DA Microfiber system, 5" or 6" pads when used with PC 7424?

[gbackus]

Which size pads are optimal when using the less powerful(or rather less advanced when compared to the g110) porter cable 7424?

My gut instinct says to go with the 5" system, but if the 6" works, and it covers more area, the amount of work time could be cut down a fair amount.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: DA Microfiber system, 5" or 6" pads when used with PC 7424?

For any DA buffer, whether our G110v2, it's predecessors or any of the similar tools on the market, stick with the 5" discs on a W67DA backing plate. This is what the whole system was "tuned" for. On the G110v2 you'll be using speed 4 (4800 opm) for the compound step and speed 3 (3800 opm) for the finishing wax. On the G100/PC 7424 you'd bump each speed setting up a notch to get the same OPM output.

The 6" discs are for tools like the Flex 3401, pneumatic DA sanders, other fixed backing plate larger format tools. There are some trade offs with some of these - the forced rotation of the Flex tends to create more haze, the pneumatic DAs don't have enough torque to allow for sufficient downward pressure during the compounding step (usually) and other larger format DA tools will be slightly compromised in overall cutting ability due to the larger disc size. Not a lot, but some.

Now, the 6" discs can be great on a G110v2 et al when dealing with more sensitive paints. You'll still lose some cut, but you'll lose some hazing too, which those paints are prone to anyway.

[gbackus]

Re: DA Microfiber system, 5" or 6" pads when used with PC 7424?

Thanks Mike!