Why oh why?

HateSwirls

HateSwirls

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I used a Flex once and thought it was OK, It's great for paint corrections, I did find it hard to handle at times, jerked me around a few times, reason I guess I only used it once and would need practice.
For many years I used a rotary , in fact back in the day that's all I had, no issues with it.
Here's my question.

Why so some buy the Flex but later sell it and buy the Rupes?
what is the biggest difference of the two ?
I don't think I ever read someone who sold their Rupes to buy a Flex.

I ask these crazy questions because I'd like to buy one of them in the future.
Right now I'm happy with my GG6 but you know, we always think there's better. Lol

Last question.

For those who own both which one do you prefer and why?
 
Hello HateSwirls (still love the name btw =D)

I have used both and yes the Flex does have a tendency to "jump". However, I was able to fix the "jumping" part pretty quickly after a couple of uses. All in all, they are both great machines. It will all be a matter a preference in the end. I have already decided which one I am picking

:props::buffing:
 
Which one did you pick Art?



hernandez.art13 said:
Hello HateSwirls (still love the name btw =D)

I have used both and yes the Flex does have a tendency to "jump". However, I was able to fix the "jumping" part pretty quickly after a couple of uses. All in all, they are both great machines. It will all be a matter a preference in the end. I have already decided which one I am picking

:props::buffing:
Click to expand...
 
The Rupes is more user friendly.

The Flex 3401 has more power.
 
Not going to say "top secret" :D

I am still picking the songs for my next video.

I will say that I am waiting until after SEMA to make my final decision :xyxthumbs:
 
I bought the Flex a little while back on one of the good sales at AGO. There is a little bit a of a learnign curve as many have stated, but so far it has all the power that you will ever need. I was amazed at how quickly it would correct in many areas. It tells you when your not using it right.
I know know based on products, dusting, etc.. when to go with a smaller area, when to slow speeds down and when to go a bit slower. Usually can do this on the test spot. Since I have bought the Flex I very rarley use the DA. I also just got the back plate system and 4" pads, this allows for even more flexability.
As for the Rupes, I have not used one. But everything I done with the Flex has turned out fantastic.
The only thing that I can say is that if you do not have th pad flat, it will grab and pull you. After your surgery, depending on how stable you are this could be a bit of an issue. At slower speeds it is not at bad, but if you out of balance and do not have a good hold of the machine, it can be. I was trying to show a friend and he was having a very hard time with it, so I gave him my DA, which he had a much easier time with.
Then again with your 30 years experience, the learning curve will only be one panel if that.

Hope this helps, this is just my opinion, but very pleased with purchase and high quality machine.
 
I have a flex started detailing this year and my first polisher I have no problem with it and I like it! And like ^ he said has all the power you need and works fast
 
Thank you very much.

Well for now I can't use a Flex, not even a DA until I heal up but that will pass and won't be an issue, thank you for thinking about my surgery and using a Flex:dblthumb2:

Like I said before I'm getting calls to do corrections on cars and trucks and if I want to take them on I need something that cuts faster.
You see detailing is a passion of mine and not my way of making ends meet.
One thing I noticed about the Flex was how well it was built, well balanced.
When I used it I corrected a car in half the time compared to my GG6 which I love, the GG6 is also good but there's always better.
If I was only taking care of my personal cars the GG6 would be all I needed.

Thanks again.






zmanjohn said:
I bought the Flex a little while back on one of the good sales at AGO. There is a little bit a of a learnign curve as many have stated, but so far it has all the power that you will ever need. I was amazed at how quickly it would correct in many areas. It tells you when your not using it right.
I know know based on products, dusting, etc.. when to go with a smaller area, when to slow speeds down and when to go a bit slower. Usually can do this on the test spot. Since I have bought the Flex I very rarley use the DA. I also just got the back plate system and 4" pads, this allows for even more flexability.
As for the Rupes, I have not used one. But everything I done with the Flex has turned out fantastic.
The only thing that I can say is that if you do not have th pad flat, it will grab and pull you. After your surgery, depending on how stable you are this could be a bit of an issue. At slower speeds it is not at bad, but if you out of balance and do not have a good hold of the machine, it can be. I was trying to show a friend and he was having a very hard time with it, so I gave him my DA, which he had a much easier time with.
Then again with your 30 years experience, the learning curve will only be one panel if that.

Hope this helps, this is just my opinion, but very pleased with purchase and high quality machine.
Click to expand...
 
After using the Griots (or other PC-type polishers)...
You may have discovered that the Flex 3401 has less vibration...Is "smoother".

This smoothness-factor should not, in the long run, exacerbate or
bring about the onset of physical ailments such as:
-Carpal tunnel
-Neuropathy
-"White Finger" syndrome
-Other Paresthesia-conditions

I know...first-hand...the discomforts associated with such ailments.


:)

Bob
 
Are you talking about the about the XC3401VRG, PE14-2-150 or the 3403?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
 
bad vibrations

FUNX725 said:
After using the Griots (or other PC-type polishers)...
You may have discovered that the Flex 3401 has less vibration...Is "smoother".

This smoothness-factor should not, in the long run, exacerbate or
bring about the onset of physical ailments such as:
-Carpal tunnel
-Neuropathy
-"White Finger" syndrome
-Other Paresthesia-conditions

I know...first-hand...the discomforts associated with such ailments.


:)

Bob
Click to expand...

Ok I have a serious issue with mine, I thought the Flex 3401 would have less vibration then my 7424xp but this is not the case. Within 10 minutes my hands were red from the vibration from the Flex. I used the LC6" bp with 6.5" polishing pad but I am sadly disappointed in the vibration from the Flex. I am hoping that I either have a defective unit or I missed something and am doing something wrong.
 
i don't think anyone has ever doubted the capabilities of the flex, it's more of the controlling issue when using it for some and that is one reason why many prefer the rupes since there is little to no vibration when using it. both will get the job done equally in the long run, it's just personal preference...
 
Well I prefer the one that gets the job done without my hands and wrists going numb!
 
Try a 5.5 inch pad or drop to speed 4-5 and do more passes with a 6.5 inch pad. My buddy was trying mine other night and kept getting wobble so he death gripped it and applied too much pressure to off set his pad not being flat. The 7424 defiantly vibrates more.
 
I think that the 3401 vibrates way less than rupes lhr21es or lhr15es. Once you get use to the 3401 's counter rotation it's so easy to work with.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
 
Because the Flex 3401 is a forced rotation and forced oscillation tool, (it's GEAR driven), the forced oscillation shows up to to the person using the tool as having a walking-effect IF you don't hold the pad flat to the surface.

For most car body panels you should be holding the pad flat to the surface and as such, if "you" feel the walking effect that means you're not holding the pad flat and the tool is talking to you and giving you this feedback.

The effect is more noticeable with large diameter pads.

The first time I used the LC 4" backing plate and the 5" Hybrid pads I was so impressed with these to options that I wrote an article for it and highly recommend it to anyone that owns the Flex 3401.

Besides optimizing the tool for maximum comfort it also in my opinion optimizes the tool for buffing out most modern car body panels as 5" pads fit new cars better than larger pads. That is the ability to buff out a body panel without at the same time buffing directly on top of either a raised body line or the edge of a body panel.


New 5" pads for 4" Backing Plate on Flex 3401



5" Hybrid Pads for the 4" backing plate on the Flex 3401!

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These new pads are not in stock yet but you can get a glimpse of them in action below....

Live Broadcast Video - 1965 Plymouth Valiant - Extreme Makeover


***Live Broadcast Video - Extreme Makeover - 1965 Plymouth Valiant***

[video=youtube_share;VGnDSmMLwk8"]Live Broadcast Video -..." target="_blank">Live Broadcast Video -...[/video] ​





Here's some still pictures I took from the Valiant Extreme Makeover with Justin using them...

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My friend and forum member Tom Risk tried them out, he said,


"They make using the Flex 3401 easier than any other pad"



Forum Member Tom Risk aka ShineTimeDetail visits Autogeek.net

Here's Tom using a 4.5" Hybrid Pad on the Flex 3401

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TomRVisit03.jpg



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On Autogeek.net

Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish 5 Inch Foam Pads

You'll need the 4" backing plate to use these pads...

FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System



:xyxthumbs:
 
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