Buffers and vibration

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jayjones

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Hi all,

I've been using the flex 3401 and need a little help.

I started detailing about 6 months ago and buff a car at least once or twice a week. I have since developed trigger finger in my right pinky. I think all the vibration from the buffer has started to mess my hand up. I don't want to quit detailing but I'm going to have to get surgery on my hand at the end of the month.

I also have the pe-14 which doesn't seem to vibrate nearly as much but I am inexperienced with the rotary. Are there any random orbitals or dual actions like the flex but DO NOT vibrate as much? I don't want to have the same problem after surgery.

Thanks!
 
Flex 3402 and vibrations

Hi all,

I've been using the flex 3401 and need a little help.

I started detailing about 6 months ago and buff a car at least once or twice a week. I have since developed trigger finger in my right pinky. I think all the vibration from the buffer has started to mess my hand up. I don't want to quit detailing but I'm going to have to get surgery on my hand at the end of the month.

I also have the pe-14 which doesn't seem to vibrate nearly as much but I am inexperienced with the rotary. Are there any random orbitals or dual actions like the flex but DO NOT vibrate as much? I don't want to have the same problem after surgery.

Thanks!
 
All of the long throw polishers like the Rupes 15 and 21 and the Griots Garage G15 and G21 are very low vibration machines and you apply little to no pressure when using them and they are very effective machines. However, they are not forced rotation like the Flex.

While I don't own a Flex I've read that using it with the Pink LC pad helps.
 
Re: Flex 3402 and vibrations

Not direct drive, but the smoothest DA available is the Rupes LHR 15ES BigFoot.
 
Is there any area on this forum I could sell my flex? Ive owned it maybe a month.
 
Makita Bo6040 Polisher

Cyclo Orbital Polisher - The Cyclo Dual Head Polisher

_____________________________________________

Some helpful hints:

1.) Wear Anti-vibration Gloves

2.) Take Regular Breaks:
-a 10-15 minute break every hour will allow time for
hands/arms/back/etc. to recover some throughout the day.

3.) Keep Hands Warm and Dry:
-Cold temperatures can exacerbate symptoms

4.) Use a Lighter Grip:
-this helps limit the amount of vibration
transmitted from the tool to the hand.

5.) Polishers:
-Worn/Older tools may vibrate more because
rotating parts become unbalanced. Keep them
properly serviced. Replace when necessary.
____________________________________________


Bob
 
jayjones said:
Is there any area on this forum I could sell my flex? Ive owned it maybe a month.
Click to expand...

I think you can sell products on Autopia. Not sure of that. The vibration from the Flex isn't as bad as some, but there is vibration. I've got a G21 that is very smooth. With that being said...polishing 6-8 cars with the Flex caused this? Or is that on top of using other machines with bad vibration?
 
Ive probably done 20-30 full paint corrections since I started. Is the g21 much smoother than the flex, like would I notice a huge different in buying it? I started out with the porter cable 7424 for a few months, I'm sure that one didn't help either.
 
FUNX650 said:
Makita Bo6040 Polisher

Cyclo Orbital Polisher - The Cyclo Dual Head Polisher

_____________________________________________

Some helpful hints:

1.) Wear Anti-vibration Gloves

2.) Take Regular Breaks:
-a 10-15 minute break every hour will allow time for
hands/arms/back/etc. to recover some throughout the day.

3.) Keep Hands Warm and Dry:
-Cold temperatures can exacerbate symptoms

4.) Use a Lighter Grip:
-this helps limit the amount of vibration
transmitted from the tool to the hand.

5.) Polishers:
-Worn/Older tools may vibrate more because
rotating parts become unbalanced. Keep them
properly serviced. Replace when necessary.
____________________________________________


Bob
Click to expand...


I'll keep all of these in mind. Weather has been warm and polishers are new. I usually don't take a break until lunch and when I'm finished and possibly I should use a lighter grip.

Hard to believe problems developed so quick though.
 
I have a buddy who has all of the rupes products, and all I can say is wow on the rupes vibration compared to the flex. Its like night and day. The rupes 15 was very slow where as the flex vibrated a lot. Can I expect the rupes to correct just as good as the flex?
 
jayjones said:
I have a buddy who has all of the rupes products, and all I can say is wow on the rupes vibration compared to the flex. Its like night and day. The rupes 15 was very slow where as the flex vibrated a lot. Can I expect the rupes to correct just as good as the flex?
Click to expand...

I absolutely prefer my Rupes 21 with a 5 inch backing plate over a 3401 any day when doing heavy correction
 
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