Is flex 3401 better then the griots da.

68bowtie said:
I have a griots da and have been doing more cars and was wondering if its worth it to move up to the flex3401.
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Not everyone can attend one of my Boot Camp Classes but those that do get to use all the different tools to usually buff out something "cool" and by the end of the weekend you have a good feel for which tools you like best and are best for you. Just throwing that out there...


The subject of your post is,

68bowtie said:
Is flex 3401 better then the griots da.
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The word "better" can be very subjective as you can probably see by some of the replies in this thread by people very passionate about their opinion, which is the norm for detailing discussion forums.

I wouldn't use the word better but instead would say the Flex 3401 is very different from the Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Polish or any of the other popular DA Polishers like the Porter Cable, Megs and Shurhold.

Each one of these tools can be used to create a swirl-free, show car finish when used with good pads, products and techniques.

The key benefits to the Flex 3401 is,

  • Forced Rotation, Dual Action Drive Mechanism = Zero Slippage under use = You can potentially get the job done faster because of the no slippage feature, which also means you can tackle a larger work size area.

  • Professional Grade Tool - High quality construction designed for constant use in a detail shop.

  • Power without the risk of burning through the paint or inflicting swirls like a rotary buffer.


The above are the three primary benefits and differences between the Flex and the PC style polishers.

My opinion is the Flex 3401 works best the the widest range of people when outfitted with 5" pads as it does make the tool the easiest to control. The forced rotation characteristic can have a "walking" effect if you don't hold the pad flat to the surface, thus the tool is self-teaching because it teaches you to hold the pad flat.


In case you, or anyone reading this thread into the future hasn't seen it yet, here's a video showing the differences between the three popular tools with different drive mechanism...

Video: All about the FLEX-3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher


All about the FLEX-3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher
[video=youtube_share;EAmojb8XIuk&hd=1"]All about the FLEX-3401 Forced Rotation Dual...[/video]​


Hope the above helps...


:)
 
Thanks for all the advice. I have new 5.5 pads getting here tomorrow so i'll try those first and see if i like this size better then the 6.5. I think i'm going to wait till AG has another sale that includes polishers.
 
68bowtie said:
Thanks for all the advice. I have new 5.5 pads getting here tomorrow so i'll try those first and see if i like this size better then the 6.5. I think i'm going to wait till AG has another sale that includes polishers.
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I think you are going to notice a big difference with the smaller pads.
 
I think if AG will meet adams 15% off on the flex i'm going to order one.
 
68bowtie said:
I think if AG will meet adams 15% off on the flex i'm going to order one.
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Yeah, the Flex is an awesome machine when used properly. I doubt that you'll be disappointed. I like that it easily works with 6.5" pads. Cuts my polishing time considerably.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Not everyone can attend one of my Boot Camp Classes but those that do get to use all the different tools to usually buff out something "cool" and by the end of the weekend you have a good feel for which tools you like best and are best for you. Just throwing that out there...
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I think Mike may have just sold me on the FLEX. :xyxthumbs:

I need a trip home to PSL around the time of an AG Boot Camp to test drive these DA or Rotary’s.

It's time to retire and upgrade the Waxmaster W109 and join the big boy club! Now that I’ve started my side business up and have been catching up on the latest products and techniques from my hiatus. I need to start working smarter not harder when it comes to paint correction.
 
I think Mike nailed it on the head by saying
The word "better" can be very subjective
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I owned my Flex 3401 for over a year before I sold it. It simply offered me nothing that I couldn't already do with my rotaries and DA's and it just sat on my shelf for the last 6 months or so before someone showed interest in buying it. IMO your money would be better spent on the Flex PE14 rotary before the 3401. With the right pads, product, and technique, the GG6 can match the correction speed of the 3401 on most any paint. For those super hard clears where it's not cutting it, that's when the big boys come out to play. ;)


Just my $.02
 
Just ordered my new flex got it for 271 dollars
 
Thanks I should have it sat. I'm looking forward to getting it, I have a few fine scratches I want to get out. I just got the smaller backing plate and pads for my griots polisher and they couldn't get them out so I hope the flex can with the extra power. Otherwise I'll have to have my cousin use the rotory.
 
Just bought the Flex 3401 VRG a few weeks ago. It's been doing a fine job. Gets very, very hot, but it performs well. To my dismay, just a couple weeks after I bought mine, a new 3401 VRG "HD" was released with some improvements and a longer cord (not sure what the improvements are). FLEX XC 3401 VRG HD Orbital Polisher, FLEX buffer, car polisher

On top of that, the long awaited Flex DVD is out How To Properly Use Flex Polishers DVD, machine polishing dvd, flex polisher dvd, which now of course comes free with their buffers, but it's $13 since I already received my buffer, ARRGGGHHHHHH.
 
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