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Accumulator · 07-11-05, 02:48

I have both counterweights and after playing around with them, I use the 6" weight with all sizes of pads, including the 4" ones.

My basic reasoning is that the foam pads we use for detailing all weigh more than a single sheet of sandpaper, and the original "weight/plate combos" were developed with sanding in mind. Perhaps this is why people decide that "the counterweights all act the same". I dunno, I just can't imagine Porter Cable bothering with different weights if they don't make any difference and *I* believe I feel smoother operationn with the larger weight.

I've never had any problems from running the 6" counterweight with the smaller pads; the problems I've had with bearings/etc. all came from using the 6" counterweight with 6-6.5" pads. This weight with the 4" pads runs nice and smooth, even at speed 6.

07-11-05, 02:48	#4 (permalink)
Accumulator Practical Perfectionist Accumulator is offline Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 20,795	I have both counterweights and after playing around with them, I use the 6" weight with all sizes of pads, including the 4" ones. My basic reasoning is that the foam pads we use for detailing all weigh more than a single sheet of sandpaper, and the original "weight/plate combos" were developed with sanding in mind. Perhaps this is why people decide that "the counterweights all act the same". I dunno, I just can't imagine Porter Cable bothering with different weights if they don't make any difference and I believe I feel smoother operationn with the larger weight. I've never had any problems from running the 6" counterweight with the smaller pads; the problems I've had with bearings/etc. all came from using the 6" counterweight with 6-6.5" pads. This weight with the 4" pads runs nice and smooth, even at speed 6.