You could buy a four in backing plate, if thats what your asking. http://www.detailersdomain.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=189
Thanks guys, saw the Griots, didn't know if anyone else made one. Sometimes it would be nice in a tight spot with little room to work with.
Metabo makes a 3" DA that's superior to Griot's, IMO. I use a variety of 3 and 4" pads on it for tight spots. Works great for quick n easy, one-handed LSP spreading and removal as well. Got mine here: Metabo 600405420 SXE400 3-1/8" Compact Random Orbit Disc Sander They have a couple of 3" pads available, ADS has better quality and selection. TL
That Metabo sander looks interesting, How well does it perform? I mean does it leave pig tails on the surface of a vehicle? Just curious but why not go with the Mirka MR-3 3" Abrasive Finishing Disc Sander, looks like this:
The Metabo isn't gonna replace your rotary or Flex, it isn't what you'd call a stout performer. However, with 3.5" PFW and M105 it corrected nicely in spots I would've otherwise been laying on the garage floor to reach. Didn't notice any pigtails, then again, my most extensive use of it was on white. It's a nice wax applicator, the PC and a MF bonnet works a lot better for removal. I s'pose a 3" is a 3" and any would be handy to have. The Metabo was just the first one I saw before I knew that type of tool existed. One of the interesting features I saw on another forum is a guy that holds it between his knees upside down to polish small parts. First thing I used it for and it worked real well. No substitute for a dedicated buffing wheel if you do a lot of polishing but like I sez, real handy for my uses on small jobs or hard to reach areas. Real nice for rocker panels and door jambs as well. TL
TL, what is ADS stand for? By the way, the Metabo looks close too the one from Griots, it isn't, but does look close.
autodetailingsolutions.net Word I've seen on several forums is the Griot's version was a blatant knockoff. It appears they had some problems with 'em and stopped selling 'em for a while. They seem to be available again. Metabo has been making tools a long, long time. Personally, I don't mind paying more for quality when it comes to tools. Every time I try to cheap out and save a buck I end up shooting myself in the foot anyway. :shead:
Got the Metabo sx e 400. I ordered it Monday night, got it this morning, 10 am EDT from Tools Plus for a total of $124.49, thats with shipping. Will select a backing plate next, and hopefully get a chance to use it shortly? Just feel safer in those tight spots with something like this.
The backing plate is held on by a hex screw. Didn't think it came with one, so now i have a spare. The foam pad that came with it is plenty soft that attaches to it, so thats a nice feature. The only thing i did for safety sake is to remove the hex allen wrench that was attached to the power cord. Thanks again for mentioning the Metabo.
An extra BP is not a bad thing. I think that foam pad is designed to use with sanding discs when you use pressure to sand rounded stuff. I removed the hex key as well for the same reason. Stuck it somewhere so I'd know where it was.... which means I won't be able to find it when I need it. :doh:
