Advise on machine for 3" pads

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danh52

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I have a Flex 3401 on the way and would like to be able to use 3" pads for small/tight areas. What would be the best compliment machine to the flex that I could use 3" pads on? Should I go with a Griots 3" DA or something in the PC size? Keeping in mind I have a Makita rotary and the 3401 for the big areas.
 
I would go with a PC7424XP or the GG6". The GG3" is a waste...IMO My experience with it is that it had no power was extremely loud (louder than the Flex 3401) an ran very hot. I donated it to an AGO person. I have converted my PC7424XP to a 1" to 4" DA and it is awesome. The PC will run stronger with the smaller pads. If it were me....go with the PC7424XP OR the Griot Garage 6". There is a plethora amount of adapters and pads that work with both in the 1" to 4" category.
 
I agree with Kamikaz... The Porter Cable is more powerful and only a few bucks more. You can get 3" and 5" backing plates for it. Lake Country just came out with new low pro pads in 3" so those will help greatly. The only advantage to the 3" Griots is how small and light it is.
 
I'd buy the PC, and use it as a dedicated 3" machine. It can easily serve as the backup to your Flex. I have a GG6, and while I love the machine, the PC is a less expensive option. Griots also told me you can not put a 3" backing plate on the GG6....maybe they were just trying to get me to buy a 3", I don't know.
 
briarpatch said:
I'd buy the PC, and use it as a dedicated 3" machine. It can easily serve as the backup to your Flex. I have a GG6, and while I love the machine, the PC is a less expensive option. Griots also told me you can not put a 3" backing plate on the GG6....maybe they were just trying to get me to buy a 3", I don't know.
Click to expand...

:what: odd, I do it often with my gg6.
 
You could also consider the Flex PE-8 Kompakt.
You can put 3", 2" and 1" backing plates.
Although it is a rotary machine. And even though it is small, it is very powerful so you have to be careful.
 
The price is high. I had the PE 8 and I could never Master the technique of the Rotary. IMO the best balance and price would be the PC 7424 XP or the GG6. They share the same backing plates as well as pads.
 
I have my rupes 75e mini and have been pretty happy with it
Was tempted to buy the mini knockoff that optima sells to compare but eh..
 
briarpatch said:
I'd buy the PC, and use it as a dedicated 3" machine. It can easily serve as the backup to your Flex. I have a GG6, and while I love the machine, the PC is a less expensive option. Griots also told me you can not put a 3" backing plate on the GG6....maybe they were just trying to get me to buy a 3", I don't know.
Click to expand...

I tested a 3" and 3.5" BP on a GG6 and while it will work it is a rattle trap and will absolutely destroy your wrist and it is top heavy and extremely unbalanced. :buffing:
 
RangerDetails said:
You could also consider the Flex PE-8 Kompakt.
You can put 3", 2" and 1" backing plates.
Although it is a rotary machine. And even though it is small, it is very powerful so you have to be careful.
Click to expand...

You're right. I'll bet a 3" rotary can make a real mess of things in the wrong hands. A rotary does have the advantage of allowing the use of extensions; an orbital can't.

I bought a Flex 3401 and moved my PC-7424 to 3" duty. Works well.
 
I agree on the PE-8. Have one love it. If you are,comfortable with rotaries,you will like it. AG has the kit that comes with 1",2"&3" backing plates and some pads.
 
When I bought my Flex 3401, I relegated my PC 7424 to 3" pads. The PC is a joy to use w/ 3" pads.
 
I use my PC for 4' pads. I have a Rupes 75E mini and the mini knockoff for 3" pads. The only issue I have had with the knockoff is that the trigger lock can be disengaged a bit too easily when bumped.

I don't think the power cord on the knockoff is of very high quality. When it finally fails I'll swap it out with the 15' cord that I had installed on my old PC7336 which has finally kicked the bucket.
 
I have used 3 inch pads on my gg6 but I'm much happier for light to medium work using my rupes lhr75e and for more severe defects my flex pe-14 with 1,2 or 3 inch pads.

The gg6 with 3 inch pads just didn't do enough for me. Great for finish polishing or wax application though.
 
custmsprty said:
and it is top heavy and extremely unbalanced.
Click to expand...


I call this

tippy

It's when you have a full size tool or a large tool with a small buffing pad and you're buffing horizontal panels.

It's less tippy when you're buffing vertical panels because YOU are supporting the full weight and controlling the tool. When buffing horizontal panels it's natural to want to allow the weight of the tool do some of the work and if you don't firmly hold and support the tool the experience feels tippy.


My observations...


:)
 
New thin pads just in time for this thread...

NEW! 3.5" ThinPro Foam Pads! Thin is in and you're going to love these new small foam pads!


watermark.php




:dblthumb2:
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
I call this

tippy

It's when you have a full size tool or a large tool with a small buffing pad and you're buffing horizontal panels.

It's less tippy when you're buffing vertical panels because YOU are supporting the full weight and controlling the tool. When buffing horizontal panels it's natural to want to allow the weight of the tool do some of the work and if you don't firmly hold and support the tool the experience feels tippy.


My observations...


:)
Click to expand...

I guess Mike, when your using a rotary vrs. an orbital, the tippy feel is magnified with a DA. Example is the PE8 with 1" - 2" pads works great. I think you called it surgical buffing.
 
Non-orbital rotation should add some gyroscopic stabilization that a jiggly DA can never have.
 
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