cheapest I've found is $114 - does anyone know of any cheaper places?

i ordered mine two days ago from coastal tool because it was only 119 and they give you a 6" hook and loop mounting pad and a 6" weight to use 6" pads instead of the stock 5" weight on top of the regular stuff. so you will have both the 5" and 6" weight.

shipping wasn't much either.

link to porter cable at coastal tools (http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/port/7424_car_buffer.htm?L+coastest+yrwb7654ff1b0c1b+11 02434476)

there is always ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20782&item=4343373345&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

Lowe's $80.

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=51472-000041735-7336

shit and i just paid 40 bucks more through coastal tools. time to cut my wrists again :S

that Lowe's price is amazing, id almost contemplate buying a second one

What's the difference between the 7424 and 7336?
$80 bucks sounds good!

Lowes price sais $100??? :confused

What's the difference between the 7424 and 7336?
$80 bucks sounds good!
Check detailing 101. I have that question in the faq. Too lazy to retype. :)

Cut and paste is easier! :stickoutt

David-seriously, thanks for the great tips and info that you provide to us!!! :buttrock

Here is the info from that thread:

Q: What is the difference between the 7424 and 7336 models?
A: The 7424 comes packaged with a 5” counterweight while the 7336 comes with a 6“ counterweight.

Q: Why should I care about this?
A: The purpose of the weight is to minimize the vibration of the machine when using it with different size backing plates. You should always match backing plate diameter with counterweight size. For example, 6” plate with a 6” counter weight, and so on. Since most foam pads on the market are made in 6” diameters or greater, this necessitates the purchase of a 6” backing plate, and thus a 6” counterweight. This makes the 7336 the ideal model because it comes with the 6” weight.

Q: Why do you recommend the 7424 then?
A: Because it seems that the 7336 is not always as readily available. Buying the 7424 and then changing it to the 6” weight will give you the same machine.

Lowes price sais $100??? :confused

Yesterday must have been the last day. It was 79.98 when I checked last night...

Yes, I saw the price last night, they were @ $80.
Today:
Porter-Cable Random Orbit Sander
Item #: 51472
Model: 7336

$99.97

I'm still going to check them out.

THANKS FOR THE CUT & PASTE!!!!

Lowe's must have spies on this board and they figured they could get another 20 bucks out of us around christmas time.

yeah thats it... spies.

Say if I get the PC 7336 from Lowes, what else do I need to get started since the 7336 only comes with one polishing pad. Where is the best place to get them?

That is a nasty price. Thanks for the heads up!

I just found out Lowes had a 20% off deal on power tools. It expired a couple of days ago.

dammit I need that 20% off discount!

fcuk!

Cut and paste is easier! :stickoutt

Q: Why should I care about this?
A: The purpose of the weight is to minimize the vibration of the machine when using it with different size backing plates. You should always match backing plate diameter with counterweight size. For example, 6” plate with a 6” counter weight, and so on. Since most foam pads on the market are made in 6” diameters or greater, this necessitates the purchase of a 6” backing plate, and thus a 6” counterweight. This makes the 7336 the ideal model because it comes with the 6” weight.
machine.

This is not entirely true. After having done a reasonable amount of research and trial, the 6" counterweight has no effect when used for detailing. The 5" and 6" CW's have identical feel when used on a smooth surface such as a car's paint.

When used on a gritty surface, the CW size does matter as it decreases vibration from the machine's interaction with the surface. If the surface is smooth, you are feeling the machine's vibration only. A bigger CW will not reduce the machine's inherent vibration.

That being said, I'd go with the 7336...just for the bling factor.

dammit I need that 20% off discount!

fcuk!
You and me both.
I have a list of tools I would have bought, had I known.

Anyway, had I known, I would have been searching for a 7336 rather than a 7424. I was always under the impression that the 7424 was better. The 7336 has always had a better price.

Eh, in an automotive detailing application, the 7424 and the 7336 offer the same performance.

That's good to know, because the 7336 is cheaper.

That being said, I'd go with the 7336...just for the bling factor.

I will go with that so that people will sweat me.

People all over the globe already sweat you, Mr. Champion. Too bad you got jibbed in this month's Der Bayerishce....Doby was ALL OVER the back.

If you are an NCC member, submit pics of your car and a write up to Steve S. You too can be sweated and adored by millions.

If you are an NCC member, submit pics of your car and a write up to Steve S. You too can be sweated and adored by millions.

Too late.

haha, I stopped by a mom-&-pop hardware store for something else, but I saw that they had a refurbished 7336 for only $100.
When I saw refurbished, I thought I had struck gold. Unfortunately for them, Lowes still has new ones for $99

were can I get extra pads for the 7336?

I ws stumpbling around looking for a bug-shield for my Tahoe. I saw that NAPA had a whole section of pads and accessories. Lots of 3M products too.