Guide · Pads and backing plates
Pad and backing-plate compatibility
How to match a backing plate to your polisher and a pad to the plate: Milwaukee's equal-diameter rule, RUPES's deliberate overhang, and what is in the box.
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Short answer
Use the backing plate your polisher's maker recommends, then the pad size that maker pairs with it. Makers disagree on overhang: Milwaukee says the plate diameter should match the pad diameter,[1] while RUPES deliberately pairs its 125 mm plate with 130-150 mm foam pads.[2] Neither rule transfers to another brand's tool, so follow your own machine's manual.
Three things have to fit
- The plate to the tool. The mount, thread or screw pattern must match the machine. RUPES lists a 6 x M4 plate mount and a dedicated 125 mm plate for its LK900E, for example.[3] Milwaukee says to use only accessories specifically recommended for its polishers, because others may be hazardous.[1]
- The plate to the motion. FLEX sells separate rotary plates (FT331 and FT332) and orbital plates (FT333 and FT334) for its 120 V rotary and random orbital polishers. Do not move a plate between machine types unless the maker lists it for both.
- The pad to the plate. The pad's hook-and-loop face must be the right diameter for the plate, and centered.
What the makers say about overhang
Pad overhang is how far the pad extends past the edge of the plate.
| Maker | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee (2684-20, 2685-20) | Plate diameter should match the pad diameter; center the pad, with a centering tool if provided, for proper balance | Milwaukee[1] |
| RUPES (LHR15ES) | 125 mm plate with BigFoot foam pads of 130-150 mm and wool pads of 130 mm, so the pad overhangs on purpose | RUPES[2] |
These are each maker's rule for its own system. RUPES's pairing does not make every overhang acceptable on other brands' plates, and Milwaukee's rule argues against putting a smaller pad on a larger plate on its tools.[1]
What comes in the box
Check the box contents before you order pads. Milwaukee's manual shows a backing plate as part of the 2684-20 and 2685-20 and says the polishing pad is not included.[1] Milwaukee's product pages list 5-inch (49-36-0401) and 6-inch (49-36-0402) plates by part number but do not say in text which one ships with each tool, so confirm on the box or with the seller.[4]
For the machines we list:
- Makita XOP02Z: the catalog variant is the tool only, which Makita supplies with a 5-inch (197923-2) and a 6-inch (197929-0) plate. No pads, battery or charger.[5]
- FLEX FC3321-Z: FLEX supplies 5-inch (FT333) and 6-inch (FT334) plates and gives a 6-inch maximum pad.[6]
- FLEX FX3321-Z: FLEX gives a 6-inch maximum backing pad and says the tool only comes with 5-inch and 6-inch plates. Its page lists rotary part numbers (FT331, FT332) for the tool-only version and orbital ones (FT333, FT334) for the kit, so confirm which plates are in the box.[7][8]
A pad that fits a Makita 5-inch plate
Makita pairs 5-1/2 inch foam pads, including the black T-02680, with its 5-inch backing plate in its PO5000CX2 polisher kit.[9] That is about 140 mm of foam on a 125 mm plate, so a small, maker-chosen overhang. Makita says the T-02680 is for 5-inch polishers with hook-and-loop backing pads and describes it as semi firm and ideal for polishing, but gives no cut rating, so we do not assign it one.[10]
Before you buy plates or pads
- Find the maker's accessory list in your tool's manual and buy from it.
- Match the plate to the motion: rotary plates for rotaries, orbital plates for DAs.
- Match the pad to the plate using your maker's rule: equal diameter (Milwaukee) or the maker's stated overhang (RUPES).
- Skip "universal" plates that do not name your tool. Milwaukee warns that accessories it does not recommend may be hazardous.[1]
Next
Questions
Should the polishing pad be bigger than the backing plate?
It depends on the maker. Milwaukee says the plate diameter should match the pad diameter, while RUPES pairs its 125 mm plate with 130-150 mm foam pads on purpose. Follow your tool's manual.[1][2]
Can I use a rotary backing plate on a dual-action polisher?
Only if the maker lists it for both. FLEX, for example, sells separate rotary plates (FT331, FT332) and orbital plates (FT333, FT334) for its 120 V machines.[8][6]
Does the Milwaukee 2684-20 come with a backing plate?
Milwaukee's manual shows a backing plate as part of the tool and says the polishing pad is not included. Its product pages do not say in text which plate size ships, so check the box.[1][4]
Are universal backing plates safe?
Milwaukee says to use only accessories specifically recommended for its polishers, because others may be hazardous. Treat a plate that does not name your tool as unverified.[1]
What cut level is the Makita T-02680 black pad?
Makita gives no cut rating. It describes the T-02680 as semi firm and ideal for polishing, for 5-inch polishers with hook-and-loop backing pads, so we do not assign it a cut level.[10]