You just can't beat the Flex 3401...

Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
Sounds like you may be upgrading.

Which machines do you have on hand? This will better assist me in answering your questions.
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I have the GG 6 and the FLEX PE8 Kompakt Rotary. I wanted to buy a rotary but this forced DA keeps my attention. So I'm wondering if this will be better than a rotary or the upcoming upgrade version. I was going after the Mark II but I'm not sure about it after reading that it still stall on curves.
 
hdez said:
I have the GG 6 and the FLEX PE-8. I wanted to buy a rotary but this forced DA keeps my attention. So I'm wondering if this will be better than a rotary or the upcoming upgrade version. I was going after the Mark II but I'm not sure about it after reading that it still stall on curves.
Click to expand...
If you're used to forced rotation(like me), I wouldn't bother with a long throw polisher. There are countless areas where the pad WILL stall or slow down and you must finesse your technique, and sometimes it's just impossible. With the 3401, I put the pad to the paint and go to work. I can go up on edges, concaves, curves without a problem. Again, and I stress this, it will give you a workout, but I don't mind at all.

The rotary will correct faster than any other machine, but the 3401 is no slouch!
 
WRAPT C5Z06 said:
If you're used to forced rotation(like me), I wouldn't bother with a long throw polisher. There are countless areas where the pad WILL stall or slow down and you must finesse your technique, and sometimes it's just impossible. With the 3401, I put the pad to the paint and go to work. I can go up on edges, concaves, curves without a problem. Again, and I stress this, it will give you a workout, but I don't mind at all.

The rotary will correct faster than any other machine, but the 3401 is no slouch!
Click to expand...

Seems like this is something I want. I haven't use a bigger rotary yet but I love using my small rotary for the same reason that it never stalls. And after reading that the 3401 has the advantages to be more safe than a rotary, that's a win combination right there in my view, unless I'm missing something. Also, I don't mind to wait til December for the new XCE version.
 
hdez said:
I got some questions regarding this polisher, I hope can get some answers :).

1. If you could get the Flex XC 3401 VRG or the RUPES Mark II at the same price, which one would you choose and why?
2. What is the main difference between this and the upcoming FLEX polisher? (XCE)
3. Same as the number 1 question but with the FLEX XFE7-15.
4. What are you missing from a rotary with the Flex XC 3401 VRG?
5. What's the vibration difference between the 3401 and a GG6 or PC?

TIA
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1. FLEX 3401. No such thing as pad stall with this machine.
2. The FLEX XCE is the updated version of the current 3401.
3. In your case I would go with the 3401.
4. Not much. The 3401 is a serious workhorse and will handle just about anything you throw at it when properly equipped. I.e Pads/Compounds
5. The 3401 will vibrate more so than the traditional DA's no doubt about it.
 
I opted for the 3401 primarily for the forced rotation and no stalling. I'm tired of feathering my Torq 10fx to keep it rotating. Especially noticeable when using the Nanoskin auto.
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
1. FLEX 3401. No such thing as pad stall with this machine.
2. The FLEX XCE is the updated version of the current 3401.
3. In your case I would go with the 3401.
4. Not much. The 3401 is a serious workhorse and will handle just about anything you throw at it when properly equipped. I.e Pads/Compounds
5. The 3401 will vibrate more so than the traditional DA's no doubt about it.
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I have to disagree on #5, Mike.

I always found the 3401 to run very smooth. Sure, the forced rotation could pull around someone new to it, but I think it has much less vibration coming from the tool itself.
 
WRAPT C5Z06 said:
If you're used to forced rotation(like me), I wouldn't bother with a long throw polisher. There are countless areas where the pad WILL stall or slow down and you must finesse your technique, and sometimes it's just impossible. With the 3401, I put the pad to the paint and go to work. I can go up on edges, concaves, curves without a problem. Again, and I stress this, it will give you a workout, but I don't mind at all.

The rotary will correct faster than any other machine, but the 3401 is no slouch!
Click to expand...

Allow me to chime in late to this thread:

A few weeks before I was getting ready to buy my Rupes 15 Mark II, I sold my flex 3401 just to give it a shot.

I think for what it is, the Rupes is a great machine...

With only that said, I MISS MY FLEX!!

As many have put it, I love the idea of POWERING THROUGH A DETAIL!!


Sadly, I am saving up the funds to go back to Flex.

And just to note:

Rupes makes a great system; Flex just felt more my speed.
 
Dan Tran said:
Sadly, I am saving up the funds to go back to the 3401
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Been there, done that...ha.

I've said before, once you get used to FORCED ROTATION, free spinning DA's become frustrating(at times).
 
I was very close to selling mine for a rupes 15 Mk2. I'm glad I didn't. I think the mk15 will be a great addition one day, but not now... Not for someone who doesn't get paid to do this.

I went from a PC to this. The PC used to stall with lots of curves and me trying to keep the pad flat around curves... Flex no such thing. It'll work non stop... It came to a point where I don't even remember what a pad stall is anymore.

I bought a cheap Harbor Freight PC copy that I use for small spots with a 3" adapter and also use it to scrub. Most of my panels are done with the flex now.

I don't understand why nobody copies this design. random orbital was one revolution in this category (Which I think PC 7424 started). the forced rotation idea by flex is the evolution and I'm surprised everyone doesn't have their own copy of this. Instead they went with the long throw machines which Flex also jumped on.

as far as vibration no. It runs much better than a PC... that thing makes me arm itch everytime i use it.
 
I started detailing a few years ago when I received a poor paint job on my classic car. I joined this forum ,took some good advice,bought everything I needed to wet sand,buff,polish,etc. I bought a PC 7424,and the Flex 3401 and went to work. When it came to polishing I tried to use the PC,but I kept going back to the 3401. Having never used a polishing machine ,I was amazed at the results I achieved with the 3401.I still use the PC for final polishes and waxing,but the 3401 is quite the work horse.
For all the people new to detailing and are wondering what machine to buy,the 3401 is worth the money IMHO.
 
11B250 said:
I was very close to selling mine for a rupes 15 Mk2. I'm glad I didn't. I think the mk15 will be a great addition one day, but not now... Not for someone who doesn't get paid to do this.

I went from a PC to this. The PC used to stall with lots of curves and me trying to keep the pad flat around curves... Flex no such thing. It'll work non stop... It came to a point where I don't even remember what a pad stall is anymore.

I bought a cheap Harbor Freight PC copy that I use for small spots with a 3" adapter and also use it to scrub. Most of my panels are done with the flex now.

I don't understand why nobody copies this design. random orbital was one revolution in this category (Which I think PC 7424 started). the forced rotation idea by flex is the evolution and I'm surprised everyone doesn't have their own copy of this. Instead they went with the long throw machines which Flex also jumped on.

as far as vibration no. It runs much better than a PC... that thing makes me arm itch everytime i use it.
Click to expand...
There's a thread on Autopia where it has been copied; it's available on Alibaba.

Sent from my E6853 using Tapatalk
 
richy said:
There's a thread on Autopia where it has been copied; it's available on Alibaba.
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I saw pictures of the copied tool floating around on FB somewhere a while back. My guess is like a most things you get what you pay for. I've looked at the pictures and the quality of the machine finishing looks no where near as good as the real deal.

I've taken a tour of the FLEX manufacturing plant in Stuttgart, Germany, in fact I was the first guy they let take pictures of the manufacturing process and the share them publicly and with my background in process control when I worked for Hewlett-Packard I can verify that the German original, that is the real deal is the Mercedes-Benz of polishers.


Take the virtual tour of the FLEX plant here...


Germany Flex Plant Tour Pictures



Here's a head unit after precision machine milling

GFlexTrip38.jpg



Here you can see a lubrication spray being blasted at a component while it's being milled...

GFlexTrip39.jpg






:)
 
Mike, make no mistake as to my position on this fakery: it'll be crap! I am waiting for the new one (hopefully) due in December unless they push it back again. I hope they have solved the heating issue.

Sent from my E6853 using Tapatalk
 
Oh, by the way, I have heard that smearing some grease on the inside of the housing helps dissipate the heat (was from a Flex person) but I wasn't told what grease. Can you verify which one please? TIA

Sent from my E6853 using Tapatalk
 
richy said:
Oh, by the way, I have heard that smearing some grease on the inside of the housing helps dissipate the heat (was from a Flex person) but I wasn't told what grease. Can you verify which one please? TIA

Sent from my E6853 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I heard/saw on forums that it was a few drops of oil ie. 3 in 1 oil
 
Out of curiosity,I looked up those Cheapanese copies. Those people will copy anything,especially if it is good. Too bad they can't copy the quality!By the time you but it & ship it,it costs about half what the Flex does. Sorry,I will gladly pay the other half to own the better machine and I did. Have the 3401 & the PE-8. Love em both! Going to add the PE-14 to the arsenal down the road & the XCE as well when it comes out in December ( We Hope! ).
By the way,if anyone doesn't mind the pink color,they are back at AG at a better price than the red one. Get one & save some $$
I have a 1st gen Rupes 21 as well. Nice machine but I find I reach for the flex for most applications.
 
richy said:
Mike, make no mistake as to my position on this fakery: it'll be crap!

I am waiting for the new one (hopefully) due in December unless they push it back again. I hope they have solved the heating issue.
Click to expand...


Interestingly enough Bob Eichelberg was in my office yesterday and we discussed the new FLEX tools and an upcoming project that I don't think is public yet but I'll check.



richy said:
Oh, by the way, I have heard that smearing some grease on the inside of the housing helps dissipate the heat (was from a Flex person) but I wasn't told what grease.

Can you verify which one please? TIA
Click to expand...


I'll see if I can verify this as it doesn't sound right. A layer of thick grease would act as in insulator and trap heat in not help it to transfer out of the head unit.


:)
 
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