Flex PE14-2-15 for Heav duty boat use !

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Big boys toys

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I"m on the edge and about to acquire the new flex Rotary Buffer.
My question to you all, do you think it will stand up and last all day long compounding a boat? I have burned out two black and deckers one AEG German machine no longer available and Im in the process of working my Makita 9227C to death.
Boats are really tough especially when the gelcoat starts oxidizing.
You have to cut each area three or four times to get it back.
I"m looking for an opinion from someone who puts their buffer through the worst conditions.
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Brian " Big Boys Toys "
 
If you burn out a DeWalt there is no hope for you.
 
My 9227 sees about 5-7 boats a week with mostly one step gel cleaners with a big 7.5" polishing pad on speed 3 and while I might get some head warmth, that's about it
Im sure you will be fine
 
I've had my milwaukee almost 15 years with countless use and it still works even after backing over it with a nissan murano lol, but I will say the lighter weight flex has been calling my name, my shoulders aren't what they used to be, if your doing that much boat work I'd say the lighter weight would be worth it even if you only get 5 years out of it
 
I have the new Flex but haven't used it on a boat. To be honest with you, I would go with a DeWalt or Dynabrade for heavy duty use. Think about this: it is not recommended to use anything larger than a 7" pad with the new Flex. There has to be a reason. If you're looking to save a little weight and still have the 600rpm feature, buy the new DeWalt 849. Here's a picture I snapped at SEMA with my phone:
new_dewalt849.JPG
 
Hey guys thank you for the input, I appreciate it.
I just rebuilt my Makita and My older AEG needed a new switch.
So I am back up and running.
I have been waiting to buy the new flex, but the little voice is telling me to wait a little longer and see what the guys that are using it every day have to say.
I muchly appreciate and value the opinions on this web site!
 
Perfections
You are still using the Milwaukee ! You must be an animal. I had one but the weight of it was killing me. I hate to loan my buffers, but the Milwaukee I would loan out. I nick named it big bertha. My friend borrowed it he did a 40 foot boat got tired down at the end. Needless to say he got caught up in the cord, it blew him off the ladder, gave him a real nice pad burn on his neck, and it pulled the cord right out of the machine. Now that is a heave duty machine.
 
Big boys toys said:
Perfections
You are still using the Milwaukee ! You must be an animal. I had one but the weight of it was killing me. I hate to loan my buffers, but the Milwaukee I would loan out. I nick named it big bertha. My friend borrowed it he did a 40 foot boat got tired down at the end. Needless to say he got caught up in the cord, it blew him off the ladder, gave him a real nice pad burn on his neck, and it pulled the cord right out of the machine. Now that is a heave duty machine.
Click to expand...

Lol I was having a real bad couple of weeks, everything was breaking on me, 2 canopies, pressure washer, vac, da, and misc small tools, and I told my wife that if my Milwaukee broke I would take it as a sign and quit my detailing business, well the next morning I ran over that milwaukee and it still worked!! Talk about heavy duty, but my shoulders killing me after several days in a row of nonstop use :( only reason i recommend the flex, 5 lbs seems so light to me ive been considering an upgrade myself :)
 
rwright said:
I have the new Flex but haven't used it on a boat. To be honest with you, I would go with a DeWalt or Dynabrade for heavy duty use. Think about this: it is not recommended to use anything larger than a 7" pad with the new Flex. There has to be a reason. If you're looking to save a little weight and still have the 600rpm feature, buy the new DeWalt 849.
Click to expand...

Richard, looks like this tool is very close to being released. I found it listed elsewhere at $299 and discovered the new model number is the DeWALT DWP849X.

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Looks very interesting!
 
Please pm me a link, want to see if anymore info has been released. Want to compare this vs. the old vs. the new Flex.
 
Why electric? If I were doing enough work using any tool to burn out an electric, I would seriously consider an air-powered tool. That goes for buffers as well.

Are you mobile or shop-based? If you have a shop a good air compressor and an air-powered buffer (Dynabrade, preferably) will outlast any electric tool.

Just something to think about, if you keep killing 'em.
 
Rwright,
Good point regarding the max pad size for the Flex Machine.
The Dewalt number does not come up on any of my searches ?
I will be looking for the details on this machine !
Thank you for the information.
I do not mind spending the money for the flex, but if there is something else around that will better suit my needs I will go for it.
Thanks again
 
dewalts dont last had 3 of them good for 1 year of hard work. makita is the only way to goand parts are easy to get .I work on boats all day long in se fl .would like to try that new flex .. also if you are going over the same spot 4 times to get it to come out good. try wet sanding the boat frist with 1000 grit and then the buffing will be like butter and look 10 times better and last for years with a good seal on it and waxed every 12 weeks or so
 
That is an empressive tool.
Thanks again for the imput.
I do love the weight feature of the Flex machine, but have concerns on how long it will last. This may be what I have been waiting for.
I typically have a spare switch in inventory for my buffers, that is a typical wear item and also a spare set of brushes. So maybe the wool guard feature will give the machine a little more life.
 
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