Centering Pads??

[AlphaOmega]

Back in 2004, I picked up a Chicago Electric multi speed (1000 - 3000 rpm) rotary buffer. It has performed well over the years and the price was right. But I've been a little concerned over one characteristic of this machine. Each time I buy new pads, they come with "centering tools". Any of you who have bought pads must know what I'm talking about. Well, the backing plate on my machine has no center hole for me to place the centering tool in. So I always wind up having to eyeball the pad onto the plate. I pull the trigger and ensure that the pad isn't wobbling too much, but I can't help wondering if I might not be getting sub-standard results due to "micro-wobbling" (thought that one up all by myself) of the pad. Unlike back in 2004, I can actually afford AND justify buying something like a Dewalt rotary if need be. But the Chicago Electric is still working fine. So can anyone tell me how much a pefectly centered pad matters?

 

[jaybs02]

It's always best to have them centered. The wobble will slowly put a strain n the shaft, I'm sure that it will also have an effect on your results.

What make and size pads are you using? On the LC 7.5" pads there is a hole in the center so you can see the middle of your BP it is also indented so where the BP should sit, but on the 6.5 there isn't so on the smaller pads I have marked on the velcro where the edges of the BP should meet with.

 

[Troy@Protekt]

If your using pads with centering holes then you might want to just change your backing plate. I just eye ball my centering and it does just fine for me.

I never really get my buffer over 1500rpm so there isn't gonna be much strain on the shaft even un-centered a little bit. As for performance, not being perfectly centered shouldn't effect your results.