Do the 5.5 and 6.5" pads use the same backing plate? ....<snip>...
A lot would say the 6.5" pad needs a 6" plate which is 5-3/4" in diameter, others have the margin of error thought where the 5" plate should be used.
I only take my 5" plate ( ~ 4-7/8" ) off to to put on the 3" ( ~ 2-7/8 ) plate anymore, for use with 3" pads. I still have a 4" plate for the 4" Orange LC flat pads for getting around items ( door handles, washer nozzles, etc ), but anymore I go with the Opti 3.25" MF pads instead. I can put PP on them, and get correction done quicker ( it is similar to having a 3.25" white LC pad ). The 4" LC pads would work for you until you feel the need or want to try MF pads. I got hooked on the MF pad crack from Opti this year for some reason.
....<snip>...I know that kit may be a bit overkill, but it seems you get a lot for that $225. :smt119
I would say a lot you don't need, and they are packaging up house brands with it, so they can fudge the price on a kit. Remember the 1st taste is always free.:mrgreen:
If you look at a pad set from the Ultrafinish site, you could go with the 5.5" Flex VC Mixed Kit for $54.95.
This gets you useful pad combo to work with in my opinion and Steve says the size is doable with experience on a PC.
Here is a picture of my old 5" plate ( use it for my hack pads now ) on my Flex and on the 5.5" PB Flex VC pads.
Add in the PC7424, a 5" plate a currently on sale DMT Gold 6 pack for $ 21.95 and you have a useful kit to start with.
If you find you need the smaller pads, you can go with the CCS 4" Mixed /5 $ 22.95 and get 2 Red, 2 White, and 2 Orange which is what you would need for getting around stuff ( not just 4' orange pads chances are a follow up polish and LSP are needed in the same area ) and the 3.5" DA Backing Plate for 12.95.
The plates on the Ultrafinish site are better plates than what the kit seems to have.
That URL still has what looks like the plates I bought a decade ago from PAC before they went under. They do work, don't get me wrong, but there has been better made like the ones on the Ultrafinish site.
The plates with the white center seem to flex easier. I do not have one from the kit above, so I am going by looks only in the picture and comparing it to what I have that looks similar to it.
So while you can get a lot with the kit, are you going to use it all, and are you going to have to buy additional items to get where you need to be.
Just a rambling thought on the topic, I am sure Wally or Bigsur ( others ) will add / correct my thoughts and the assumption I have going on.