The Definitive Porter Cable Accessorizing Thread

I think either this week or next I will head to Lowes and get there kit. Funny thing I work for Home Depot part time, and they were not interested in even special ordering it for me! I think I am the only one willing to special order things for custumers there, but I work in plumbing so I do not have the info to order it for myself. We do not get a discount any way :rolleyes:



Great post, now very clear and much improved! It was good before, now great. Still not sure where I will get the pads, most likly go with Meg's because I can get them locally.
 
Thanks David! :)



Just a minor update adding some links to places where you can actually see pictures of all those accessories PC sells for this machine, as well as mention of PC's 6" lamb's wool pad (which I didn't know they had).



I also fixed the link to Coastal Tool's Accessory page, which stopped working (for me anyway).
 
You know what? I just re-read some of my first post and realized that I didn't really mention something: That I didn't actually own a PC at the time I wrote it! :o

Well, after much fanangling that's all fixed now! :bounce



Needless to say, I'm thrilled and spent a long time just holding it and looking at my new prized posession. I should have a vibration/balance test done someday soon, but not with a 5" Megs pad though. I just wish it didn't take so long to get a hold of it because now it's so cold!





Minor thread update:

-added measured dimensions (except weight)

-added eccentric offset of the PC, which used to be unknown in case anyone was wondering. I did this by turning the spindle and measuring the center-to-center distance it covered and divided that in half.

-verified all links
 
Beautifull threat & updates.



Naturaly I like to compare with my BO6040 and find it much alike.



One question: do you know how much RPM the PC-pad rotates at full speed?





Christiaan
 
cvcaelen said:
One question: do you know how much RPM the PC-pad rotates at full speed?



Christiaan
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Unfortunately no. Specs on the machine are rather thin. Many sanders tell you the eccentric offset, but I had to measure this to satisfy my curiousity. :p



I don't think it's actually designed to spin anyway. The pad seems to freewheel and any rotation seems to be simply a byproduct of the orbital "jiggling". The faster it orbits, the more it rotates, and it also seems to depend on how much pressure you put on it.





On another note, the manual says NOT to lean on the machine when you use it, which runs counter to a lot of PC polishing advice/techniques given at Autopia which usually involve bearing down on the machine.



One thing I also forgot to mention is the fact that my PC also came with the larger T20 sized counterweight screws, not T15. Since my PC is probably quite newly produced, I wonder if this is a minor production change.
 
Just a small update to reflect the findings in my PC Vibration Test thread http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16530



It just reflects some confirmation I got about how a 6"/6" combo balances compared to other combos, and nothing has changed as far as what PC to buy. It just means that both 6" and 5" pads are okay to use.



I also re-wrote the small paragraph talking about pads being bigger than the backing pad and about their weight. It still doesn't mean a whole lot though. :p



In the future I will probably just do maintenance on links without posting an update, as this may be the last content change I make on the post in a while.
 
geekysteve said:
Here's a "HOW-TO" guide to the PC, written at the request of many Roadfly members. I borrowed some of your info, hope you don't mind.



PC How-To (Basic)
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I don't mind at all - my info is free for all to use. :)



That is an awesomely complete and detailed article you wrote Steve! Illustrated and everything - it even goes into the details of various products and pads. :bow



I'm going to save that one and read it over more thoroughly later. :xyxthumbs
 
Awesome post geekysteve



I shoulda read your "how to" today before attempting to use my PC for the first time. Your primer would have saved me some major headaches. Now I know for the next time.:xyxthumbs :bow
 
I was just about to purchase the PC 7424, now I see the 7336 will work just as well. That gives me two advantages, (1) saves me about $30 (Shipping costs included) and (2) I don't have wait to order online; I can drive right down to the local Lowe's and pick it up for $110. (They didn't carry the 7424 model). Thanks for the threads geekysteve and 4DSC! :xyxthumbs
 
I did an update today to verify the links and make some cosmetic touchups to improve readability. I also noted the apparent link between the part numbers for CMA pads and Lake Country Mfg pads so people can find out their exact design if they want.



No content has been changed in any meaningful way.



Links to Geekysteve's PC usage guide and Alboston's swirl removal article were added to the end of the thread, and, at the suggestion of another member :up , I wrote a small paragraph describing what that darned mysterious black washer is for! :p
 
I'd never even heard of the black washer. My PC didn't come with one. Hmmm...but what you say is probably correct Brian. There is a bit of a clearance problem, unless you angle the wrench like I do, so it probably is what that thing is for.
 
4DSC said:
Two of the most popular PC kits and backing pads (or backup plates ) are the ones from Meguiar's and CMA. While it has been recommended in the past to match the counterweight to the diameter of the backing pad, recent posts (deleted by the server outage) have shown users to be happier with using the heavier 6" counterweight with the 5" Meguiar's backing pad. They report less vibration and smoother running at higher speed settings with this combination than when they were using the 5" counterweight. This seems to be the smoothest running combination (5" pad with 6" weight) especially at higher speed settings. A combination of a 6" pad (such as the CMA pad) with 6" weight also performs very well and is preferable to using the 5" weight. I spent some time testing some various combinations of weights and backing pads in this thread: PC Vibration Test which reinforces what a small number of users have told me about the 6" weight/pad combo. The current recommendation for buying a PC is to simply buy a 7336 series model or buy the PC 7424 Bonus Kit from Coastal Tool. This kit includes an extra 6" counterweight and the 18002 sanding pad. Alternatively you can try buying a 6" counterweight separately if you own a machine equipped with the 5" weight. People always had trouble in the past where they had to buy a separate counterweight once they bought a 7424 and the 6" CMA kit. Buy a 7336 or Coastal Tool kit and save yourself the trouble.



Failure to get a well balanced combination of counterweight and pads may result in increased wear and shorter life for your PC (not to mention sore hands), especially if you run it at high speeds a lot. The owner's manual also recommends that you have your PC inspected and serviced (if needed) after about 100 hours of usage by an authorized service center.
Click to expand...



I'm confused--well, a little. From what my understanding is, are you saying that you should never even bother with the 5" counterweight? I.e., use a 5" counterweight with a 5" pad?



I want to get a PC from Lowes, but I believe they carry the 7424, which is the 5" model.



CMA also carries this counterweight for around $4. Does Lowes carry this counterweight?



Also, the CMA deluxe 7424 kit is kinda pricey. All I want is a cutting, polishing, and finishing pad (one of each). Obviously I'll need a velcro backing plate. What do you recommend I should do: should I buy Meguiar's pads separately?
 
Acura_RL said:
I'm confused--well, a little. From what my understanding is, are you saying that you should never even bother with the 5" counterweight? I.e., use a 5" counterweight with a 5" pad?



I want to get a PC from Lowes, but I believe they carry the 7424, which is the 5" model.



CMA also carries this counterweight for around $4. Does Lowes carry this counterweight?



Also, the CMA deluxe 7424 kit is kinda pricey. All I want is a cutting, polishing, and finishing pad (one of each). Obviously I'll need a velcro backing plate. What do you recommend I should do: should I buy Meguiar's pads separately?
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Hmm, you know the funny thing is I don't remember wording some of those paragraphs so strongly. :hm Then a again, it's the impression I get from the input of lots of people regarding the counterweight issue (including some lost threads). Really, I'm just trying to say the 6" counterweight is better not dead-set required. Sure, it'll work and probably lots of people still use the 5" weight, but it doesn't seem to be the best setup.



As far as I know, Lowes carries the 7336, but there are no Lowes stores up here. Do a search for "lowes".



Why do I get the feeling that CMA is carrying the 6" weight because of my thread? :o They don't seem too happy about having to do it too from the sound of that page. Well I still think the 6" weight is a better thing to have, no matter what they say. Hey, they also say there's a problem with Klasse and Souveran too, so we don't have to believe everything they suggest.



Sorry I can't help you much with the pad situation. The only thing you can really do is just shop around and see if you can mix/match some things. Sometimes you can find Meguiar's stuff locally. Check out Top of the Line too. HTH





Updates:

-added mention of my observations about using a velcro pad adapter

-added mention of CMA's Spot Repair Pads

-added disclaimer to weight recommendation similar to above.

-verified links
 
4DSC said:
Hmm, you know the funny thing is I don't remember wording some of those paragraphs so strongly. :hm Then a again, it's the impression I get from the input of lots of people regarding the counterweight issue (including some lost threads). Really, I'm just trying to say the 6" counterweight is better not dead-set required. Sure, it'll work and probably lots of people still use the 5" weight, but it doesn't seem to be the best setup.



As far as I know, Lowes carries the 7336, but there are no Lowes stores up here. Do a search for "lowes".



Why do I get the feeling that CMA is carrying the 6" weight because of my thread? :o They don't seem too happy about having to do it too from the sound of that page. Well I still think the 6" weight is a better thing to have, no matter what they say. Hey, they also say there's a problem with Klasse and Souveran too, so we don't have to believe everything they suggest.



Sorry I can't help you much with the pad situation. The only thing you can really do is just shop around and see if you can mix/match some things. Sometimes you can find Meguiar's stuff locally. Check out Top of the Line too. HTH





Updates:

-added mention of my observations about using a velcro pad adapter

-added mention of CMA's Spot Repair Pads

-added disclaimer to weight recommendation similar to above.

-verified links
Click to expand...



LOWES has the 7336SP for $109. I bought mine from Lowes and it cut my 14 hour Polish/Wax down to 3.5 hours! Awesome little machine!
 
tkr128 said:
Wow! Thanks for all the info. I spent nearly 2 days reading up on PC info before I bought my 7336SP from Lowes and a velcro backing plate/yellow cutting pad/white polishing pad from CMA. If only I had this thread before! :up
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what is CMA if you dont mind? im wondering because i want to find a local place that carries velcro backed pads. :)
 
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