Flex 3401 5.5" BP with LC 5.5" pads

[tuscarora dave]

Actually it's end of February ..

Thanks, I was pretty sure when I ordered my Flex club kit, the date for the release of this backing plate package was the end of January. Either I misread the date or they changed it. Either way, Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Can anyone from ag comment on this as well, please!

I would never use my Flex 3401 with 4" pads. It is just too big and heavy for doing small delicate areas.

Don't really have a lot of time for posting to the forum today as I'm setting up for the Boot Camp Class where people will have a chance to use the Flex with the new 4" Backing Plate.

As for the 4" pads... one thing I try to do on our Thursday Night project cars is take "pictures" showing tools in use...


From this thread,


1969 Camaro Pace Car - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Michelle


This is you're truly using a 4" PFW pad on a 4" backing plate on the Flex 3401

While they tackled the hood I knocked out the panel in front of the hood and some of the tops of the fenders...

From this thread,

1986 Buick Regal T-Type Turbo


The prototypes for the new backing plates and adapter had just arrived so I put them to use...


Here's a few new toys we'll get to play with today...

The new 6" and 4" backing plates for the Flex 3401

Using a 4" Tangerine Hydro-Tech Polishing pad to get close to the hood ornamnet...

That's it for me on the forum today... have to set up for the class tomorrow... here's a sample of what the students will get to practice on with extractores...

:xyxthumbs:

 

[Danube]

Mike, hopefully the Boot Camp Class went well.

Back to original question, what is your opinion on the new 4" BP for 3401 regarding the pad/BP size?

What pads are recommended for this BP as 4" pads seems to risky, 5.5" pads are too big.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Danube]

Thanks Mike, I was hoping you may provide your view on the above, but obviously not (?!).

I've extensively tested the LC 5.5" Flat pads on a car yesterday. It was a yellow pad, and woow .. Flex has so much power and cutting ability with this pad. I was amazed.

Also this LC pads seems way better then any megs pad I've used in the past.

There was not much room for errors as the BP was the same size as the pad, so I had to be careful (as advised by Dave), but overall the performance was excellent. BTW I've used the UC in the process.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thanks Mike, I was hoping you may provide your view on the above, but obviously not (?!).

If I don't reply to a follow-up question on any thread it's almost for certain because I have not seen the follow up post.

I can't subscribe to every thread I start or every thread I post to as my e-mail in-box would fill up everyday. Besides that I'm often busy with offline projects, I try to get on the forum in the morning and a little throughout each day. If you see me as "online" it's because I'm logged in but often time working on other projects.


Now to your above question...

Back to original question, what is your opinion on the new 4" BP for 3401 regarding the pad/BP size?

What pads are recommended for this BP as 4" pads seems to risky, 5.5" pads are too big.


Thanks in advance.

My opinion is that it makes the Flex 3401 even more versatile because now you can use the safe power the tool offers on smaller, thinner panels without buffing on top of a raised body line or an edge.

The design of the tool, specifically the metal housing or shroud surrounding the gear drive is not in my control nor Autogeek's. It's larger than 4" so anytime you're buffing and using 4" pads you'll need to be careful and focus on the task at hand so that you don't run the housing into a wing, or hood scoop or anything else that projects outward from the body in such a way as to pose a risk.

Luckily, there's not that many body styles or components on modern cars where this will be an issue.


Each person can decide for themselves if 4" pads on the Flex 3401 are a good option for themselves, their needs and their skill level.

As for me I use the 4" pads on the Flex 3401 all the time. In fact right now as I type this there are two Flex 3401 polishers fitted with 4" backing plates in the studio ready to go to work.

I've extensively tested the LC 5.5" Flat pads on a car yesterday. It was a yellow pad, and woow .. Flex has so much power and cutting ability with this pad. I was amazed.

There was not much room for errors as the BP was the same size as the pad, so I had to be careful (as advised by Dave), but overall the performance was excellent. BTW I've used the UC in the process.

I too like 5.5" pads on the Flex 3401. With the new Flex Adapter and Backing Plates a person can now match the pad to their comfort level and the panel they are working on.

FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System

And the 4 3/8" Backing Plates for 5" and 5.5" pads

FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate

:xyxthumbs: