Forced Rotation DA

[Route246]

I'm considering a forced rotation DA. I have a G21 now as my workhorse.

For those who have both long throw and forced rotation DA, which do you end up gravitating towards for basic swirl removal, AIO, jeweling, etc. (and not for aggressive compounding or serious cutting requirements)? I'm just trying to figure out if I get a forced rotation DA, might I gravitate towards one or the other or are there distinct use cases for both so neither gets neglected over time?

I am a hobbyist so I will not be using this to make money.

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

I'm considering a forced rotation DA. I have a G21 now as my workhorse.

For those who have both long throw and forced rotation DA, which do you end up gravitating towards for basic swirl removal, AIO, jeweling, etc. (and not for aggressive compounding or serious cutting requirements)? I'm just trying to figure out if I get a forced rotation DA, might I gravitate towards one or the other or are there distinct use cases for both so neither gets neglected over time?

I am a hobbyist so I will not be using this to make money.

When I had my G21 and 3401..my 3401 collected dust.
Now that I have a PO5000C I seem to be using that more than my G21

Also gravited from a 75E to GG6 with Griot HD 3in BP

 

[Route246]

When I had my G21 and 3401..my 3401 collected dust.
Now that I have a PO5000C I seem to be using that more than my G21

Also gravited from a 75E to GG6 with Griot HD 3in BP

Thank you. That is the sort of feedback I am interested in.

I'm curious why you like the PO5000C better than the 3401?

 

[B5visser]

My 3401 comes out when I need to get something done quick, or when I'm working on really curvy areas.

My preference is still my XFE-7. Its more comfortable to use, quieter, and doesn't beat you up like the 3401.

I would have a void in my arsenal if I got rid of my 3401 though- it just "works." Well see if down the road I don't replace it with the Mille

 

[ScottH]

I have a 7424xp, GG6, BOSS G15 and Makita 5000 . For polishing and AIO work, the GG6 and BOSS G15 get the most use by far - with the edge going to the G15 as the one used the most because it is just such a pleasure to use. The 5000C only gets used when I need to do some serious compounding and then out comes one of my free spinning DA's as a finisher. It's not that the free spins can't be used to compound - they can - but this allows me to divide the work load among two machines.

ScottH

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

3401 if you want quick and efficient paint correction on medium to hard paint. Powers through curves and the like. Won't correct as fast as a 21mm, but more versatile. Requires more energy than a 21mm, however. I never use the 3401 on soft black paint, as it doesn't finish well.

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

Thank you. That is the sort of feedback I am interested in.

I'm curious why you like the PO5000C better than the 3401?

It doesn't get hot, doesn't beat you up from vibration and walk.
It's Soo much more smooth and balanced.
More ergonomic .
Body is longer, stroke is shorter to midigate possible walk.(still can walk with a stiff pad like B&S low pros)
I can swap in a 3in BP if I want to

I've done a test with 1000 wetsanding mark removal between the two side by side...3 passes max speed heavy cut LC thinpro pad and TLC compound with weight of.machine....makita took out more marks. Had a fellow local detailer perform same test and he got same results.

Since it has less stroke, they needed more OPM and More RPM to match or surpass the 8mm 480rpm/4800 OPM flex.
People over seas are saying the PO6000C and the Mille is outcorrecting the flex too
Oversees 3401 has 1200 watts

 

[Eandras]

I have a 3401 and a Mark 2 21mm Knock off along with PC 7242 and GG6 I always always end up using the 3401. I was just looking at the Mikita that autotopia has on sale with 15% off and free shipping. I have had great success with the 341and am about to push the button in the Makita. I like the option of having the forced and the free movement option in one unit. Overall the 3401is a good choice. I am just now thinking about the makita and as I am writing this I am not gonna a pull the plug. The 3401is my go to with the two backing plates. I use the 4 3/8” and the 5.5”.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I never use the 3401 on soft black paint, as it doesn't finish well.

We'll have to agree to disagree there. I use it on black and soft blacks all the time with fantastic results. IMO it's a matter of pairing it up with the right pad, polish and speed setting. I've posted plenty of blacks and dark colors here.

To the Original Poster, the Flex 3401 is my go-to model and I use it all the time. Love it. The effort to use it doesn't bother me.

 

[Route246]

It doesn't get hot, doesn't beat you up from vibration and walk.
It's Soo much more smooth and balanced.
More ergonomic .
Body is longer, stroke is shorter to midigate possible walk.(still can walk with a stiff pad like B&S low pros)
I can swap in a 3in BP if I want to

I've done a test with 1000 wetsanding mark removal between the two side by side...3 passes max speed heavy cut LC thinpro pad and TLC compound with weight of.machine....makita took out more marks. Had a fellow local detailer perform same test and he got same results.

Since it has less stroke, they needed more OPM and More RPM to match or surpass the 8mm 480rpm/4800 OPM flex.
People over seas are saying the PO6000C and the Mille is outcorrecting the flex too
Oversees 3401 has 1200 watts

Thank you for this feedback. It just tipped me over....

I have a 3401 and a Mark 2 21mm Knock off along with PC 7242 and GG6 I always always end up using the 3401. I was just looking at the Mikita that autotopia has on sale with 15% off and free shipping. I have had great success with the 341and am about to push the button in the Makita. I like the option of having the forced and the free movement option in one unit. Overall the 3401is a good choice. I am just now thinking about the makita and as I am writing this I am not gonna a pull the plug. The 3401is my go to with the two backing plates. I use the 4 3/8” and the 5.5”.

Whoa!!! Whoa!!! Whoa!!! Thanks for the 15% Autopia heads-up. I can get the PO5000C for $280 or so! This doesn't happen very often and I missed the gift certificate promo in December because I was traveling in Asia at the time and couldn't order from there for some reason. Ordering now.

 

[Route246]

Just placed the order.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Qty Product Code - Product Name Price
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 MK-PO5000CX1 - Makita PO5000C 5 inch Dual Action Rando 329.95
1 BUFF15 - The Perfect Polisher Sale- 15% Off Storewide! -49.49
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Total: 280.46
Tax: 0.00
Shipping & Handling: 0.00
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL: 280.46
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your order!
Autopia Car Care

 

[Eandras]

Thank you for this feedback. It just tipped me over....



Whoa!!! Whoa!!! Whoa!!! Thanks for the 15% Autopia heads-up. I can get the PO5000C for $280 or so! This doesn't happen very often and I missed the gift certificate promo in December because I was traveling in Asia at the time and couldn't order from there for some reason. Ordering now.

I pulled the plug on the Makita a few minutes after posting. Did you put the free gift in your cart. The 6 mango microfiber towels.

I see you posted the basket. I should rehad more. Call them Monday and ask them to add the towels. They are a free gift over$75,00

Ed

 

[ronkh57]

. I never use the 3401 on soft black paint, as it doesn't finish well.

Yeah, left me with cloudy paint.................

Seriously, I never had any probably finishing down with it.

 

[Route246]

I pulled the plug on the Makita a few minutes after posting. Did you put the free gift in your cart. The 6 mango microfiber towels.

I see you posted the basket. I should rehad more. Call them Monday and ask them to add the towels. They are a free gift over$75,00

Ed

I did not get the gift. I have plenty of towels, anyway.


Sent from my iPhone X using Tapatalk

 

[Vue to a kill]

Though the 3401 is different, I find it to be my go to machine. Haven't had any issues with finishing either. I think that's more to do with pad/product/speed. I really can't recommend it enough. Yes it gets hot. Yes it's heavy. And yes it takes a learning curve. But if anything ever happened to mine I'd replace it with another one in a heartbeat.

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

I have a 3401 and a Mark 2 21mm Knock off along with PC 7242 and GG6 I always always end up using the 3401. I was just looking at the Mikita that autotopia has on sale with 15% off and free shipping. I have had great success with the 341and am about to push the button in the Makita. I like the option of having the forced and the free movement option in one unit. Overall the 3401is a good choice. I am just now thinking about the makita and as I am writing this I am not gonna a pull the plug. The 3401is my go to with the two backing plates. I use the 4 3/8” and the 5.5”.

Yes, lovely idea right? But worthless without variable mm orbit which Metebo owns patent for

when in free spin mode the 5.5mm doesn't have enough mass? To keep pad rotation..easier to just get a real free spin polisher to finish with.
Free spin doesn't for LSP duty, wet sanding and clay disc though