Tried Out My New Flex 3401 Today.

TOFAST4U2C

TOFAST4U2C

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Picked up a Flex 3401 in the Labor Day sale. Just opening the box I could tell the Flex was a little heaver then my PC DA but the extra power is worth it. This baby sure can haul the mail. Tons of power and cuts the working time down quite a bit. I worked a car that was pretty clean but still clayed it and took to it with M105. There was a lot of DA haze that needed to go and it went in a hurry using the Flex. Very comfy to hold too. Can’t tell how much time I would save on a serious correction job but it seems like half right now.
Power wise, it seemed like I only needed to be at 5 to get things corrected where on the PC DA I needed to be at 6 (or more if it could). Does that sound right being only at 5 to cut?
I can see why people just getting in to detailing start out small and inexpensive but I bet my PC DA sits on the shelf now. This machine is the cat’s meow for safe polishing. It felt like I was using my Makita rotary the way this thing cut through the haze. Would highly recommend owning a Flex if you want to get the job done in less time with a lot less elbow grease. It’s worth the extra money for this machine. :buffing:
 
You've done the best choice. PC is underpowered no doubdt about it.
 
The Flex 3401 is truly a great machine!! :props:
 
Well I just gave my brand new Flex a test drive today. Not sure where to start actually so here are some random thoughts after my 10 hr detail.


  • You can obviously accomplish the same thing with any of the DA polishers
  • IMO the Flex is somewhat faster - but not substantially - fewer passes get the same amount of work done. Generally only needed 4 passes w/Flex whereas I'm typically doing 6 w/PC
  • Less trauma on the body since there wasn't a need to press hard - more like guiding the machine and letting it, the pad & compounds/polish do all the work. Very different for me since I always felt the PC needed a little extra help.
  • Not nearly as loud and the tone is a lower frequency making it more tolerable then the PC
  • Controls are very ergonomic and the variable speed trigger is a blessing.
  • Machine is longer & thinner and very comfortable to hold - PC is chunkier but note the machines weight exactly the same. PC I would operate with one hand - not happening for any extended time with the Flex though it was easy to switch hands without turning of the buffer.
  • Easy to adjust speeds on the fly
  • cleaning the pads on the fly is made easier by the direct drive system
  • Self teaching so if your technique is poor, the machine walks on you. I see this as a positive since it was easy to correct. For someone familiar with using a DA polisher, you would be an ace within 15-30 minutes using the forced rotation Flex
  • Love the 5" hybrid pads designed for the machine - awesome
  • Probably not the best beginner machine imo but is an exponential upgrade from the PC
  • Lots of fun to use - you know you have a quality tool in your hand.
  • Backing plates easy to change, though the factory mounting screw is 5mm and the LC interchangeable is 5.5mm allen head. PC is much quicker to change out though I didn't really use that feature much. On the Flex I've already changed the BP 3x the first day.

Anyway, those are some quick thoughts from the days activities. Obviously the entire "kit" is pricey but should the need arise for a new machine, I wouldn't consider anything else if my budget allowed. This is a very serious tool.

S.
 
BobbyG said:
The Flex 3401 is truly a great machine!! :props:
Click to expand...

Couldn't resist Bobby - had a bunch of money in AG gift certificates from my bday. Really glad I took the plunge - terrific machine as u well know. Thanks again for the feedback the other day.

:xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs:
 
addysdaddy said:
Well I just gave my brand new Flex a test drive today. Not sure where to start actually so here are some random thoughts after my 10 hr detail.


  • You can obviously accomplish the same thing with any of the DA polishers
  • IMO the Flex is somewhat faster - but not substantially - fewer passes get the same amount of work done. Generally only needed 4 passes w/Flex whereas I'm typically doing 6 w/PC
  • Less trauma on the body since there wasn't a need to press hard - more like guiding the machine and letting it, the pad & compounds/polish do all the work. Very different for me since I always felt the PC needed a little extra help.
  • Not nearly as loud and the tone is a lower frequency making it more tolerable then the PC
  • Controls are very ergonomic and the variable speed trigger is a blessing.
  • Machine is longer & thinner and very comfortable to hold - PC is chunkier but note the machines weight exactly the same. PC I would operate with one hand - not happening for any extended time with the Flex though it was easy to switch hands without turning of the buffer.
  • Easy to adjust speeds on the fly
  • cleaning the pads on the fly is made easier by the direct drive system
  • Self teaching so if your technique is poor, the machine walks on you. I see this as a positive since it was easy to correct. For someone familiar with using a DA polisher, you would be an ace within 15-30 minutes using the forced rotation Flex
  • Love the 5" hybrid pads designed for the machine - awesome
  • Probably not the best beginner machine imo but is an exponential upgrade from the PC
  • Lots of fun to use - you know you have a quality tool in your hand.
  • Backing plates easy to change, though the factory mounting screw is 5mm and the LC interchangeable is 5.5mm allen head. PC is much quicker to change out though I didn't really use that feature much. On the Flex I've already changed the BP 3x the first day.

Anyway, those are some quick thoughts from the days activities. Obviously the entire "kit" is pricey but should the need arise for a new machine, I wouldn't consider anything else if my budget allowed. This is a very serious tool.

S.
Click to expand...
Very nice write up thanx for the info, just got mine today might play with it tonight. But i have no cars to correct the paint :(
 
TOFAST4U2C [FONT=Calibri said:
I can see why people just getting in to detailing start out small and inexpensive but I bet my PC DA sits on the shelf now.[/FONT]


Put a 3.5" bp and use 4" pads for tight areas, windshield polishing and head lights. PC is also great to apply waxes/sealants.
Click to expand...
 
i sold my PC for $125 with my old LC backing pates (3 of them), and parlayed this into a flex. i bought it on black friday and it just shipped out today. i cant wait to get my hands on it...

in hindsight, i prolly shoulda kept the PC for tighter areas as described above, but im think on grabbing a griots...on sale in canada for 99 bucks (old version).
 
Quality and speed aside, the biggest difference between a Flex 3401 and tranditional DAs is the trigger and the lack of vibration.
 
I still use my PC for applying sealent and wax, but for the real work i grab the Flex. Best purchase i've made in some time, Flex is total quality.
 
Once I got my Flex 3401, my PC turned into a carpet scrubber.:xyxthumbs:
 
I kept the PC because when I help friends do their vehicles, I can give them a machine to work as well.
 
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