Comparison: Original Porter Cable 7424 and it's Replacement 7424XP Polisher

[Lucy]

OK, you have been a fan of the Porter Cable 7424 Polisher for years and now you find out it has been replaced with the Porter Cable 7424xp - What should you do? Well, if you still love the feel and design of the Original Tried and True Porter Cable 7424, you better get one quick, because once they are gone, they are gone. The new XP Model does have more Amps 4.5 vs. 4.0 and goes up to 6,800 RPM?s versus 6,000 RPM?s on the older model, however, you might be surprised at the differences in the body design. The length of the actual body of the 7424XP polisher unit itself, is 1″ longer than the original (11″ vs. 10″). The new Polisher is also slightly heavier than the original 7424. Also, the air vents, variable speed dial, and screw holes are located on the handle or body of the XP model where your hand may be while operating the unit. In contrast, the original 7424 air vent, variable speed dial and screw are located at the base of the unit and your hand does not touch any controls while operating the unit.

Video Comparison: 7424 VS 7424XP

What are your thoughts?

 

[Loren Hedahl]

I've got the old, original one.

I've never wished for more power or speed, in fact I prefer to run it at a fairly slow speed.  It seems to be well enough built that it will last as long as I need it, so doubt I'll be ever looking to replace it.

A couple of years after I bought the Porter Cable, I bought a Festool RO 125 for its sanding abilities and dust pickup for woodworking.  Had I acquired the Festool earlier, I wouldn't have had any interest in also purchasing the Porter Cable.

I don't know which I would prefer for polishing, Porter Cable or Festool  --  they both do the job well.  For sanding, of course, it's no contest.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I have the RO 125 and frequently use it for polishing my automobiles.  Works great!  We already know it is a great sander.  I even dressed the friction surfaces of the brake rotors of one of my cars with it when changing out the brake pads.

Dave R.

 

[ForumMFG]

Dave, What pads and compounds do you use on your cars?