FLEX XC3401 vs any of the new long stroke polishers???

flex vs long stroke machine

  • flex

    Votes: 25 65.8%

  • long throw rupees or gg

    Votes: 13 34.2%
  • Total voters
    38
wow thanks for all the input! now im even more on the fence about which one to get lol
 
Well to be honest. My opinion above was made without ever using a long throw polisher. Just from reading about them I decided that I wanted something that would always turn but not as easily burn paint like a rotary. Sort of a hybrid.
 
Valky said:
The last thing is that there are nothing 3401 can do and long throw can't.
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bumpers or uneven surfaces that the pad is partially in contact with is where the 3401 will shine and a non forced rotational wont' do well if at all. the key is that the 3401 will correct faster and easier. time being the key factor for me. I can blast through a deep polish on a minivan in 3-4 hours with ease. slap a MF Pad on it and tackle a badly hammered car in no-time too.
 
My rotary and long throws can tackle serious defects faster than my 3401 can with hybrid pads. The long throws not only get work done faster than a 3401 but in a much smoother,comfortable manner with a better finish. Those that don't have the finesse and expertise of using a long throw and use to the old style of paint correction should get a 3401 instead. The future is long throws.
 
I love my Rupes machines 21, 15, mini, nano. The thing is there is a place for all of them. I use all 4 on every detail job. I don't have a Flex, so I can't give my opinion there.
 
Valky said:
The last thing is that there are nothing 3401 can do and long throw can't.
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Here's a few things that a long throw cannot do and if one were to try it, there is substantial risk of damaging adjacent areas, these panels are more narrow that the throw of the machine.. A 3401 can be worked on the edge in these areas. I would still grab my kompakt to make things easier, but in a pinch, my 3401 will work.
 
rlmccarty2000 said:
I love my Rupes machines 21, 15, mini, nano. The thing is there is a place for all of them. I use all 4 on every detail job. I don't have a Flex, so I can't give my opinion there.
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I'm with you. I have a G21, Rupes 15 Mark II, and the nano. A mini will be next. I have a 3401, haven't really used it since I got my G21. Again...it's a great machine, but especially with my back issues I hate having to muscle a machine when I've got one that will do the job without having to. The nano is by far my best purchase since owning multiple machines.
 
i think im just going to hold off and do my next detail with my gg six inch.i want to give the money to my daughter at a christmas party, the flex can wait. thanks everyone
 
I previously had the 3401 and I just didn't enjoy how best I felt toward the end of polishing a car. It definitely works you and can beat your hands and arms. While long throw does have its minor set backs such as throw being too long for certain panels or stalling, my hands and arms appreciate the long throw towards the end of the day. For the smaller tighter panels I do have the Rupes mini and the ibrid as well. So as you can see I'm a huge fan of long throw. However if this is going to be your one and only then I would definitely go for the flex since it can power throwugh just about anything.
 
I'm fairly new to the detailing world and I started using the GG6, but as others have mention, DA's have that vibration that can exhaust your hands and arms, I really hated that.

Then I was considering going for the 3401, but I wasn't completely convinced as I wanted a very smooth machine that would not give me any type of exhaustion. I went ahead I bought the Flex PE8 and the Flex P14, both rotaries btw. With these machines I can tackle all paint jobs I have came across. I still have my GG6 for things like jeweling the paint or sanding headlights (using 3" bp). I'm very happy with my purchases but I'm still thinking about getting the 3401 lol. I might purchase it in the future.
 
hdez said:
I'm fairly new to the detailing world and I started using the GG6, but as others have mention, DA's have that vibration that can exhaust your hands and arms, I really hated that.

Then I was considering going for the 3401, but I wasn't completely convinced as I wanted a very smooth machine that would not give me any type of exhaustion. I went ahead I bought the Flex PE8 and the Flex P14, both rotaries btw. With these machines I can tackle all paint jobs I have came across. I still have my GG6 for things like jeweling the paint or sanding headlights (using 3" bp). I'm very happy with my purchases but I'm still thinking about getting the 3401 lol. I might purchase it in the future.
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If you already have PE8,14 and a gg6 you won't need a 3401, go Mini instead.
 
dcjredline said:
There is one big thing... keep rotating no matter what. Sorry.
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On orbit alone the MKII's correct faster than a 3401. Your argument on rotation doesn't hold any weight. People are fixed on rotation when they should be fixed on correction. Its not even funny how much more smoother and powerful my MKII 's are over my 3401, and I have all bp options on my 3401. The way people on this forum label a 3401 to be a beast is very misleading, the PE-14 is the Beast from the Flex camp.
 
dcjredline said:
There is one big thing... keep rotating no matter what. Sorry.
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Ok, if you have wording "no matter what" I have to surrender.�� But for sure, it's will always roate in good hand.
 
dcjredline said:
There is one big thing... keep rotating no matter what. Sorry.
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exactly. if the buffer isn't rotating it's not correcting to its fullest potential. orbiting isn't correcting swirls nearly as effectively as a pad that is also rotating. rotation is key. that's why on a non-forced rotation buffer you want to place a hash mark on the backing plate.

here's a good Mike Phillips piece on troubleshooting the use of a buffer.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html
 
When I just wanna get something done quick, FLEX 3401. When I wanna *enjoy* getting something done, Rupes 15 or BOSS 21.

Flex is like kicking the door down to get in a room; Rupes/BOSS is like picking the lock. Either way you're in the room, just different methods & consequences but same results.

Running a 6.5" pad w the Flex over a windowless Ford Transit Extended Van is gonna leave you a bit tired; using a BOSS 21 is far less taxing.

Flex is less dependent on technique, 'grab and go'.
 
Begs the question, would you rather use the 3401 for shorter time or long throw for longer period of time to get same results? Time is $$$ for those who do it for living.
 
Whitewater25 said:
Begs the question, would you rather use the 3401 for shorter time or long throw for longer period of time to get same results? Time is $$$ for those who do it for living.
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I've seen some seasoned pros use a Rupes 15 and once ya get the technique down solid, probably no time difference between the 2.
 
BudgetPlan1 said:
I've seen some seasoned pros use a Rupes 15 and once ya get the technique down solid, probably no time difference between the 2.
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Ditto, virtually no difference in time, main difference is the feeling I'm your hands.or.the you're body the next say
forced beats you up, tingles fingers more, longthrows are smoothest
 
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