looking to get my first rotary

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Matt@Revive

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it's toying with the idea of getting a rotary for vehicle that need heavy correction and also to get into the places its hard to get my Rupes and PC. i've been looking at the Flex 3403 do to its size:power ratio, but there been quite a few used Dewalts poping up in my area. my question is it worth getting the Dewalt for around $100 to learn with, then upgrade to the 3403 or PE14 if needed? and can the Dewalt run smaller pads (3-4in)?
 
Get the the Dewalt if you feel there's some life left without major problems. You can use any size pads you want with the appropriate backing plate.
 
The dewalt is a little to powerful for me, I would go with the makita or the flex. IMO, and yes they can all run the smaller pads. It is just that the dewalt has a hair trigger and the other machines have a softer start.
 
Matt@landrover said:
it's toying with the idea of getting a rotary for vehicle that need heavy correction and also to get into the places its hard to get my Rupes and PC. i've been looking at the Flex 3403 do to its size:power ratio, but there been quite a few used Dewalts poping up in my area. my question is it worth getting the Dewalt for around $100 to learn with, then upgrade to the 3403 or PE14 if needed? and can the Dewalt run smaller pads (3-4in)?
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It could not hurt especially if it is priced at $100. I just bought the Flex PE-8 Kompakt and so far I have been impressed. It is a small rotary. I am a little bit under the weather so I really can't get into it that much.

Once better, I intend to do some correcting work on my side mirror. It has a big scratch caused by my GF...no wait a minute!! In order to preserve my life it is my fault!!...LOL

But based on $100 for a ratary...my suggestion is to buy it and learn but go with caution.

The reason why I mention the PE-8 it is smaller than the 3403 and comes in 1, 2 and 3" BP and pads. It is around $210

That might be another option.
 
Since I was very impressed with the 3401 I ended up getting a PE-14 for a rotary. Like all flex products it's sturdy and well built. It's also extremely light weight. Great all around machine.
 
That HD polisher looks almost exactly like the $39 one from harbor freight. That kind of machine might not be a bad purchase if you just want to play around with a rotary to help you decide if it makes sense to drop $300-$400 for a flex unit.
 
I would go with the $100 Dewalt. I would get used to that and then upgrade if you want.

I've gone down to 2 inches on my PC and if you like you could even make an extension for it to reach small tight long distant areas.

you could do it with a Rotary too, and if you get a $100 Rotary. You could experiment with it and do modifications to it and not take a big hit if something went wrong, opposed to a more expensive tool.









And here it is at Meguiar's on their G110v2



I'll add this too, the PC used at 3 inches has a lot of power and could be used at 2 inches with an extension too, if desired.

Here is the PC removing 1000 grit, using Meguiar's 3inch MF cutting pad and Meguiars M100. Polished using M205





or just get both :D
 
who would of ever thought CG's would get the idea of the digital speed interface from this with their torq10fx DA or perhaps they are made from the same company (just like everything else these days right?) with the huge mark-up? harbor freight please come out with one of these for a lot cheaper...
L-36__36627.1405388273.1280.1280.jpg

BUF_501_TORQ10FX_Banner_6_WEB.jpg
 
Mach1USMC said:
Since I was very impressed with the 3401 I ended up getting a PE-14 for a rotary. Like all flex products it's sturdy and well built. It's also extremely light weight. Great all around machine.
Click to expand...


Mizzoutiger said:
:iagree:
Click to expand...


To Matt,

If you're in this for the long run, that is into car detailing either for a hobby or a way of earning a living for most of, or the rest of you're life, then get the Flex PE14.

It is the best rotary polisher for detailing cars. Even wrote a little article about this topic...

The Flex PE14 Rotary Polisher - The rotary I grab first...


At only 5 pounds and the quietest rotary polisher on the market for this price you'll find yourself to become like me and anytime you need to use a rotary buffer you'll be grabbing the Flex PE14 first.

I'm a huge proponent of using the right tool for the right job and that includes anytime you want or need to reduce the amount of time you invest in the first step - the correction step.

In fact, I teach this as a class at this year's Mobile Tech Expo. It's Class #2 out of 9 classes altogether.


2015 Mobile Tech Expo Class Schedule



And in this class I show the Flex PE14




:xyxthumbs:
 
Mike,

thanks for the input!! i think i will end up with the PE14, but i feel i need to work up to it. most of my corrections are one steps that i have hammer out with my Rupes. i am planing on getting a test panel and learning as mush as possible on it, so when the heavy corrections come along i am armed and ready with the right tools and skills. making a $400 investment this early in my detail game i hard to justify, especially after spending over $400 getting my rupes and all of my pads.
 
I agree to test the waters first!

In regards to the DeWalt, why not just get a new dwp849x? Then you get the soft start. Some careful shopping will have it to you for $168. Then, down the line, if you like rotary buffing you can get a Flex and either keep the DeWalt for heavy jobs (like gelcoat) or sell it and get most of your money back.
 
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