habeba86
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- Aug 21, 2010
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Mine was supposed to be updated also tho....I jst out my own cord in it. No never messed with the brushes.
Meguires g110v2
- Thread starter DaveT435
- Start date
Mine was supposed to be updated also tho....I jst out my own cord in it. No never messed with the brushes.
DaveT435
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- Jun 23, 2012
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- #22
Hopefully you won't have to for a LONG time. I wish I could tell you a way to do it without breaking that tiny threaded piece. That piece is so small and exposed to so much heatover time I'm sure it gets even more brittle the longer it's used.
VISITOR
Active member
- May 10, 2007
- 9,859
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like anything else man made, nothing is perfect (ALL the DA's have had issues) and there will be problems here and there. 3D/HD will make the situation right if there's any problems with their DA and i'm sure they are looking into the matter right now, just give them some time...
rops:
SRTSean
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- Jun 8, 2011
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The Megs DA is total junk. I had mine replaced twice under warranty for the power cord defect. Now I have one with a seemingly okay cord, but have had other issues come up. First, the screws that secure the metal cover for the main bearing backed out after one use. They weren't even the right size. I had to tap the holes and use larger screws. Yesterday I went to use it again and halfway thru a job the screws which hold the counterweight in place all completely backed out (couldn't find where they flew off to), rendering the thing useless. Typical made in China garbage. As soon as I get some extra cash, Flex, here I come!
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richy
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- Mar 27, 2007
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Isn't there some compatibility problems with the Flex? I thought I read that it takes its own backing plates and rotates strangely as well. My UDM bit the dust (armature is shot) so I want a backup DA. I've just got my Megs one now, and after reading all of this, I'm nervous about it lasting. I would get a Flex (without all the kit) but I want one that is both powerful AND reliable. What DA meets that requirement???
Rsurfer
Well-known member
- Jan 26, 2007
- 14,159
- 26
Richy, I'm in shock. I thought you were using the Flex 3401 all this time. Since you don't have one, get one. Yes it does use a special backing plate and it does rotate in a counter clock direction, but so what. It is a well built machine.
tuscarora dave
Active member
- Aug 21, 2009
- 5,408
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As much polishing as you do Richy, you really should have a 3401. It definitely fits the bill for durable and it's power can't be slowed at all. I'd have a good quality cord available to replace the G110V2 cord with. It will eventually go out on you. You might as well do the replacement before it lets you sit. This might help with it. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...110v2-cord-replacement-tutorial-w-photos.html
Yeah, that surprised me too. I think Mark is the only person that I've read that hates it. It is a quality machine that has it's own unique action and takes a little getting used to but it rocks at correcting paint and there are a few different size backing plates for it now.
Mike Phillips
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- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
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I agree.
Last Thursday we used the new 5" Hybrid pads on the 4" backing plate. One guy, his name is Adam, this was the FIRST time he's ever buffed out a car using a machine and he tried the Griot's polisher and liked it but gravitated towards the Flex 3401 after using both.
For his first time, he did pretty good, he also buffed out the majority of the swirls and then polished the paint to a high gloss.
Not bad for a newbie...
Video and Pictures: 1968 Firebird Detailing Class at AutogeekOnline.net
New 5" pads for 4" Backing Plate on Flex 3401
5" Hybrid Pads for the 4" backing plate on the Flex 3401!
:xyxthumbs:
DaveT435
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- Jun 23, 2012
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- #29
I would love to have the flex...and if I were going to use a machine more I would get one, but with the limited use this thing is going to get I just can't justify the cost difference. I watched a lot of the broadcast Thursday.
Mike you use these things as much as anyone. Which do you like better the PC or the Griot's?
Mike Phillips
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- Dec 5, 2022
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For the type of correction work I use the PC style DA Polishers for it doesn't really matter. They all will get the job done when used correctly.
For heavy cutting without losing time a rotary buffer or the Flex is the way to go...
DaveT435
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- Jun 23, 2012
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- #31
Thanks...the only bad thing about the PC was vibration. I noticed that vibration varied from machine to machine with the Meg. may be the case with the PC as well. If I do end up doing a lot more detailing I will end up going with the flex. The 3401 is direct drive...right? I did like the fact that it doesn't slow down or stop. Guess I'll have to think on this for a few...
Mike Phillips
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- Dec 5, 2022
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I think I'm the only guy on earth that either doesn't pay attention to the vibration or it just doesn't bother me because I never think about it...
And yes, the Flex 3401 is a direct drive, gear driven tool.
I've been to the Flex manufacturing plant in Germany and have seen them assembled first-hand, top notch organization and top notch quality.
Germany Flex Plant Tour Pictures
This is Heinrich who is in charge of assembly the gear heads into the head casing...
This is where the machined, heat treaded drive gear will install into...
Before installing the gear Heinrich adds a lubricating grease which is prevented from leaking out by seals...
Time to install the machine screws to assemble the finished product...
After each Flex PE14 is assembled it is then ran on a testing machine for a specified amount of time where all the components and circuitry is measured and tested. I think Heinrich was amused by our interest in his work...
:buffing:
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
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No. If a person did break the gears they were probably using the Flex like a sledge hammer, not a polisher.
:laughing:
WRAPT C5Z06
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- Nov 12, 2009
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I think this makes a big difference in terms of control.
WRAPT C5Z06
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- Nov 12, 2009
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1 out of 3 HD DA's I tried was good! Then, another guy posted about the same problem I experienced. I'd say the odds are pretty high that you could find yourself with a bad one. I mean, there is a NIGHT AND DAY difference between the 1 good one and 2 bad ones I tried.like anything else man made, nothing is perfect (ALL the DA's have had issues) and there will be problems here and there. 3D/HD will make the situation right if there's any problems with their DA and i'm sure they are looking into the matter right now, just give them some time...
Mike Phillips
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- Dec 5, 2022
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I spoke with Bob Eichelberg about this and he said that's pretty much standard for tools. Also, in a real world situation where a professional is using any tool, 5, 6, 7 days a week, it's going to wear out.
I year is fair for a high quality, reputable tool.
If it breaks within the first year, it's under warranty. If it breaks after the first year, you're likely getting your money's worth of value from the tool.
DaveT435
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- Jun 23, 2012
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Thanks for the input. Those aren't very good numbers. IMO a any manufactured product is going to have a percentage of bad ones. Personally I think 2-3% would be acceptable...again my opinion. When you start talking about 66% bad I think I'll pass. I think it's the PC. I've heard it's the most durable...haven't heard anything negative except the vibration. I can't polish a whole car at once anyway so that isn't an issue.
I would love to have the flex but I'm not sure how much I'm going to use this yet so I can't really justify the cost. If it turns out I use it a lot I'll upgrade. In the pics Mike sent it looks like it uses rotary style backing plates...is that right??