farm pick up trucks

hot rod

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I am thinking of getting a PC. I have been seaching and reading about it. Makes me nervous I don't know much about power buffers. I have seen the outcome of some jobs gone bad and it is scarry.



Again I know this is getting old but can someone point me to or list a complete set of pads needed to maintain my cars?



Again thanks for putting up with a Newbie
 
do a search for porter cable - there are tons of threads relating to the use of the PC. A couple years ago, when I first got mine, I volunteered to wax a friends car (several year old Taurus - not well maintained) just to have the chance to practice. It wasn't needed, the PC is pretty easy to use, but it increased my confidence.
 
Its not the fastest , or the most expensive car I have owned, but it is, by far the most fun. It's hard not to have a big stupid grin on your face when you are driving it.
 
4mo, note that there are differences between direct-drive rotary buffers and random-orbit buffers.



The Porter Cable 7424 that everyone here refers to is a random orbit buffer. Basically, you can't do a lot of damage to your surface with this tool. The buffer moves in random circles...not just one spot.



The DeWalt DW849, however, is a rotary. Rotaries spin in one spot only... this is probably what you've heard about and have seen horror stories about. Holding a rotary in one spot can certainly do a lot of damage quickly from the heat it generates in the spot.



With the PC7424...there's not much to be afraid of. Rotaries however, practice on the in-laws' car first. ;)



Huy
 
Anyone know where to get the best price on one? I am looking for one in the $130 range if I can find one. I would really love to polish the hell out of my car and blind everyone driving by. Bwhahahahah! Not to mention just being able to get those swirl marks off without needing physical theropy after. :D
 
What is a counterweight? What is it's purpose? Do you need it if you buy a pc? I'm re-examining my options, and may buy one. One of the big Canadian chains is selling them for $50 off if you buy before the end of the year.



Thanks guys.
 
Go to the coastaltools.com site and look up the PC 7424. They do an excellent job describing all the options available, including the counter weights.
 
Bill - the counterweight gives the orbital its random movement. The size of the weight usually corresponds to the size of the backing pad being used. Don't think twice about getting the PC -- its a gem.



Steve
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Jngrbrdman [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Anyone know where to get the best price on one? I am looking for one in the $130 range if I can find one. I would really love to polish the hell out of my car and blind everyone driving by. Bwhahahahah! Not to mention just being able to get those swirl marks off without needing physical theropy after. :D [/b]</blockquote>
I have one brand new still in the box, never been used, $ 80.00.
MPYeatman@aol.com.
 
I just got my PC and I'm wondering if it is working correctly. Should you be able to stop the rotation of a PC while it is operating at level 3 with your hand? If it isn't touching anything it spins in a circle but when it is applying wax it stops spinning but continues to vibrate in an orbital way. At first I just thought that it was an optical illusion until I stopped it with my hand.
 
Shortcut - That is exactly how it is supposed to operate. The pad's primary motion is in a tiny oval. It doesn't really need to rotate at all. However it will spin when there is no load. Place a large clack or white dot on the back of a pad so you can see it while it is on the car and you'll see it doesn't spin. I have found that at the highest speed it will spin slowly, which can be useful for working material onto a surface that the entire pad can't cover like the top of a door.



Also, beware - at higher speeds when you lift it from the car it will begin to spin FAST - this can tear the velcro off the back of a pad. You also should put it onto the car before you start it to prevent it from spinning and throwing material off.
 
Thanks for easing my concern. I just wanted to be sure that I didn't get a broken one. :( The thing that made me think it was working right was the stunning finish on my car after using SMR with the PC followed by PC applied 3M Liquid Show Car Wax.

I'll bet I'm not the only one around here who will go out to the garage and turn on the lights to see the car just one more time before going to sleep tonight. :cool:
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

I'll bet I'm not the only one around here who will go out to the garage and turn on the lights to see the car just one more time before going to sleep tonight.</blockquote>

Yeah....but do you say "Goodnight, and sleep tight" and blow her a kiss??? :D

H
 
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