the backing plate is not in use.
- Holds the Compression Washer in place so it does not get lost when the backing plate is not in use.
Backing Plates on Autogeek.net
Lake Country 5" DA Backing Plate
Lake Country 3" DA Backing Plate
Lake Country 3.5 " DA Backing Plate
Lake Country 6" DA Backing Plate
Meguiars W67DA G110 DA Polisher 5 inch Backing Plate
The Black Dual Action 5 Inch HD Backing Plate
Dual Action 6 Inch HD Backing Plate
Meguiars W68DA Dual Action Backing Plate
3M Hook-It 5 Inch Dual Action Backing Plate - 5775
3M Hook-It 6 Inch Dual Action Backing Plate - 5776
Related articles...
The Compression Washer
Don't use your polisher without it!
5 inch Backing Plates on Meguiar's, Griot's and Porter Cable DA Polishers
:xyxthumbs:
dlc95
Well-known member
- May 18, 2013
- 6,062
- 26
They do, but mine was so bad, it was going to cost $250.00 to fix it. The labor was pretty expensive, so I elected to do it myself. In the process I broke one of the new parts too... I may have bitten off more than I can chew with that thing.