Flex 3401 or FLEX XFE7-15

B5visser said:
I have the Flex trifecta (PE14, 3401 and XFE).

Personally, all three tools have their niche. That being said, I reach for the 3401 for AIO applications, where I am in a time crunch and know I can attain consistent, great results (IE production detailing). The 3401 is nothing short of a workhorse (and a workout speed 6!). Grab a stack of 5" LC hybrid pads (Orange, white and black) and a LC 4" backing plate and you're set!

From a comfort standpoint, I reach for the PE14 and XFE first. I still like cutting with the PE and would say it is still the fastest (for me) with a wool pad and M100.

At the end of the day, ANY of the tools promoted on AGO are top notch and seriously cannot go wrong with any!
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Thank you for this! This helps me a lot. I'm thinking of getting the flex for the stack of 5 inch pads I have and use my PC for a 3inch polisher. I also have the GG 3 inch polisher for tight spots, but it does get hot fast.

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Re: Flex 3401 or FLEX XFE7-15

I've used both
Stalling is not an issue when you get the hang of the long throws.

As mentioned the 3401 doesn't spin at 9600 but rather 4800 OPM..

Done similar cars both will be completed about the same time to where I wouldn't pick one over the other for speed..

Long throws are allot smoother then the 3401.

Hopefully soon I'll have a forced rotation in my hands that seems like it may just smoke the 3401 due to the rpm hike!
 
DETAILROOKIE said:
Thank you for this! This helps me a lot. I'm thinking of getting the flex for the stack of 5 inch pads I have and use my PC for a 3inch polisher. I also have the GG 3 inch polisher for tight spots, but it does get hot fast.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Autogeekonline mobile app
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I've found from personal preference that the LC hybrids work very well on both the XFE and 3401. They do have a bit more vibration on the XFE, than say, the Buff and shine Lo-pros, but keep spinning very well even on speed 4.

I did an Audi Q7 yesterday and finished with white LC Hybrids/ Force pads and used both the 3401 and XFE. I had zero stalling issues with the XFE and preferred it (comfort wise) over the 3401. It stays cooler (if you ever work the 3401 for a lengthy period the aluminum housing on the front gets pretty hot!), quieter, and is smoother (even with the LC hybrids/ Force pads).

However, if stalling is a concern, the 3401 will not stop spinning.

Hope this helps
 
Re: Flex 3401 or FLEX XFE7-15

Mike Phillips said:
Here's the big picture.... start with ONE tool and then add more.


So the question is not,

Which tool should I get?



The question is,

Which tool should I get first?


Make sense?


:)
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Lol I like the way you think!

I actually pulled the trigger on a GG BOSS G15 last night. My neighbor has one and let me try it out. I was extremely impressed with it and AG had it on sale so it was just meant to be. Thanks everyone for your input and advice.

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Re: Flex 3401 or FLEX XFE7-15

My answer when it comes to choosing between the BEAST and the FINISHER is

Start with the BEAST and then add the FINISHER to your tool arsenal.

watermark.php




Why?

Because the gear-driven aspect of the BEAST makes it more efficient for buffing out ANY shape without pad stalling. The downside is the gear-driven aspect doesn't always finish out as nice as a free spinning orbital on softer paints. I have a post on this going back to 2012.


See the question I was asked in post #31 of the below thread and my answer in post #32

Christmas Detail - Ferrari P4 - Move over Rudolf



Also recently, FrankS and I wet sanded two doors on a black Mercedes-Benz. Here's our process...

  1. Sand
  2. Cut - FLEX PE14
  3. Remover holograms - FLEX 3401
  4. Finish out - FLEX XFE7


On the black paint, using SCANGRIP lights we could see a more perfect finish when finishing out with the FLEX XFE7 over the FLEX 3401. Every paint system is different. This was fresh paint.


The bigger pictures is a coat of wax or sealant becomes the GREAT EQUALIZER in that it will shmoo over the final polishing results and fill or mask any minute defects or marring so kind of at the end of the day it doesn't matter and for this reason, for production detailing get the FLEX 3401 and a product like 3D HD Speed, a whole bunch of foam polishing pads and learn how to stay on the car and off your phone and you can buff out cars faster than any other approach in my opinion and my experience.

Then down the road add the FLEX XFE7 and some Lake Country ThinPro pads and when doing show car detailing, start with the BEAST (the FLEX 3401 and finish with the FINISHER, (the XFE7)


Two things I say about the FLEX 3401, you can quote me...


"With the FLEX 3401 you can power through any detail job"

"The FLEX 3401 will turn and churn any pad and product combo"


Just always be sure to use top shelf abrasive technology and quality pads and you'll be doing high quality professional grade work be it production detailing or show car detailing. I'll add to this last sentence in my next post.


:)
 
Re: Flex 3401 or FLEX XFE7-15

When it comes to choosing between a FLEX tool or the RUPES Tool don't look at it that way....


When choosing FLEX my recommendation has been since the beginning and is to this day, (and also in my RUPES how-to book), if you're going to go with RUPES then

GO WITH THE WHOLE RUPES SYSTEM

RUPES isn't a tool it's a system. What I tell people is to get the RUPES tool, pads and products AND BECOME AN EXPERT WITH THEM and then if you want to start expirmenting with other non-RUPES pads and no-RUPES products I say

GO FOR IT!

And if it works - good. If something is NOT working then you know how to recover. That is you have the pads and product that you know how to use so you can go back to what is a proven and working "system".


If fact... I wrote an article on this topic here,

FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips


Apples_to_Oranges_002.JPG




And in the above article I'm consistent with what I've posted here. Check it and see.




:)
 
You never know where this business can take you. You might have a steady flow of passenger cars, trucks, and suv's, then out of nowhere you get approached with a large commercial vehicle.

Not the sexiest of vehicles, but there is a LOT of money potentially sitting there. Maybe a boat? Those are pretty big too.

For this reason, I'd say the 3401.

1. The torque is unmatched by any free spinning tool.
2. Forced rotation is constant rotation.
a) Consistent cut
b) Ensured break down of diminishing abrasives.
3. You can comfortably use larger pads
4. You can use aggressive wool pads.
5. You can work a larger section.
6. You can use as much downward pressure as needed, and never bog down the tool.

Biggest detailing related regret is letting go of my 3401. It even had some sentimental value, but more than that it is something I realize that I need in my tool chest.
 
Rupes works amazingly well with other than Rupes polishes and pads, there is none reason to limit stuff like that. Meguairs, Buff and Shine and Lake Country microfiber pads are superiour compared to Rupes mf pads. Rupes polishes are great but so are many others. Only Rupes pads i like are yellow and white.
 
Re: Flex 3401 or FLEX XFE7-15

Joel1979 said:
Rupes works amazingly well with other than Rupes polishes and pads, there is none reason to limit stuff like that.
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I agree but as someone that represents RUPES for Autogeek and in all my car and boat detailing classes, as well as having a-long time background representing various companies, I know companies like it when you stay on their message. RUPES designed a "system" ask any RUPES employee and I'm pretty sure they'll agree. Their pads are engineered to work with their backing plates. Their backing plates are engineered to work with their tools and their compounds and polishes are formulated to work with the pads and the tools.

They also make multiple tools with the idea being you start with one and then add more to your collection. This way you can pick the tool and the pad size to match the specific panel you're buffing.

It's actually a very well-thought out system and probably the most complete system on the market.



So what I say is if a person is going to go RUPES the START with the RUPES system, not just a RUPES tool. Then after you get hours of experience using the RUPES system you'll have the confidence and experience to experiment with other products.

I'm also the guy that discovered this little gem and included in my RUPES how-to book and also shared it with RUPES.

The Air Test - Using NON RUPES pads on RUPES Polishers by Mike Phillips

The Air Test

In this picture, this RUPES BigFoot 21 is running on the 6.0 speed setting and is vibration free.

watermark.php




I came up with a simple test ANYONE can do to test if a non-RUPES buffing pad is compatable with a RUPES polisher.

The RUPES engineers designed their pads specific to the RUPES tools and backing plates for the intended purpose of reducing and eliminating vibration. This means the size, shape, thickness and weight of the pads are such that when attached to the matching RUPES backing plate and RUPES tool there is zero or very little vibration.


The Air Test
First - Hold a RUPES polisher in the air without a foam buffing pad attached to the backing plate in the [ON] position on speed 6. You will feel the tool vibrating.

Second - Attach the correct size RUPES pad for the backing plate and matching RUPES tool and repeat the above. That is hold the tool in the air in the [ON] position on speed 6. You will feel no vibration and a very smooth operating tool.​

Now after doing the above you know what vibration feels like with no pad and what zero vibration feels like with the RUPES engineered pad.



Testing non-RUPES pads for vibration

To test a non-RUPES pad for vibration and compatability, repeat the test with the pad you're thinking of using and see if there is any vibration.



  • If no vibration, your choice, use or don't use the pad.




  • If you feel vibration you will know it's the pad, not the tool.



Engineered for no vibration

I've done my research and real world testing and what I've experienced is that what RUPES states is true and that is they engineered their pads, backing plates and tools to work together to eliminate vibration.


It doesn't matter to me what pad anyone uses on any tool I just wanted to point out that when RUPES states their pads, backing plates and tools are engineered to work together to eliminate vibration they mean it.


I've always been what I call a systems guy that is given the choice I prefer to use a system approach versus mixing and matching products, pads and tools from multiple brands.

I'm not saying mixing and matching doesn't work but I think you hedge your bet when you stay inside a system designed by the same company. I also know it's the nature of the beast for people to want to experiement and use pads other non-RUPES pads or pads they already own on their RUPES polishers. The Air Test will tell you real fast if a pad is compatible.




On Autogeek.com


RUPES Color Matched 7" Foam Buffing Pads

RUPES Color Matched 6" Foam Buffing Pads

RUPES Color Matched 4" Foam Buffing Pads



:)
 
Re: Flex 3401 or FLEX XFE7-15

Yeah its a good system and i understand your point :)
 
I been wanting to upgrade too, the Flex 3401 cought my eye as well. My biggest regret is getting the Torq FX since it tends to heat up and I do not feel the power as much as the PC 7424. Have to admit that the 7424 does hold a special place in me sine its always in the battle field with me like a Trojan!
 
aztec1987 said:
I been wanting to upgrade too, the Flex 3401 cought my eye as well. My biggest regret is getting the Torq FX since it tends to heat up and I do not feel the power as much as the PC 7424. Have to admit that the 7424 does hold a special place in me sine its always in the battle field with me like a Trojan!
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I'm with ya there. The PC will always be the first tool I grab. I have 2 XP'S, and 3 1st gen. The counterweight for the 6" seems to give the drive mechanism a little more "push" as it spins the spindle. Just seems a little more robust.
 
Love the idea about the finisher. But would be another alternative for a finisher? I have two flex 3401 and if I was looking to go cheaper what would any of you recommend? I am more of a part time weekend warrior doing one if not 2 cars a weekend. Thank you in advance.


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kaliagent2001 said:
Love the idea about the finisher. But would be another alternative for a finisher? I have two flex 3401 and if I was looking to go cheaper what would any of you recommend? I am more of a part time weekend warrior doing one if not 2 cars a weekend. Thank you in advance.


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Gg6
Porter Cable
G15/21
Rupes 15/21


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All groits Polishers have lifetime warranty

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