PE14-2-150 vs. L3403

dbbrooks

dbbrooks

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When are the new PE14-2-150's coming out? I am eager to hear the reviews to help me make up my mind which one to get!:buffing:
 
AG website says first quarter 2011. Hopefully it's Jan! Not that I will be doing much testing since it will be the dead of winter...but I can hope for a day where it's warm enough to get the salt and grime off.
 
the initial review from SEMA suggest another winner !
 
What's up guys? Been away for a while. Lot of life getting in the way. Haven't polished a car since last spring. Would like to, just havent been able to. Dont really want to get into specifics. Have a terminally ill family member.

Anyway, I was starting to catch interest in a circular polisher then. I have a PC7424 (older, weaker style), a GG 6 in ROP, a GG 3inch polisher and a GG 3 in pneumatic polisher. I have a full complement of pads and polishes as well.

At that time I was interested in the 3403 for a beginner circular. Still may be the leading candidate. I was looking at the site tonight and see the PE14-2-150 pre-order option. I see it is quite a bit more money.

My question is what makes it worth so much more than the 3403? The 3403 has a higher listed RPM range (1100-3700 vs 600-2100). Also 3403 has 880W motor vs 800 for the other. The weight appears to be very close.

How does the difference in speed and power translate to a new circular user?

Why would I want to spend the extra (heavier duty for industrial use)? I am a weekend hobbyist. I dont really need to rely on it for daily professional use.

TIA

Kevin.
 
5.4 Shelby said:
What's up guys? Been away for a while. Lot of life getting in the way. Haven't polished a car since last spring. Would like to, just havent been able to. Dont really want to get into specifics. Have a terminally ill family member.

Anyway, I was starting to catch interest in a circular polisher then. I have a PC7424 (older, weaker style), a GG 6 in ROP, a GG 3inch polisher and a GG 3 in pneumatic polisher. I have a full complement of pads and polishes as well.

At that time I was interested in the 3403 for a beginner circular. Still may be the leading candidate. I was looking at the site tonight and see the PE14-2-150 pre-order option. I see it is quite a bit more money.

My question is what makes it worth so much more than the 3403? The 3403 has a higher listed RPM range (1100-3700 vs 600-2100). Also 3403 has 880W motor vs 800 for the other. The weight appears to be very close.

How does the difference in speed and power translate to a new circular user?

Why would I want to spend the extra (heavier duty for industrial use)? I am a weekend hobbyist. I dont really need to rely on it for daily professional use.

TIA

Kevin.
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The new Flex is also suppose to be quieter. I've read some posts by 3403 owners complaining about a high-pitched sound the 3403 makes. Especially at 1500rpms.

Have you considered the Makita? That is one sweet running quiet operating machine. Not too heavy, but nothing like being able to hold it with a single hand over the top of the head, like the original PC.
 
The new flex is also supposed to be very light, if I remember it barely tips the scale at 5lbs.
 
kronos said:
The new Flex is also suppose to be quieter. I've read some posts by 3403 owners complaining about a high-pitched sound the 3403 makes. Especially at 1500rpms.

Have you considered the Makita? That is one sweet running quiet operating machine. Not too heavy, but nothing like being able to hold it with a single hand over the top of the head, like the original PC.
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I got started on the 3403 last Spring when Mike recommended it. My attraction is the lighter weight. I am perfectly capable of handling a heavier machine, just like the idea of less fatigue.

I have seen a lot of love for the MAkita on this forum and believe it is a quality product. My first cordless drill is a Makita (close to 18 years old now). I also love Dewalt products. Most of my cordless tools are Dewalt as is my mitre saw.

So, basically, I am at the mercy of you guys in sending me in the right direction. What advantage does the Makita have? I see it is about 1.8 lbs heavier. It does have a wide RPM range. I assume durability is not an issue. Is it smooth and easy to handle?

Thanks for chiming in.
 
5.4 Shelby said:
So, basically, I am at the mercy of you guys in sending me in the right direction. What advantage does the Makita have? I see it is about 1 1/2 lbs heavier. It does have a wide RPM range. I assume durability is not an issue. Is it smooth and easy to handle?

Thanks for chiming in.
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I'm definitely no expert on the Makita, an amateur really, so all I can contribute are my observations thus far. Cost is to the Makita's advantage, especially compared to the new Flex. Rpms for the Makita are from 600-3000. The new flex operates from 600-2100, but I'm pretty sure most detailers don't go past 2100 rpms. The Makita is like a rock, or so I've heard. I can tell you it's well built, smooth, quiet and depending on pad size, is pretty easy to manipulate (I'm using 5.5" pads). Additionally, it only weighs one more pound than the new Flex. Oh and one last thing, the Makita also has a soft-start feature, somewhat preventing sling.

Weight was a big factor in my decision, but I'm a reasonably big guy (5'6" and a buck fifty :laughing:) and can handle the weight. I think the extra weight is offset by all the advantages it has on the other machines. I can't really think of anything else, so that's all I got for now. :D
 
kronos said:
I'm definitely no expert on the Makita, an amateur really, so all I can contribute are my observations thus far. Cost is to the Makita's advantage, especially compared to the new Flex. Rpms for the Makita are from 600-3000. The new flex operates from 600-2100, but I'm pretty sure most detailers don't go past 2100 rpms. The Makita is like a rock, or so I've heard. I can tell you it's well built, smooth, quiet and depending on pad size, is pretty easy to manipulate (I'm using 5.5" pads). Additionally, it only weighs one more pound than the new Flex. Oh and one last thing, the Makita also has a soft-start feature, somewhat preventing sling.

Weight was a big factor in my decision, but I'm a reasonably big guy (5'6" and a buck fifty :laughing:) and can handle the weight. I think the extra weight is offset by all the advantages it has on the other machines. I can't really think of anything else, so that's all I got for now. :D
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Thx for your input, I will certainly consider that when I purchase.
 
5.4 Shelby said:
My question is what makes it worth so much more than the 3403? The 3403 has a higher listed RPM range (1100-3700 vs 600-2100). Also 3403 has 880W motor vs 800 for the other. The weight appears to be very close.

How does the difference in speed and power translate to a new circular user?
Click to expand...

The difference in speed actually works in favor of the PE14-2-150. With any rotary buffer you buy for use on automotive paint, you're pretty much never going to use the upper RPM range that the 3403 is capable of. In fact, for the most part it will be rare that you would max out the PE14. Most buffing occurs below 2000 RPM, with the majority sitting right in the middle between 1500-1800 RPM. For final polishing, the ability to have 600-800 RPM is an advantage ("jeweling" the paint).

Not sure what to say about the 800W vs 880W; the main distinction would be how easily the machine bogs down under pressure, but having not used a PE14 I can't say how they compare in that regard.

kronos said:
The new Flex is also suppose to be quieter. I've read some posts by 3403 owners complaining about a high-pitched sound the 3403 makes. Especially at 1500rpms.
Click to expand...

Yes, the 3403 definitely has a "whine" to it right around the 1500RPM sweet spot. Since I usually only use my 3403 for spot repairs with 3-4" pads, it doesn't bother me that much. If I were using it to do full buff-outs I'm sure I would get sick of hearing it, though.


Personally if I were in the position of needing to buy a new rotary and didn't already own a 3403, the PE14 is what I'd buy. To 5.4 Shelby, being that you are a hobbyist and will presumably be hanging on to whatever tool you buy for a long time, I'd tell you to invest in the PE14 if you can afford it. Having experienced Flex's quality, performance, and reliability in both my 3401 DA and 3403 rotary, I feel fairly confident in saying that the PE14 will serve you well for many, many years to come.

One other thing to note since we've also now pulled the Makita 9227C into the discussion: the Flex 3403's head and body are significantly smaller than a Makita and thus can be worked into much tighter spaces; I'm not sure how the PE14 compares size-wise, but if it is smaller than the Makita that also gives it a slight leg up. Not that there's anything wrong with a Makita, I just find that at times it can be a bit too bulky for intricate work.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
One other thing to note since we've also now pulled the Makita 9227C into the discussion: the Flex 3403's head and body are significantly smaller than a Makita and thus can be worked into much tighter spaces; I'm not sure how the PE14 compares size-wise, but if it is smaller than the Makita that also gives it a slight leg up. Not that there's anything wrong with a Makita, I just find that at times it can be a bit too bulky for intricate work.
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I've thought about this too. Especially after watching Mike's video demonstrating the 3403. I like the idea of it being used for that purpose so much, I intend to buy one sometime this year. I've seen a few used one's in the $150 range so when I see a good opportunity, I'm going to be all over one.
 
Maybe if we ask real nice, Mike Phillips can take a picture with a Flex 3403, PE14-2-150, and Makita 9227 laid out next to each other on a workbench so we can see a size comparison? (Hint, hint!)

:Picture:

Might help folks make their decisions a bit easier. :props:
 
I actually just sold my L3403. I'll tell you what, that lightweight machine is no slouch! You must use 6" pads or smaller, but it does NOT bog down under pressure. It's noticeably lighter than my 3401 and has a smaller frame than every other rotary I've tried. It felt very good in my hands and operated smoothly. Unless you want to "jewel" the paint, you really don't need to drop below 1100 RPM's of the 3403. It does get a bit hot, but that didn't bother me at all. Why did I sell it? It was very hard to get used to using a rotary on vertical panels. I could not imagine using anything heavier, and I'm a built guy. Also, holograms, just didn't want to deal with them. Went back to my 3401 and couldn't be happier. However, for someone who doesn't mind using smaller pads(6.5" and below) and has the patience(I didn't) to learn on a rotary, I'd highly recommend the L3403!


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