FLEX XC 3401 dual action or step up to a rotary?

[Danube]

Where there's a will there's a way. Have someone buy it and then ship it out. LOL!

I dunno...just talkin ish...I don't know how it works for international ship.

That's what I did when purchased my 3401 from US .. much better prices over there!

Have you had your 7424 serviced throughout its life? If not, I think your PC will run stronger after you have the brushes replaced.

To answer your original question, it would be a toss between the G110v2, GG6 or 3401. I'd pick any of them in a heart beat.

I wouldn't agree with you. I have both - Megs and 3401. Megs looks like a toy comparing to 3401 (no offense to anyone please!!).


:buffing:

 

[5.4 Shelby]

Have you had your 7424 serviced throughout its life? If not, I think your PC will run stronger after you have the brushes replaced.

To answer your original question, it would be a toss between the G110v2, GG6 or 3401. I'd pick any of them in a heart beat.

Honestly, I prefer my GG6 over my 3401. The Flex is a well built machine, no doubt. It just is harder to work than the GG. It tends to want to work you instead.

 

[Marc08EX]

I wouldn't agree with you. I have both - Megs and 3401. Megs looks like a toy comparing to 3401 (no offense to anyone please!!).


:buffing:

Honestly, I prefer my GG6 over my 3401. The Flex is a well built machine, no doubt. It just is harder to work than the GG. It tends to want to work you instead.

Hey guys,

A couple of years ago, I only had the G100 (7424 pretty much) and I upgraded to the Flex 3401. I agree the Flex 3401 is a better machine when you're using foam pads. I like the forced rotation feature and it makes paint correction somewhat faster than the 2nd generation D/A's (G110v2/GG6). The build quality is top notch too. Nothing can beat Flex in that department. For me, this is all true until the microfiber system from Meguiar's came along. The microfiber cutting pads just worked so great and from what I've read, they just work better with the D/A. This is the only reason why I also like my 2nd generation D/A's. I like all my tools and I prefer them in different situations. As for which traditional D/A I like better, it's a toss up as well. I like the build quality of the G110v2 better and it has the cruise control feature. On the other hand, the GG6 has slightly more power and you can't beat lifetime warranty.

That's the reason why I recommended the 3401/G110v2/GG6.

 

[Danube]

Marc, I believe what you (and many other peps) said about the MF system, but unfortunately I am still to buy & test it .. firstly I need to spend all my 105's, US's, SwirlX's and the like, as I'm an amateur detailer doing not more then 12 cars p/year.

:dblthumb2:

 

[flyinion]

Have you had your 7424 serviced throughout its life? If not, I think your PC will run stronger after you have the brushes replaced.

To answer your original question, it would be a toss between the G110v2, GG6 or 3401. I'd pick any of them in a heart beat.

Nope I haven't. Although to be fair to it, the unit probably saw some average use, i.e. a few hours once every couple of months or so during good weather times when I lived in Washington from around 2001/2002 whenever I got it until about early 2004. Then it saw no use until about 30 months ago when it gets used for a few hours once every 6 months on a couple of vehicles. So other than possible age degradation the brushes are probably still in pretty good shape. I think it's more just it's an old design and I'm running into the quirks/limits of the 1st gen DA's.

 

[VISITOR]

with the new backing plates for the 3401 (more versatile now that they are going to be available soon), you should be able to tackle whatever comes your way. not to mention.. the ever evolving and advanced technology with new pads/products that keep coming out. you still can't go wrong with the GG6 or G110v2 as they can accomplish quite a bit as well...

 

[5.4 Shelby]

Hey guys,

this is all true until the microfiber system from Meguiar's came along. The microfiber cutting pads just worked so great and from what I've read, they just work better with the D/A.

I failed to mention that the MF/DA system is one of the reasons I prefer my GG6 over 3401. Those pads are the bomb. They are real easy to work with, clean on the fly with compressed air and throw in the wash with other MF towels when done. Not to mention the results are fantastic.

Marc, I believe what you (and many other peps) said about the MF system, but unfortunately I am still to buy & test it .. firstly I need to spend all my 105's, US's, SwirlX's and the like, as I'm an amateur detailer doing not more then 12 cars p/year.

Danube, you can use those products with the Megs pads just fine. I like the ease of working time and wipe off of the D300/301, but you will get good results with 105/UC/Sx.

 

[rakkvet]

Here's my $.02. I love my Griots DA. I also have a Flex and a Snap On rotary machine. I'm glad I have all three of them. I think the most versatile tool I have is the DA. I consider it essential for any detail. I mean really, you can use it for minor correction, one stepping and applying a LSP.

I would look into replacing the brushes. It is probably the least expensive route and you would be amazed at the difference it will probably make.

Put some money aside and add the rotary to your arsenal later. One of the things you will find when using a rotary is that you have to "clean up" some of the work you've done. That's a perfect job for a da.

So to sum my opinion up:

DA: workhorse, best all around, multiple uses
Flex: middle of the road
Rotary: hardcore correction, specialized tool, not needed in all situations

 

[alko]

Excellent 2 cents Tim...thanks!

 

[Hoytman]

Don't forget to consider the rotary with a Dynabrade attachment...making it a DA on steroids.

This would give the feel of the heft of the rotary. The next logical step would be to remove the Dynabrade attachement and go strictly rotary.

Just another option for ya'.

 

[flyinion]

Don't forget to consider the rotary with a Dynabrade attachment...making it a DA on steroids.

This would give the feel of the heft of the rotary. The next logical step would be to remove the Dynabrade attachement and go strictly rotary.

Just another option for ya'.

Do you have a link for that? Dynabrade's website seems really hard to use and I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

 

[5.4 Shelby]

Yeah I'm thinking I may end up with the 849X myself. I literally can take the extra money and buy the set of swaybar disconnects I need for my Jeep with the savings.

I got my 849x today. IT is a beast. Makes those little DAs look and feel like toys. I was hoping to take it for a spin tonight. I might just do it to play with it. Unfortunately, the AG order did not come yet (the Dewalt came from a company they cant price match). The AG order has my wetsanding papers and smaller rotary backing plates. So, I cant do the project I intended to which was some key scratch repair. For now all I have is a 7in plate and 9 inch wool pads for it.

I should be able to do that project Friday and Saturday. The AG order should be here tomorrow. I already filled the scratches with touch up paint.