PorterCable Counterweights and Backing Plates

[proman3998]

I cannot seem to get a straight answer on the subject of PorterCable counterweights and backing plates, and I was wondering if anyone here knew the definitive answer on my question. What I am wondering is that on my PorterCable 7336 I have a counterweight that says use six inch pads only. I am wondering with my 5inch backing plate am I ruining my PorterCable, do I need a 6inch backing plate? What are my limitations in terms of going up or down in backingplates/pad sizes with this counterweight, and if there are limitations how can I go up or down in backing plates/pads with my PorterCable?



Sorry for such a long winded question but I cant seem to get a straight answer anywhere else.



Thanks a lot.

 

[BobD]

I never swap out weights. I've been using the 6" pad since day one.

 

[Accumulator]

I never swap out weights..

Same here, I use the 6" counterweight with every size of backing plate and pad. Have for years.



I've posted a million times about how the original PC match-up is based on a factory PC backing plate with a single sheet of sandpaper stuck to it. When they first started building the 7336, they weren't expecting people to stick foam pads on it and use it to polish cars.



Aftermarket backing plates (some of which are mighty heavy) and foam pads (let alone pads wet with product) are a whole different situation. Perhaps Kevin Brown will sometime explain just how the whole counterweight/centripetal force thing works out, but the short answer IMO is to just use the 6" counterweight for everything.