Counterweights

[CHzo6]

Just a quick one...
I have the PC 7424, is the counterweight that comes with it good enough or should I pick up the 6" weight for use with Meguiars pads??
Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

Hi CHzo6,

All I have ever used is the 5 ounce weight that comes with the Porter Cable Meguiar's sells and the ones that are sold at local tool supply stores. I have read numerous times that the 6 ounce weight decrease vibrations and thus wear and tear on the tool and less fatigue to the user.

In the interest of finding out for myself, I'll order the larger counterweight and give it a spin.... (no pun intended )

Mike

[CHzo6]

Would the decrease in vibrations make the PC less effective?

[TOGWT]

Porter-Cable ROB Counterweights

te:

~One man’s opinion / observations ~

Counterweights:

Is a half-moon shaped piece of metal attached to the rotating shaft of the tool, this smoothes out the random orbit action by providing a counter balance to the elliptical orbit of the rotating backing pad. If you change the pad size you must also change the counterweight or suffer unnecessary vibration and possible damage to the tool. Counterweights are attached with two Torx fasteners; size T15.

There are two different counter-weights, which are clearly marked to indicate use with either the 5-inch, or
6-inch backing pad. Therefore with a 6-inch backing pad for polishing you should use the 6-inch, 0.140 oz. counterweight PN 699933. The vibrations that are generated at higher speeds when using a 5-inch weight and a 6-inch pad are unacceptable for most people. For the 5-inch backing pad (or smaller) for polishing you should use the 5-inch, 0.120 oz PN 874011 counterweight.

A Porter-Cable company representative confirms that the increased vibrations can lead to bearing damage within the PC's drive assembly. My advice, use the right counterweight.

The only exception is when using the 6-inch foam-polishing pad PN 54745 supplied with the machine. Due to its lightweight and the small-diameter backing pad used (included with pad), it can be used with either the 5-inch pad or 6-inch pad counterweight.

~Hope this helps~

Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/ Jon
justadumbarchitect * so I question everything *