Flex XC 3401 or Porter Cable 7424 XP

Gungho_15

Gungho_15

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Alright. I have been reading tons about both these great polishers and I wanna buy one.

I currently own a very nice SNAP ON orbital and am looking at getting either one of these DA's.

Which one of the two are better and why? I don't want to say this but I will. I have seen the price of both and I am really not concerned. I just want the better machine.

Thank you all in advance. Your knowledge is very much appreciated!
 
If price is not an issue then that is a no brainer... FLEX all the way! You will not be sorry with the purchase. I have one and absolutely love it! I swear by my FLEX
 
I just read that 13 page debate on the flex or the GG. All I can say is wow! I am just curious if I need such a machine in the essence that i have an orbital. I know this has been debated tons on here. I really wish that I could get my hands on each of these machines to try them out!
 
I have the Flex and the old PC. If I had to have only one, I keep the Flex.
 
I have never used a Flex, but I would be willing to bet that I can finish as well or better with my PCxp than most can with a Flex (It may take a little bit longer, but then again ???)
 
DARK HORSE said:
I have never used a Flex, but I would be willing to bet that I can finish as well or better with my PCxp than most can with a Flex (It may take a little bit longer, but then again ???)
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I bet you could Tad:dblthumb2:
 
I own 2 PCs, a Flex 3401 and a Mikata circular and I find myself reaching for the Flex the most often. But thats just my opinion.
 
Gungho_15 said:
Alright. I have been reading tons about both these great polishers and I wanna buy one.
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No surprise that the majority is in favor of the flex. After reading about the top 4 I find that everyone says if you have the $$ get the flex. Sometimes that's the answer when your not even asking about it. Pretty much a mute point.
 
DARK HORSE said:
I have never used a Flex, but I would be willing to bet that I can finish as well or better with my PCxp than most can with a Flex (It may take a little bit longer, but then again ???)
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From what I've seen of your work I don't doubt it for a second!
 
I just bought a flex and honestly I will probably only ever use my DA with a 4 inch pad or a carpet brush in the future. If I had to choose one it would surely be the flex but I find a use for both. If money is not an issue I suggest getting both. They will both have a place I am sure.

The reason I like the flex better is the power it has and it corrects much faster than my DA which is a Meg's G110V2. I also like the fact that I own something that is not made in China. But I like the DA for window pillars, around the grill and doing painted plastic pieces like mirrors and the plastic parts on doors. I haven't applied a sealant with the flex yet but I know the DA is good for that too.

Anytime I referred to the term DA in this post I mean the G110V2.
 
DARK HORSE said:
I have never used a Flex, but I would be willing to bet that I can finish as well or better with my PCxp than most can with a Flex (It may take a little bit longer, but then again ???)
Click to expand...

I have also seen your work and I do not doubt that either. I think the fact that anyone can achieve great results with all the machines sold here on AG gets lost when people are talking about which machine is "better"

tuscarora dave said:
But I like the DA for window pillars, around the grill and doing painted plastic pieces like mirrors and the plastic parts on doors.
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You make a good point, I use my flex for the large surfaces and I have my old megs DA for small areas. I love having that ability also.
 
Any of the polishers sold here will give excellent results in the right hands. So abilities of any machine aside, I'll say the Flex 3401 (only polisher I've used to date) is a sturdy, precision built machine that is comfortable to use. The speed selection dial, variable speed trigger and trigger lock are conveniently placed, you can do it all with just your right hand in it's natural position on the handle. Forced rotation ensures constant speed for even correction and reliable results (I figure this only really matters for heavy correction). It's a tool I'm proud to own and highly recommend it to anyone who can justify the cost. :xyxthumbs:
 
A4 1.8tqm said:
Any of the polishers sold here will give excellent results in the right hands. So abilities of any machine aside, I'll say the Flex 3401 (only polisher I've used to date) is a sturdy, precision built machine that is comfortable to use. The speed selection dial, variable speed trigger and trigger lock are conveniently placed, you can do it all with just your right hand in it's natural position on the handle. Forced rotation ensures constant speed for even correction and reliable results (I figure this only really matters for heavy correction). It's a tool I'm proud to own and highly recommend it to anyone who can justify the cost. :xyxthumbs:
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Well said
 
You can achieve great results with the PCXP. However, the Flex 3401 is definitely a better polisher.
 
Gungho_15 said:
That would be cool, but for the price of airfare and accommodations, coming from Vancouver, BC, I could probably buy all of the polishers being demonstrated! LOL
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that is a problem.

i have the pc and i want to get a flex. i'm new and the pc is great for that, but now i've used it a few time for paint correction, and now i want to be faster. the pc is great for waxes and sealants, but for paint correction, it seems to take all day. i read about how fast the flex is and i'm gonna get one.
i would say get both, if you cant afford both, get the pc (or equivalent) first to get some experience and then get the flex.

my 2 pennies.
 
killrflake said:
I own 2 PCs, a Flex 3401 and a Mikata circular and I find myself reaching for the Flex the most often. But thats just my opinion.
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Please don't take this wrong but I'm wondering why is the Flex your goto tool when you have the Makita? Is it because you can't finish well enough with the Makita? I am wondering because I just ordered the Makita and it should be here today. I am thinking about either the Flex or the Griot's Garage 6" random orbital. Here is my dilema, the Flex sounds like a really nice tool. I always want the best but since I already have a rotary, wouldn't the GG be better for me? The problem I'm having is from what I know the Flex can take any size pad (if using the 3m edge backing plate) and I have read that the GG has a fixed backing plate, can someone tell me if this is true or not? I have read that there are multiple screws that are used to keep the GG backplate in place and you are limited with up to 6.5 inch pads? Some input would be appreciated.
Thanks
 
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