Flex 3403 review...

[Nick Chapman]

Nick Chapman's Review of the Flex 3401


I'm not much for writing reviews, but wanted to share my experience with this product.

As some of you know, I hosted a detailing class Saturday November 14th. Mike Phillips joined us, and taught the class. He brought an assortment of tools and products with him to share. While he was here I stole the Flex rotary(3403) from him for a while.

I was torn on the decision of buying one because they were so expensive(about the same as the Makita), but after buffing for a full day with it I must say that it is work every penny! The machine is no noisier than the Makita that I'm used to using. It's a TON lighter! Smaller body, which makes it easier to manage.

Only negative is the 1100rpm starting point. I thought this would be a huge issue for me, but as it turns out, it's not at all. I'm able to leave a fantastic finish at 1100rpm's, and do not have the need(yet) to go any slower.

Pro's:
Lightweight
Small Body
low noise
Easy to use

Cons:
High price tag-although about the same as the Makita
1100rpm starting point


So that's all I have to say about that. Two thumbs up for this machine! :dblthumb2:

Definitely a keeper for sure! I have retired my trusty Makita to one of my employees, and I now buff with the 3403 only.
Please ask what I didn't cover. I'm not great at writing reviews, but if you have a specific question I'd be happy to answer it.


FLEX L3403 VRG Lightweight Circular Polisher


Nick

 

[cnfowler]

Good to see you on AGO. Nice review.

For those of you who don't know who Nick Chapman is, he has a ton of knowledge and completes some of the best work you'll see in the industry. We should all look forward to learning from Nick.

Colin

 

[Meghan]

Have to agree with Nick, one of the nicest rotarys I have put my hands on. The thing I like most is the weight of it, makes it so easy to work with!

 

[Nick Chapman]

Thanks Colin! Obviously I don't have the post count, so it's nice to have someone vouch for me!

Should be posting my thoughts on the Griots DA and the Wolfgang wax here pretty soon. But I'm sure you guys already know the bennifits of these two items :xyxthumbs:

 

[RaskyR1]

Does it have a slow start like the Makita or is it more like a Dewalt?

I don't think the 1100rpm would be a big issue if you can just feather the trigger to spread the product around....which is what I currently do with the VGR3401.


Thanks for the review Nick!:dblthumb2:

 

[Nick Chapman]

I think it acts more like the Dewalt. But I tend to leave the trigger "locked on" most of the time, so that doesn't effect me too much.

 

[Harleyguy]

Not sure if you like to use a light weight rotary but if you ever have the chance to try the Light Weight flex rotary give that one a try also.When your sitting on the ground doing side panels that's when you really appreciate the light weight

 

[Nick Chapman]

Not sure if you like to use a light weight rotary but if you ever have the chance to try the Light Weight flex rotary give that one a try also.When your sitting on the ground doing side panels that's when you really appreciate the light weight

Isn't that what we're talking about?

 

[Harleyguy]

Isn't that what we're talking about?

Didn't notice the (L) infront of the 3403 .So i assumed it was the normal Flex rotary.I also hate having to keep track of part numbers when you explain a product i just call them by there name.Sorry for the misunderstanding.But anyway it is a great machine bottom line:xyxthumbs:

 

[Nick Chapman]

Didn't notice the (L) infront of the 3403 .So i assumed it was the normal Flex rotary.I also hate having to keep track of part numbers when you explain a product i just call them by there name.Sorry for the misunderstanding.But anyway it is a great machine bottom line:xyxthumbs:

Ahhh, got ya!
Just for clarification, I'm talking about the lightweight rotary that I posted a link to in the original thread. Not the DA, or any other machine :xyxthumbs:

 

[Derrick]

Ahhh, got ya!
Just for clarification, I'm talking about the lightweight rotary that I posted a link to in the original thread. Not the DA, or any other machine :xyxthumbs:

Hi Nick,
It's Derrick in Grapevine. Did you open a shop and go full time? Sorry I missed the meeting with Mike. I had to do something with my son that day and couldn't make it.

The flex rotary is a great machine. It just can't handle pads much larger that 6 inches or it will over heat.

Derrick

 

[Rsurfer]

Nick, I love my 3403 and I too have retired my Makita. I also just got the new Griots DA and you'll love that too. 3" pads for really tight areas and 4" for plastic bumpers, a winner.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hi Nick!

Very cool to see you post a review of your thoughts on the Flex Lightweight RB, once you started using it no one could have pried it out your hands as you were going to town on the front clip of that 1954 Mercedes-Benz.

Hang tight... I have a few pictures to add to this thread...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

In the "Announcement Thread" for this class here,

Detail Day at Nick's Custom Detailing - Dallas, Texas - November 14th

I described Nick a machine, once this guy gets to working you can't stop him.

Here's some pictures to prove the point...


Nick Chapman Polishing a 1956 Mercedes-Benz using a Flex 3401 Rotary Buffer

Here are some finished results, at this time there's no wax or paint sealant on the paint...

And for anyone that does a lot of buffing, a pad washer makes cleaning your pads quick and easy...

Direct Link: How The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer Works And How To Use One To Clean Foam And Wool Buffing Pads

:dblthumb2:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

The flex rotary is a great machine. It just can't handle pads much larger that 6 inches or it will over heat.

Derrick

This is correct. The body of the buffer will get very warm when using large size pads over time. For this reason if you have a large job to do, for example a serious correction job or removing sanding marks and you're using large pads, especially large wool pads, then do you work with a full size RB

But for small areas or working with smaller pads, it's really hard to beat the Flex Lightweight Rotary Buffer, especially on vertical panels due to it's lightweight.


:dblthumb2: