You just can't beat the Flex 3401...

kaliagent2001 said:
I love my pink flex (thanks ag) so much it made my decision just to buy a used one in which seems like its in great condition. I also thanks to ag bought the lake county plate like one other member mentioned ( can't wait to use it though the rating was not pleasing). Also like one other fellow member my decision to go with the 3401 flex in the first place was my experience growing up working with rotary machines.
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Just be sure to install the two thin washers between the LK gear plate and the LK backing plate. I believe this will stop the heat build-up that caused failure to those who complained.
 
Fellas, I'm here to tell you I am no longer a Flex 3401 Virgin. Yes, that's right but tonight I broke my cherry and tried out my new 3401.

Let me say, that puppy gave me a work out and worked me like a stripper working a pole. I tried it on my work vehicle which is black. I used a CG hex orange pad. I can see how easy it can walk away from you if not paying attention.

Love it. Speed 6 is where it wants to take off. What size backing plate does the 3401 come with? It seemed my 5 1/2 inch pad fell a little small for the backing plate. What size pad should I be using? I only have the one backing plate the flex came with
 
2011 Kona Blue said:
Fellas, I'm here to tell you I am no longer a Flex 3401 Virgin. Yes, that's right but tonight I broke my cherry and tried out my new 3401.

Let me say, that puppy gave me a work out and worked me like a stripper working a pole. I tried it on my work vehicle which is black. I used a CG hex orange pad. I can see how easy it can walk away from you if not paying attention.

Love it. Speed 6 is where it wants to take off. What size backing plate does the 3401 come with? It seemed my 5 1/2 inch pad fell a little small for the backing plate. What size pad should I be using? I only have the one backing plate the flex came with
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i have been using the 6.5 with the original backing but just bought the lake county plate. I will now be using 4 and 5s
 
For the life of me I do not understand buying a $300+ other machine that can stall just cause it has more throw. Ooooooooohhhh. SO? It barely does anything different than a regular RO polisher. Maybe its like "a Jeep thing" or something. I LOVE MY FLEX and the forced rotation. Even using my GG6 for final polishing is somewhat annoying when the stupid pad stops so much. Ya gotta feather the darn thing compared to how you can treat the 3401. I personally will never spend that much money for another RO...nope not me.
 
I was in debate on what to get but i don't think you can wrong with any of the machines imo. They all seem to do well.
 
2011 Kona Blue said:
What size backing plate does the 3401 come with? It seemed my 5 1/2 inch pad fell a little small for the backing plate. What size pad should I be using? I only have the one backing plate the flex came with
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The factory plate on the 3401 is 5.5" and should be used with the larger 6.5" pads.

If you will be using 5.5" pads you should be using the smaller 4 3/8" plate.
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
The factory plate on the 3401 is 5.5" and should be used with the larger 6.5" pads.

If you will be using 5.5" pads you should be using the smaller 4 3/8" plate.
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Thank you sir. I orderd the 5 inch orange hybrid pads from LC. Should I buy the 4 3/8 plate or 4 inch plate to use with the 5 inch pads.

Correct me if I'm wrong but does Mike Phillips like using the 5 inch hybrid pads on the Flex 3401?
 
2011 Kona Blue said:
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Thank you sir. I orderd the 5 inch orange hybrid pads from LC. Should I buy the 4 3/8 plate or 4 inch plate to use with the 5 inch pads.

Correct me if I'm wrong but does Mike Phillips like using the 5 inch hybrid pads on the Flex 3401?
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No problem. Sounds good. You will need the 4" Lake Country plate to run the 5" Hybrid pads.
FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System

Can't answer directly for him but I am sure he likes using both the 5" and 6.5" Hybrid pads.
 
Bigry18 said:
I was in debate on what to get but i don't think you can wrong with any of the machines imo. They all seem to do well.
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This is true. Just about any machine is capable of cutting, polishing, and waxing. Technique can rally maximize results from them.

What I did like about the 3401 was:

1. It's build quality. Flex is legendary for building precision products. As soon as you have it in your hands you can feel the quality of the materials, fit and finish. Like Mike says: "professional grade".

2. Despite it's strength was a very smooth running tool. The motion of the pad was smooth and consistent. Once you get used to operating the 3401, you can find the "sweet spot" and won't get that "walking" effect.

3. The pad will not stop spinning. This feature really allows the operator to use their own technique to get their desired results. A little more pressure when cutting, light pressure forbfinishing, etc, etc.

Those were my experiences with the 3401. I had one, but tend to favor the random orbit machines. I'm probably going to pick up the XFE (XCE? can't remember what the new forced rotation was called) when it's released.
 
What can I do about the heat build up? I noticed the silver body by the backing plate gets REALLY hot. I also just noticed I'm using the wrong backing plate for my 5.5 pads. Just ordered the 4 inch backing plate. Is that the problem?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Bananaz said:
What can I do about the heat build up? I noticed the silver body by the backing plate gets REALLY hot. I also just noticed I'm using the wrong backing plate for my 5.5 pads. Just ordered the 4 inch backing plate. Is that the problem?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
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PERSONALLY I just put the machine down for a bit and let it cool when I notice it getting hot. I've never melted any pads, backing plates, etc.
 
Bananaz said:
What can I do about the heat build up? I noticed the silver body by the backing plate gets REALLY hot.
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The speed at which most compounds need to be run coupled with the added down force needed is the culprit of why the 3401 get really hot. Most of the compounds out there want/need speed 5-6 to be effectively used.

I like to run the Menzerna compounds/polishes as they like it backwards from the norm. I run FG400 at speed 3 and SF3500 at speed 5. Here at speed 3 with FG400 I can run it all day long without the machine getting excessively hot.

I also just noticed I'm using the wrong backing plate for my 5.5 pads. Just ordered the 4 inch backing plate. Is that the problem?
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For the standard 5.5" pads such as the flats, CCS, Hydro techs, etc. you should be using the 4-3/8" sized plate. The 4" plate is for the 5" Hybrid pads.
 
Some people have problems with getting consistent results from non-forced rotation. The Flex will solve that variable. It helps dial in the process with one less key variable.
 
I got some questions regarding this polisher, I hope can get some answers :).

1. If you could get the Flex XC 3401 VRG or the RUPES Mark II at the same price, which one would you choose and why?
2. What is the main difference between this and the upcoming FLEX polisher? (XCE)
3. Same as the number 1 question but with the FLEX XFE7-15.
4. What are you missing from a rotary with the Flex XC 3401 VRG?
5. What's the vibration difference between the 3401 and a GG6 or PC?

TIA
 
hdez said:
I got some questions regarding this polisher, I hope can get some answers :).

1. If you could get the Flex XC 3401 VRG or the RUPES Mark II at the same price, which one would you choose and why?
2. What is the main difference between this and the upcoming FLEX polisher? (XCE)
3. Same as the number 1 question but with the FLEX XFE7-15.
4. What are you missing from a rotary with the Flex XC 3401 VRG?
5. What's the vibration difference between the 3401 and a GG6 or PC?

TIA
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Sounds like you may be upgrading.

Which machines do you have on hand? This will better assist me in answering your questions.
 
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