How would this compare with a dewalt dwp849x 7-inch/9-inch variable speed polisher . it’s the cheaper of the two options so i need some advice

Better is a matter of opinion, so, this is difficult to answer. Not entirely sure what you are trying to accomplish. Are you intending upon becoming a professional detailer? Are you intending to detail your car and friends/relatives, i.e. concerned amateur. How often do you want to use this? I detailed 3 cars and once detailed, I keep them cleaned and polished and sealed. I will never let my cars get to the situation where a polisher is needed. So, I don't intend to use it unless someone else wants their car detailed. I don't intend upon becoming a professional, if I did, I would get a Flex 3401 VRG direct drive DA which means a great combination of a DA and rotary but it is costs more than the 7424XP and the DWP849x together. (currently Flex is made in Germany but owned by a Chinese company). Both Porter-Cable and DeWalt are owned by Stanley, Black & Decker and both are made in Mexico. If country of origin matters, and since both are made in Mexico there is no difference. The DWP849x has soft start and the tigger is variable speed up to the speed you select, and you can lock the trigger into the full on position (where it will run at the speed you've selected). I've had the chance to use the DWP940x and for my application, I'd rather not spend $200 and 7"/9" is not required. If you want to use "normal" sized pads, you'll need to gat an additional backing plate, like a 5" or 6" Larger pads are available but leaves you with less choices and are typically more expensive. If you go with DWP849x, I'd recommend a smaller backing plate (I believe the "rating" of 7"/9" just means you can use larger backing plates and pads) with either a 5" or 6" backing plate (roughly $8-$20). You could damage your car if you use a smaller pad than the backing plate. A pad should always be larger than the backing plate, but obviously not too large a difference (like 3" backing plate with a 7" pad). The Porter Cable does not come with a backing plate, but I bought some pads and there was a special offer (from the place that I bought it) that the backing plate was "free" if you bought 3 pads. To me (and only me) the extra $80 for the DWP849x, I'd rather have the 7424XP and spend the money on pads/backing plates and products (polish, sealant/wax, decontaminates, clay bar, etc.); keeping in mind that you'd still have to buy those anyway. If you are a true beginner, the lower cost 7424XP would be a great starting point. The DWP849x weighs just over 3 lbs. and the 7424XP is nearly 6 lbs. But the weight of the 7424XP means that I used the weight of the polisher to apply the pressure instead of applying pressure by hand.

Does the polisher come with a backing plate? Can I just use it out of the box?

There is no backing plate with this, I just received my 7424XP and had to pick the plate up from Home Depot before I could use it. The only thing included is a polishing pad.

What is the smallest/largest pads you could use with this?

For what it comes with, a 6" pad. You could also install either a 5" backing plate or possibly a 3" plate as well and use the appropriate pads (3-5.5" pads respectively). I would not use anything outside that range for polishing paint. There MIGHT be carpet and upholstery brush attachments for this unit (which is what I use it for exclusively) that are 6.5". I'm not sure, but for paint, see above.

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Reviews

A**O

Mi carro quedó súper! es una gran herramienta y funcionó perfecto. Creo importante mencionar para cualquier posible comprador que en "mi opinión", las malas reseñas de esa máquina provienen de personas que no tienen la menor idea de como operar cualquier herramienta eléctrica (tampoco es como que haya mucho que saber). Por ejemplo, respetar su ciclo de trabajo, combinar su uso con una pulidora rotativa ordinaria para el trabajo de pulido más pesado, no utilizar NINGUNA HERRAMIENTA incluyendo esta porter cable al tope de su capacidad (máxima velocidad) por períodos prolongados y por supuesto utilizar los discos, pulidores y esponjas correctos. En mi caso solamente utilicé 3DOne (único producto, muy bueno por cierto) primero; con pulidora rotativa normal y con esponja naranja (de corte), segundo; mi porter cable con esponja azul (de acabado), por último; apliqué cera a mano y mi coche quedó increíble. Por supuesto que esta máquina es capaz de realizar el corte pero por su acción dual le va a tomar más tiempo ya que son equipos más enfocados a dar un acabado final, no se dejen engañar, confíen en esta máquina orgullosamente hecha en México. Mis recomendaciones personales: Acerca de las esponjas cualquier marca funciona bien (yo tengo dos kits de esponjas de bajo costo que me funcionan perfecto), utilizar el 3DOne, que es un producto excelente de un solo paso (para pulir) y finalmente (por lo menos en mi caso) encerar a mano con estopa/microfibra es "más rápido" e igual de efectivo que hacerlo con máquina. Finalmente, necesitarán un disco extra, el Neiko de 6 pulgadas me funcionó excelente (también lo encuentras en Amazon). Espero mi reseña les sea de utilidad para que sus autos queden como de exhibición!!

18.10.2021

P**E

The only thing I regret and cannot forgive...why I waited so long to buy this excellent creature...works super, bit noisy, but tolerable, strong, great speed settings, a real workhorse. No more rotary polishers for me.

6.11.2025

J**H

I’ve had this tool for many years now. It is well made and reliable. It has a decent weight and balance. I prefer corded tools for extended usage since I’m not tooling with the weight of a battery

11.09.2025

A**R

I bought this for my 70yr old dad a yr ago as with age & arthritis he's finding it difficult to polish & wax his vehicle by hand. This has taken most of the hard work out of a big job. This machine is amazing, the design & speed make it extremely difficult to damage your paint so I would recommend for beginners. I've never used a power polisher & had no problem with this. I did watch several YouTube videos to clarify what I was doing but it was extremely easy to figure out. It worked great getting strange scuff like marks off the hood of my car & completely removed a few bad scratches. The vibration did not aggravate my dad's arthritis but when I used it I had bad tendonitis & a small torn ligament in my wrist - the vibration did aggravate that if I used the machine too long so it took a few weeks to do my entire SUV. But for a person without a wrist injury there shouldn't be a problem with the vibration.

4.01.2020

M**A

Buena marca, buena calidad y en relación al precio es excelente y hace su función de manera correcta

18.04.2025

ASIN	B002654I46
Amperage	4.5 Amps
Batteries Required?	No
Batteries included?	No
Customer Reviews	4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,765)
Date First Available	8 Aug. 2012
Finish	Brushed
Global Trade Identification Number	00885911086394
Item Package Quantity	1
Item Weight	2.61 kg
Item model number	7424XP
Item weight	5.75 Pounds
Manufacturer	PORTER-CABLE
Maximum power	540 Watts
Part Number	7424XP
Pattern	Solid
Power source	Corded Electric
Product Dimensions	35.56 x 16.51 x 15.24 cm; 2.61 kg
Shape	Rectangular
Size	full size
Special Features	variable-speed
Specific uses for product	Automotive
Speed	3400 RPM
Style	Polisher Only
Switch style	redesigned
UPC	885911086394 735090490553 821079171336 039404074249 043952198302 043934390588 043906590671 717927536740 788809702652 785497210971 758353369953 717927536887
Voltage	120 Volts

PORTER-CABLE Buffer Polisher, Car Polisher for Car Detailing, 6-Inch, Orbital, Variable Speed (7424XP)

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