Polisher Vibrations

[sean]

Today I used the da polisher for the first time. Although I'm extremely happy with my purchase, I have one thing to gripe about. While I used it, the vibrations would start to get really severe and after I turned it off, my hands and arms would be burning. I was using it at the 5 setting. I tried to find more info and read that there's a break in period where afterwards the vibrations wont be as bad. Anyone have similar experiences?

[soonercivic]

What model of DA do you have? There will always be vibrations, you cant avoid that. I havent had any control problems or any pain in my arms and hands because of my DA. Maybe it would help if you took a few breaks inbetween and maybe wore some gloves. Make sure the gloves are clean though!

[Buellwinkle]

That could be your incentive for learning to use a rotary buffer. No huge vibrations and polish your car in half the time.

[Tim Lingor]

Hi Sean,

The vibrations from the DA Polisher are quite normal. The polisher's action creates these vibrations. So while the machine's counter-weight helps, there is still a fair amount of vibration as the speed increases.


Tim

[rusty bumper]

The other day, I noticed my hands starting to tingle a little bit after using my PC, but I had no more problems after the 1st or 2nd time with it.

I've never had too much of a problem with vibrations for the most part though.

[Mike Phillips]

Just to keep things in perspective...

If you do all the work by hand that the dual action polisher is doing for you with it's motor, then you will still be feeling something in your hands and arms after you're finished.

[SpoiledMan]

ahemm, cough, Cyclo, cough cough

[joenj1]

I use the G100 (aka Porter Cable 7424) that came with a foam pad and counterweight.

When I ordered the hook-and-loop pad commonly used with the DA polishers, it shipped with a different counterweight, which I was advised to install. BIG difference in vibration reduction.

That said, I agree with the others that you are going to get a "buzz" if you run any DA polisher at high speed.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by joenj1
I use the G100 (aka Porter Cable 7424) that came with a foam pad and counterweight.

When I ordered the hook-and-loop pad commonly used with the DA polishers, it shipped with a different counterweight, which I was advised to install. BIG difference in vibration reduction.

Meguiars has a counterweight that you install?

[joenj1]

Don't know about Meguiars backing plates, but Porter Cable provides them:

http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/port/skinny.htm?L+coastest+pyzg2165ff0bb50b+1124439919

[sean]

Thanks for the replies. I've used a lot of woodworking tools which all vibrate but I was surprised by how much more the g100 vibrates, especially for the application being used for. By the way, that counterweight link says it wont make a difference when used with polishing pads. " The only exception is when using the 54745 6" Foam Polishing Pad. Due to its light weight and the small-diameter backing pad used (included with pad), it should be used with the 5" pad counterweight. Porter-Cable outfits the 7424 6" Car Polisher with the 5" pad counterweight." joenj1, did you notice a difference?

[BJClarke001]

Sorry folks. Don't want to beat a dead horse here.

So let me understand this Counter Weight issue both with the Meg's DA and the PC 7424.

1) Meg's DA: Comes with or without the weight for the 6.5" Pads?

2) PC 7424: Comes with or without the weight for the 6.5" Pads?

3) Is the weight really needed for the 6.5" Pads?

I am asking because I just sent my wife the link for the Web Site for Meg's DA to order for my Birthday next month. I want to hit the ground running and don't want to be not in the know

[Mike Phillips]

From this thread in the Hot Topics forum,

The Dual Action Counterweight "Controversy"

Originally posted by Jimmy Buffit
I have one DA in our shop that is a few years old. It was supplied with a 6" counterweight to replace the standard 5".

The theory being that the 6" lessens vibration when using 6" pads.

So I just acquired a second, with supplied 5" counter weight.



No perceptible difference. None Zilch, Nada.

End of 'controversy', at least in my shop.

Jim

[joenj1]

OK, let me clarify my post a bit.

When I got the PC 7424, I first used it with the supplied foam polishing pad and the original counterweight.

When ordering the Hook and Loop pads, I checked some of the forums and people said the counterweight supplied with the pads should be installed to avoid excessive vibration.

So, I got the pads and installed the counterweight. I have not gone back to the original PC pad and counterweight.

I think I will try an experiment next time I pull my DA out and switch counterweights. If it makes a BIG difference, I'll let everyone know. However, I think the vibrations of the DA are a normal result of its motion. I notice very little vibration all the way up to the "5" setting. At "6" the little sucker does shake, but I don't normally use it at that speed.

OK, I think I've beaten that horse to death!

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by BJClarke001
1) Meg's DA: Comes with or without the weight for the 6.5" Pads?

It comes with the 5" weight.

IMO the 5" weight should have less throw than the 6" weight, so I guess that's why Meguiars has it installed.......I mean, a larger weight should (In theory) have greater vibrations than a smaller one, unless it's countered by a heavier pad.

We used to deal with this type of thing on my former job, but it was on a much larger scale.

Just thinking out loud.