Just recieved my PC 7424 and....

[nooboob]

I know that it`s not supposed to be a shiny, durable item, but I`m a bit disappointed.



The black part behind the orbiter (the top part of the buffer) is loose and I can shake it, making a clicking noise... I wonder how it will act once I start buffing.



Also, the "on/off" switch is crooked and has scratch marks all over it.



Is this normal?

[kaval]

Doesn`t sound normal to me...I know the plastic part on mine was a bit loose, but nothing to be concerned about. I know for a fact that on mine there were ZERO scratches.

[critical_level2]

Doesn`t sound normal to me...I know the plastic part on mine was a bit loose, but nothing to be concerned about. I know for a fact that on mine there were ZERO scratches.

Mine also. I got mine from coastal tools. It still had the factory sealing tape on it.



Did you buy it new and from where?

[nooboob]

^ where was the factory sealing tape? Do you mean on the box?



Yeah.. I bought it supposedly "new"... Check out pics on the first post.

[Legacy]

I know that it`s not supposed to be a shiny, durable item, but I`m a bit disappointed.



The black part behind the orbiter (the top part of the buffer) is loose and I can shake it, making a clicking noise... I wonder how it will act once I start buffing.



Also, the "on/off" switch is crooked and has scratch marks all over it.



Is this normal?

Head being a little loose is normal, but the switch, no. Contact the vendor that you bought it from if this bothers you.

[Paul Sparks]

I would question seller and if not happy then would return.

[backwoods_lex]

I ordered mine in a set from autogeek and it came the same way: crooked on/off switch and loose black cover. The cover does make some noise when polishing, but I`ve gotten many, many uses out of the machine and am glad to report that it has been absolutely bulletproof and problem free for me.



I wonder why our PC`s came like that though.

[BigAl3]

go to your local hardware store and you can buy a few bolts and put them on each side, and that will prevent it from rattling. bring the handle with you so you can ask them to match up a bolt with the same thread size, etc... i think the on/off switch was just installed just a tad to one side thus making it look a little crooked... as long as it functions and goes up & down with no issues, you should be fine...

[nooboob]

I ordered mine in a set from autogeek and it came the same way: crooked on/off switch and loose black cover. The cover does make some noise when polishing, but I`ve gotten many, many uses out of the machine and am glad to report that it has been absolutely bulletproof and problem free for me.



I wonder why our PC`s came like that though.

glad to know someone else is in the same boat... and it`s still working fine? hm....

go to your local hardware store and you can buy a few bolts and put them on each side, and that will prevent it from rattling. bring the handle with you so you can ask them to match up a bolt with the same thread size, etc... i think the on/off switch was just installed just a tad to one side thus making it look a little crooked... as long as it functions and goes up & down with no issues, you should be fine...

I would try to see if it works, but that would mean tearing up the packaging of all the other stuff... and that might void any sort of return I may have in my favor. Turns out that the store I bought it from doesn`t handle any returns from Porter Cable... I have to go directly to the manufacturer myself.



I`ll be damned if they charge me for repairs and extra shipping on their end. Grr.... I knew detailing the ride was going to be hard.

[beachcities]

they sound used. i have heard of people doing high volume jobs, using multiple machines, then returning them in boxed, "like new" condition.

[nooboob]

they sound used. i have heard of people doing high volume jobs, using multiple machines, then returning them in boxed, "like new" condition.

well this is disheartening. actually, this makes perfect sense. manufacturers receive these products back from original buyers for one reason or another (just like you mentioned)... Then they sell them back to different stores for resale. These stores in return can advertise them as "new" or however way they want it. Nowhere in their advertisements do they mention "refurbished" or what-not because by law, I don`t think they`re required to.



if this is the case, Porter Cable needs to get they`re head out of their *** if they think they can continue on like this.

[kaval]

I`d also question that unit being used because of the on/off switch. Looks as though there are impact indents in the texture of the switch.

[GlossyTundra]

Honestly, and with the risk of sounding like an A-Hole, i`d say let it go. The switch is crooked, yeah so what? It still works. All of our covers are a little loose, with no problems. It`s a tool meant to make a car look good, not to look good itself. It`s going to get banged up anyway....

[JasonC8301]

If it was advertised as new and you expect new. This machine looks used based upon the scratched switch. Does any other part of the machine look used?



I had my PC for a very long time, figure around 7 years or so. It has been through countless details and placed on the ground no so gently.



My black cover didn`t rattle until I unscrewed the handle and then my PC exhibited that loose cover syndrome.



Here is a picture of my switch as of 10 minutes ago.







Don`t see much indentations but the switch is not straight back and forth but can be crooked like yours. Don`t mind the dust and cobwebs in it, lol.

[backwoods_lex]

I wouldn`t think it would be used and repackaged. I don`t think that I`ve ever seen a clean PC in anyones pics and I know mine got slimed up in polish pretty quickly and has stayed that way since.