Porter Cable 7428

[Tom Weed]

Hi all,
I had a question I was curious about. Back this winter, I decided I wanted to complete my detailing arsenal and buy a rotary to go along with my PC 7424. I bought a new PC 7428 from someone on ebay for about 120 bucks. I have used it probably three times so far with good results (yes, I bought the Meguiars detailing video first).

My question is, I hear alot the Makita and the DeWalt, but I haven't seen any discusssion about the Porter cable. Is this an okay Variable speed polisher to use? It is pretty heavy compared to my 7424.
Just curious if anyone else has used one of these and what the comparisons are or why no one else has mentioned one.

Thanks a bunch,
Tom

[the other pc]

Personally, I think the 7428's low visibility in the detailing world stems from Porter-Cable's marketing focus. They don't really put much energy into the automotive paint & body equipment market. Walk into most any paint shop and you'll see Makitas and/or DeWalts hanging on the wall.

The 7424 is certainly popular with detailers but I believe that comes from Meg's adopting it as their own in the form of the G-100 and the subsequent embracing by detailing specific vendors.

It's a pity because the 7428 is a really nice tool. The few that I've heard of who do use it love it.

Here's an online magazine article reviewing it. (http://www.roadfly.org/magazine/8/porter_cable.1.html)

I'm trying to convince myself I need one (as "big brother" to my Metabo :D ).


PC.

[Tom Weed]

Thanks for the response...

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Tom Weed
My question is, I hear alot the Makita and the DeWalt, but I haven't seen any discussion about the Porter cable. Is this an okay Variable speed polisher to use? It is pretty heavy compared to my 7424.

Just curious if anyone else has used one of these and what the comparisons are or why no one else has mentioned one.

Thanks a bunch,
Tom

Hi Tom,

I have never used the Porter Cable rotary buffer myself, but the brand name definitely has a good reputation for quality tools. That said, when it come to choosing a rotary buffer, they all pretty much work the same, the are a direct drive buffer. The pad will spin in a rotating fashion in one direction. What's important is to get a variable speed model and if possible, a lightweight model also if you plan on doing a lot of work with it. In the old days, many of the rotary buffers were pretty heavy and this will tend to tire your arms when working on vertical panels.

Makita, Porter Cable, DeWalt, these companies all have great reputations. Harbor Freight sells a very inexpensive model for around $30.00 or $40.00 One of our forum members and a profession, full time detailer says he's been quite happy with his so much so he purchased a second one.

I have not ever used this model, so I can't speak for it's quality. There is an old say, "You get what you pay for", so you might want to research your options and then decide what's best for you.

Mike

[Tom Weed]

Thanks Mike,

I just thought it was a little odd I guess that I after I bought it, and it was a good deal cheaper than what a new one would of run me, that no one had mentioned it.

I just looked up the specs it's 8 lbs, with a 10 Amp motor. First time I used it with a W7006 cutting pad on a side panel, I got tired pretty quicky, almost like I had to fight it, and I know a lot of that is me just learning with it. But it brought out the sweat!

It did seem to become much easier to handle once I switched to a W8006 polishing pad. It also really makes me appreciate how easy the PC 7424 is to use and how light it is.

Thanks again Mike and PC,

Tom