Flex 3401 or XFE?

K

klix58

New member
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
104
Reaction score
0
Looking to upgrade from my GG6 and am curious as to which of the 2 are recommended for more of a hobbyist on my daily vehicle. With either I would ad a smaller backing plate for 5.5" pads and keep the GG6 and 3" backing plate and pads. Can anyone identify the value of one over the other or are the unique in their design.
Thanks
 
consider adding the G21 since you already have the GG6. you can use 3.5"- 4" pads with the GG6 for smaller/tighter areas and the G21 for the larger ones...

autogeek_2269_27859469

+
griots-garage-boss-g21-long-throw-orbital-polisher-1.gif

= :dblthumb2:
 
Looked at this one as well and had the opportunity to try one at Barrett Jackson back in January.
 
The Flex 3401 is a forced rotation so it does not get bogged down. It makes polishing significantly easier.


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
 
klix58 said:
Looking to upgrade from my GG6 and am curious as to which of the 2 are recommended for more of a hobbyist on my daily vehicle. With either I would ad a smaller backing plate for 5.5" pads and keep the GG6 and 3" backing plate and pads. Can anyone identify the value of one over the other or are the unique in their design.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I think if you are only going to get 1 get the flex 3401. You can use it for everything. I have a g15 that I love but it is hard to use on curved panels. I just end up using the flex most of the time. You can use it for flat panels, curved panels, and waxing. the g15 or longthrows are not really for doing all that stuff. you can do it all but its easier with the flex.

Get the 3401 with the 4 3/8" backing plate and 2 sets of the 5.5" force flex pads. Thats what I would get if I was you
 
VISITOR said:
consider adding the G21 since you already have the GG6. you can use 3.5"- 4" pads with the GG6 for smaller/tighter areas and the G21 for the larger ones...

autogeek_2269_27859469

+
griots-garage-boss-g21-long-throw-orbital-polisher-1.gif

= :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

The g21 is only recommended for professionals. thats right from the company.
 
klix58 said:
Curios as to the G21 for professionals but not the FLEX? And "flightnews" are you identifying the following?
FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate, FLEX
Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish 5 Inch Foam Pads
Thanks
Click to expand...

there are many here that own the BOSS polishers that aren't professionals and it's a polisher that is recommended with someone who has experience (and common sense) in which over time you will get since you already own the GG6. the difference is the GG6 has a 8mm orbit and the G21 has a 21mm orbit so caution needs to be taken since it's orbit is almost 3X the size. as with any free spinning polisher they will stall on curved panels (though the GG6/BOSS polishers have plenty of torque/power) sometimes so as mike says, "let the panel be your guide". since you already own the GG6, the G15/21 would be a great addition IMO. if you feel that you would like a polisher that doesn't stall (if you have a problem with that), the flex (8mm orbit) would be a good choice because of the gear driven/forced rotation. no wrong choice really as both companies (GG/Flex) sell high quality products and back them...

 
Thanks for the continued feedback. For my understanding then, the FLEX 3401 is an 8mm through and gear driven? then the XFE is not gear driven and a slightly longer stroke, correct? As mentioned I tried a G21 at Barrett Jackson and although a limited sample of what it can do I felt very smooth.
 
klix58 said:
Thanks for the continued feedback. For my understanding then, the FLEX 3401 is an 8mm through and gear driven? then the XFE is not gear driven and a slightly longer stroke, correct? As mentioned I tried a G21 at Barrett Jackson and although a limited sample of what it can do I felt very smooth.
Click to expand...

That's correct.
 
Eldorado2k said:
That's correct.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the clarification. In reading in the FLEX forum and G21 Forum it looks as though the long throw can stall on curves as opposed to the gear driven. I have a 16' Jetta not too many curves I'm leaning towards the XFE but would add the 5" backing plate and pads as I have the 5" on my GG6.
 
klix58 said:
Thanks for the clarification. In reading in the FLEX forum and G21 Forum it looks as though the long throw can stall on curves as opposed to the gear driven. I have a 16' Jetta not too many curves I'm leaning towards the XFE but would add the 5" backing plate and pads as I have the 5" on my GG6.
Click to expand...

Or you could go with the G15 since it comes with a 5" backing plate to fit your current pads.
 
Eldorado2k said:
That's completely not true.^
Click to expand...

yeh, pretty sure they just recommended G21 for bodyshop and G15 for detailers..
either way same tool bigger stroke..
my logic has always been get biggest stroke for more coverage...what the 21mm wouldn't fit, the 15mm really wouldn't either....so get a nice 3in setup for those areas!
 
Now if only we as members could apply the discounts to polishers...................
 
klix58 said:
How so? buy a gift cert at a discount then buy the machine?
Click to expand...

Yes! They are on sale several times a year,$1000 card for $750 = 25% off,then order your machine. Usually on sale at Xmas time for sure & im not sure when otherwise. I thought Memorial Day was another time but haven't seen it yet this weekend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top