Why is the Flex 3401 considered so powerful?

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WRAPT C5Z06

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It only spins at 4800 MAX OPM. Even if you can't make the pad stop spinning, 4800 MAX OPM isn't very impressive. While some of you may want to post the Flex spins at 9600 MAX OPM, it's simply not true. This has been verified independently several times. So, why is the 3401 considered a "beast" of random orbital machines? :)
 
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Because it's a forced rotation like a rotary. It is gear driven and not by centrifugal force like a da.
 
Rsurfer said:
Because it's a forced rotation like a rotary. It is gear driven and not by centrifugal force like a da.
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If compared to a rotary as far as forced rotation, the 3401 spins at a MAX 480 RPM's, that's one WEAK rotary...haha. :) I see what your saying, but it sure doesn't spin very fast, generally speaking. If the 3401 had a MAX OPM of 6800 and forced rotation, I could see where it would be considered a beast!
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
If compared to a rotary as far as forced rotation, the 3401 spins at a MAX 480 RPM's, that's one WEAK rotary...haha. :) I see what your saying, but it sure doesn't spin very fast, generally speaking. If the 3401 had a MAX OPM of 6800 and forced rotation, I could see where it would be considered a beast!
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I think it's simply a transition machine. It's not a rotary, yet it has some of a rotary's traits...it's not a DA, yet it has some of a DA's traits.

Probably one of these things that will be debated forever...like "Which oil do I use in my BMW?"

Im the MAN
 
So, even though the 3401 spins at a lowly 4800 MAX OPM, it's still very capable. I guess the forced rotation aspect makes a huge difference in terms of correcting power, rather than MAX OPM. Would this be accurate?
 
What it lacks in speed as far as opm it makes up for it in the way they have the gearing for the backing plate.It doesn't bog down at all and the power range is very consistent.
 
Harleyguy said:
What it lacks in speed as far as opm it makes up for it in the way they have the gearing for the backing plate.It doesn't bog down at all and the power range is very consistent.
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I think this is the same thing that Rsurfer said, but more specific. Completely answers my question. Thank you. :props:
 
There's the Festool Rotex 150 that spins at 660 MAX RPM's in forced rotation mode!! That's almost 200 MAX RPM's faster than the 3401. That's pretty awesome!! :buffing:
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
There's the Festool Rotex 150 that spins at 660 MAX RPM's in forced rotation mode!! That's almost 200 MAX RPM's faster than the 3401. That's pretty awesome!! :buffing:
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I also think there is a pretty big price difference too.
 
Mark, I think more then anything the Flex is considered a very well crafted machine. With features, control locations, extremely smooth operation, and forced rotation that all come together just right. For me it was the right choice. If I recall correctly you stopped using yours after a few trys because you said it was too powerfull. I hadn't heard "beast" but more so a finely crafted machine that offers fast and consistent correction and finishing in a machine that is a pleasure to use.
 
Dubbin1 said:
I also think there is a pretty big price difference too.
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There's a big price difference between the Flex and the PC. The Flex however is a useful tool, while the PC makes a fantastic paper weight.

John
 
detailjohn said:
There's a big price difference between the Flex and the PC. The Flex however is a useful tool, while the PC makes a fantastic paper weight.

John
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Now your starting trouble. Wait to OC detailing reads your post.
 
CEE DOG said:
Mark, I think more then anything the Flex is considered a very well crafted machine. With features, control locations, extremely smooth operation, and forced rotation that all come together just right. For me it was the right choice. If I recall correctly you stopped using yours after a few trys because you said it was too powerfull. I hadn't heard "beast" but more so a finely crafted machine that offers fast and consistent correction and finishing in a machine that is a pleasure to use.
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:iagree:But I still don't like the plastic gears in the plate. It's like buying a pressure washer with plastic fittings instead of brass or stainless steel.
 
Rsurfer said:
:iagree:But I still don't like the plastic gears in the plate. It's like buying a pressure washer with plastic fittings instead of brass or stainless steel.
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I don't think there's ANY machine on the market that I would consider myself 100% happy with. Each has its finer points and positive qualities, but no one machine out there is truly the perfect unit IMHO. If someone were to take all the best qualities from each of the available tools and combine them, we'd have something awesome.
 
Rsurfer said:
:iagree:But I still don't like the plastic gears in the plate. It's like buying a pressure washer with plastic fittings instead of brass or stainless steel.
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Good point! You would think with the effort put into the tool they would have sprung for a 304 SS gear but that SS is awfull pricey. I suppose with the plastics of today it may be possible to manufacture the right plastic to be a great solution. Have you found yours to show substantial wear? I haven't seen any but haven't had mine long enough either.
 
detailjohn said:
There's a big price difference between the Flex and the PC. The Flex however is a useful tool, while the PC makes a fantastic paper weight.

John
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I would put my PCxp up against your flex anytime (as long as I'm running the PCxp). Any of the current da's will produce great results in the right hands. However the greatest tool in the world can't produce even marginal results in the wrong hands :props:

Rsurfer said:
Now your starting trouble. Wait to OC detailing reads your post.
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:haha:
 
CEE DOG said:
Good point! You would think with the effort put into the tool they would have sprung for a 304 SS gear but that SS is awfull pricey. I suppose with the plastics of today it may be possible to manufacture the right plastic to be a great solution. Have you found yours to show substantial wear? I haven't seen any but haven't had mine long enough either.
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I dont own a Flex DA, but I do have the Flex rotary, Makita, GG RO and the 1st gen. PC.
 
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