NEW FLEX XCE 3401 Corded and Cordless Polishers!

spazzz said:
Thanks Mike for answering my sarcastic comments.
I got caught up in the moment and you handled it very professionlly

I still wish they had a legit 5 inch backing plate for the VRG.
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At least here in Sweden you can get a 115mm for the 3401VRG. And as I can see it's a Flex original part too. So just under the 5"/125mm size which useally works good with the 5" pads velcro.

Edit: And found it here on AGO too.

FLEX XC3401 Mini 4.5 inch Backing Plate, FLEX
 
Mike Phillips said:
Besides the fact that this is normal anytime you improve and upgrade things in the world, (anyone have an old iPhone or iPad that they CANNOT update the software?), backing plates wear out. Specifically the velcro HOOKS on the backing plate wear out. anyone that uses any tool that uses a velcro interface on the backing plate, (about 99.9% of all orbital polishers), has had to, or will need to, at some point throw away the original backing plate and purchase a REPLACEMENT - because everything wears out,
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Backing plates indeed wear out. I have probably put 4 or so on my 3401 thru the years.

When talking hook and loop, there are two types of adhesion if you will....first there is the “stickiness”. That’s what you hear when you tear the hook and loop apart. Then there is a lateral adhesion or a shear adhesion. That’s how much if at all the hook and loop gives from a side to side motion. This is the main factor in hook nd loop in DA polishing machines. Hook and loop actually has some serious engineering involved when it comes to our business.

Anyway, on my 3401, it was the lateral or shear adhesion that began wearing out. The pad actually walks off center and that means time for a new backing plate. (I’m not talking about if doing a lot of edging that can also make a pad walk off center)

Sorry for the rant but maybe someone will find above info useful in the future!
 
SWETM said:
At least here in Sweden you can get a 115mm for the 3401VRG. And as I can see it's a Flex original part too. So just under the 5"/125mm size which useally works good with the 5" pads velcro.

Edit: And found it here on AGO too.

FLEX XC3401 Mini 4.5 inch Backing Plate, FLEX
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Great point here Tony. :props:

I use this set up on one of my 3401’s alongside one setup with the standard backing plate & another setup with the Lake Country 4 inch plate too. :buffing:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:
 
Aaryn NZ said:
Great point here Tony. :props:

I use this set up on one of my 3401’s alongside one setup with the standard backing plate & another setup with the Lake Country 4 inch plate too. :buffing:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:
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By any chance Aaryn do you use the 5.5 LC Force pads which have a 5 inch velcro?
If it works for you everyday pros I would entertain the thought of the 4.5
Otherwise I would by another stock 5.5 Flex and grind it down to 5 again.
 
spazzz said:
By any chance Aaryn do you use the 5.5 LC Force pads which have a 5 inch velcro?
If it works for you everyday pros I would entertain the thought of the 4.5
Otherwise I would by another stock 5.5 Flex and grind it down to 5 again.
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Sorry buddy, I was at the park with the young fella. :props:

Yeah absolutely. LC Hybrid Force work real well, & to be fair, any of the LC 5.5 inch pads do. My favourite combo at the moment is LC SDO Pads on the 3401 & the LC Low Lint Wool Pads I am a BIG fan of for serious chopping. 5.5 inch fit nice on the Flex 4.5 inch backing plate, you won’t be disappointed. :buffing:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:
 
Dr Oldz said:
I love my 3401 for sure, if the new corded SUPER BEAST has the same specs as the 3401, it is a must have!

10 years later and still curse at myself for occasionally setting the 3401’s Metal shroud on my leg or arm or skin somewhere.

This appears to have copied the Finisher’s ergonomics, which I feel are superior and well engineered!!
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Hey Jim, do you think the new cooling features will translate to less heat generated on the paint?
 
WRAPT C5Z06 said:
Hey Jim, do you think the new cooling features will translate to less heat generated on the paint?
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For me the simple answer is no. The machine itself will definitely run cooler IMO.

The nature of the machine(forced rotation and oscillation) is going to generate heat between pad and paint. I change my pad so often that heat really doesn’t have a chance to get from the BP thru the pad and onto the paint. But I imagine technically on paper it’s possible to generate less heat on the paint.
 
Dr Oldz said:
For me the simple answer is no. The machine itself will definitely run cooler IMO.

The nature of the machine(forced rotation and oscillation) is going to generate heat between pad and paint. I change my pad so often that heat really doesn’t have a chance to get from the BP thru the pad and onto the paint. But I imagine technically on paper it’s possible to generate less heat on the paint.
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I agree with you.


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Woahhhhh the Beast with cordless technology is already here!

For $499 it says battery sold separately. Is there a kit version that comes with the charger and 2 batteries?


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Brandon Wetch said:
Woahhhhh the Beast with cordless technology is already here!

For $499 it says battery sold separately. Is there a kit version that comes with the charger and 2 batteries?
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It is available to pre-order.


I have not done the math but I assume buying it where it includes batteries, instead of buying it naked. (naked is the slang term used to describe a cordless tool all by itself, with nothing else. Just the core too.

The idea being is that many of you already own a charger and FLEX batteries for your other cordless FLEX tools.


If you already own a FLEX battery charger and batteries, then this is your link to pre-order,

FLEX XCE 8-125 18.0 Polisher



If you're new to cordless FLEX tools, perhaps this is your first FLEX cordless tools, then you're going to need batteries and the battery charger. If this describes you, then here's your link,

FLEX 8-125 18.0 Polisher Set - Pre-Order Now!


:)
 
I wonder if these cordless tools fit in the detailers helper polisher bag with the batteries. I suppose you could store the batteries in another pouch if they stick out. This could be a breakthrough. Imagine climbing a ladder on RV or aircraft and having your cordless buffers in arms reach at all times with no worry about cords.


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Brandon Wetch said:
I wonder if these cordless tools fit in the detailers helper polisher bag with the batteries. I suppose you could store the batteries in another pouch if they stick out. This could be a breakthrough. Imagine climbing a ladder on RV or aircraft and having your cordless buffers in arms reach at all times with no worry about cords.


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:iagree: ... I can tell you (at least with the other two Flex Cordless tools) that it is bliss working without a cord. Especially on something like these big things.

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Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:


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How would you chose between the 2 ? Is there a difference in power/feel. I will only use it in my garage on maybe 2 cars. Would I be better off with the corded version ?
 
nickyc said:
How would you chose between the 2 ?
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Just to clarify, you mean how would you choose between the Corded BEAST versus the Cordless BEAST?



nickyc said:
Is there a difference in power/feel.
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Yes/No

CORDED tools will ALWAYS have more power. That's just physics.

They "feel" the same to hold.



nickyc said:
I will only use it in my garage on maybe 2 cars. Would I be better off with the corded version ?
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If I have to go FAST - I use the corded BEAST.

If I'm not under time constraints - then I use the Cordless Beast. The benefit of not having to deal with cords is worth it. (to me)




:)
 
So they are being delayed again???? I was told a couple of months ago, June-July...Pre orders came end of July with an End of August shipping...Now I am being told End of October? I am getting a little worried as this is usually not businesses, business plan to announce and delay so much...
 
Already available in Europe, and have been told UK versions will be available beginning of September
 
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