Buying the Flex or the PC?

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maronha

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Hello,
been lurking on AG for a while and am ready to pull the trigger on a buffer kit. I am debating between getting the FLEX 3401 or the PC7424XP.(the wife said either is ok!!)

Are there any reasons a novice should not buy the Flex as opposed to the PC which seems to be what lots of people go for and well maybe its the cost that turns one to the PC. I do understand that one is just orbital and the other combines both orbital and rotary. Is the learning curve between the 2 of them really big?

I am someone who will save and spend a little extra on the tools I buy if I think they offer me a little better quality.

Use of this will probably be just for my personal cars, but who know I may end up doing friends also after they see mine all cleaned up. I have know problems using other power equipment with success so I am confident even though I have never really used buffer's that I would be able to adjust to either the Flex or the PC.
I could put the savings from the Flex into a better PC kit that offers more now or I can just get the Flex and build up the extras as needed.

I am sure my mind is made up already so If your me and you have the extra to spend do you just get the FLEX?

Mark
 
I'm no expert, but if you're a newbie then I'd start with the PC and work my way up to the Flex. Lets see if someone more experience then I chimes in though.
 
this has been covered many times. IMO and i've said it many times before, every detailer/enthusiast should own at least one DA like the PCXP, G110v2, GG6, etc. get one of those now, and you can always pick up a flex or rotary later down the line...
 
maronha said:
Hello,
been lurking on AG for a while and am ready to pull the trigger on a buffer kit. I am debating between getting the FLEX 3401 or the PC7424XP.(the wife said either is ok!!)

Are there any reasons a novice should not buy the Flex as opposed to the PC which seems to be what lots of people go for and well maybe its the cost that turns one to the PC. I do understand that one is just orbital and the other combines both orbital and rotary. Is the learning curve between the 2 of them really big?

I am someone who will save and spend a little extra on the tools I buy if I think they offer me a little better quality.

Use of this will probably be just for my personal cars, but who know I may end up doing friends also after they see mine all cleaned up. I have know problems using other power equipment with success so I am confident even though I have never really used buffer's that I would be able to adjust to either the Flex or the PC.
I could put the savings from the Flex into a better PC kit that offers more now or I can just get the Flex and build up the extras as needed.

I am sure my mind is made up already so If your me and you have the extra to spend do you just get the FLEX?

Mark
Click to expand...

First off, :welcome: to the forum!

As far as the two, you need to determine what you are going to do with the tool. How badly swirled are your vehicles? How many vehicles are you going to detail a year?

I love my Flex and would never talk anyone out of one. However, if you are only going to do your own vehicle or two a year it may be over kill. If you are in business, you are eventually probably going to want both. If you are going to end up doing friends/family members cars, the time savings with the Flex will pay off.

The Flex works quicker then the PCXP and is very comfortable in my hands.

The PCXP or the Griots would well, are cheaper so you can afford more pads AND most importantly you can run smaller pads and backing plates that are not currently available on the Flex.

You can't go wrong with either choice, just determine what you are going to do with the machine. From personal experience, don't agonize over the decision just make it and go start :buffing: !!!
 
I say go ahead and go for the best: the Flex.

The learning curve really isn't much more difficult than the PC. If you buy the PC, you will be more likely to regret that purchase than the other way around imo. Get the best right off the bat!

Besides, you already have the wife's approval for the flex *now*. Will she approve later if you already bought a PC?
 
maronha said:
Hello,
been lurking on AG for a while and am ready to pull the trigger on a buffer kit. I am debating between getting the FLEX 3401 or the PC7424XP.(the wife said either is ok!!)

Are there any reasons a novice should not buy the Flex as opposed to the PC which seems to be what lots of people go for and well maybe its the cost that turns one to the PC. I do understand that one is just orbital and the other combines both orbital and rotary. Is the learning curve between the 2 of them really big?

I am someone who will save and spend a little extra on the tools I buy if I think they offer me a little better quality.

Use of this will probably be just for my personal cars, but who know I may end up doing friends also after they see mine all cleaned up. I have know problems using other power equipment with success so I am confident even though I have never really used buffer's that I would be able to adjust to either the Flex or the PC.
I could put the savings from the Flex into a better PC kit that offers more now or I can just get the Flex and build up the extras as needed.

I am sure my mind is made up already so If your me and you have the extra to spend do you just get the FLEX?

Mark
Click to expand...
you're doing something right. i bought the pc to start with earlier this season and i'm already thinking about the upgrade. the pc is great but i just like new toys.:buffing:
 
Most PC users want to upgrade within a year ... do yourself a favor spend a little more and get the Flex first.
 
Ive never used a rotary or DA in my life !

As none are available here in India, ive ordered the Flex from AG & its just landed !

From the reviews ive read, once you use a Flex, there's no going back :dblthumb2:
 
nirmaljusdoit said:
Ive never used a rotary or DA in my life !

As none are available here in India, ive ordered the Flex from AG & its just landed !

From the reviews ive read, once you use a Flex, there's no going back :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

INDIA :dunno:
Is there not too much desert (sand) to detail anything?
 
Moz - The desert is primarily in the western regions of India (Rajasthan state) where there is a lot of sand ! (Google it)

The other regions of our country have a tropical climate, of course the conditions are challenging with heavy rainfall (June ~ Oct) & a harsh summer (Mar ~ June)
Other than that we have to handle loads of dust & terrible road conditions in most of our cities :(

I stay in Bangalore city located in the south of India, which has a mix of the climate above & is regarded to be having better climatic conditions than most of the country !

I will be posting the results of my 1st AG consignment in a separate thread soon !
 
If Mr. Miyagi were here.. he would say "Flex On, Flex off !'' ;)



*for those that don't know = Mr. Miyagi from karate kid..
 

Pat-Morita_%28Karate_Kid%29.jpg




 
nirmaljusdoit said:
From the reviews ive read, once you use a Flex, there's no going back :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...
Actually, I just ordered a PCXP and I've had the Flex 3401 for a long time. It's really annoying with the Flex 3401 that you can't use smaller than 6.5" pads. With the new surbuf pads, non-diminishing abrasives polishes, and closed cell foam pads, the newer designed DA's have really closed the gap between the Flex 3401.
 
Get them both. Get the big $ out of the way and get the Flex. Then come back and get the PC. You will find good uses for both and wont be sorry you owned either one. The pads are interchangeable between them as they can share the same size backing plate. You can also get smaller backing plates and pads for accessing tighter areas with the PC. BOTH!! you wont regret.
 
^+1

Add to that if you ever want to wet or damp sand you will need the something like the PC.

To the OP, if you want only one multiuse tool to use from now on, the PC. If you like havng specific tools for specific needs, and don't mind the slight expense, get the flex now and the PC when you need to gain more options.
 
Well I got the FLEX kit today and boy was I suprised!! I don't even want to put it down!! The best part is the extras I got with it. I must THANK AG for those. I got the poorboys SSR2.5 x 2 and Detail inmage rinseless wash and gloss. I really have never been so anxious to clean the car!!
 
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