Can I use a 3in pad with a 6in D/A

[randy]

I have a airvantage sander that came with a 6in pad. Can I use a 3in pad with it?

[Henry]

I have a airvantage sander that came with a 6in pad. Can I use a 3in pad with it?
that comes to mind is you will have to sand ABSOLUTELY flat because if you angle the machine you will put big nasty gouch scratches in the surface.
Not sure about the acceptability of mechanical design. Naturally it would fit but. Henry

[Len]

I have a airvantage sander that came with a 6in pad. Can I use a 3in pad with it?

AirVantage (and most other "good" sanders) are engineered to be use with a specific size pad. When you vary from that engineering you will usually find that it generates an unacceptable amount of vibration. AirVantage and other sanders have a counter-balance designed for the size of the pad that the sander is shipped with.

[Dennis N. Schmidt]

The size of the pad isn't the problem it's the weight and moment of inertia of the pad that's the problem. The counterweights used in these sanders are specific for the weight of the pads. 6" pads weigh 130 grams and 5" pads 100 grams. Bottom line is that you can't mix them.