Is the 3401 anyone elses default/go to polisher?

m4gician

m4gician

New member
Apr 28, 2007
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Hey guys,

For many jobs I do, the 3401 is more then adequate to handle the job. From applying stage 1 polish, to spreading all-in-one polishes, I have found the 3401 to be durable,quick and easy to use.

I only ever break out the rotary on SEVERELY gone paint, and I always caution the owner that miracles don't always happen either.
 
I love my Flex ... it immediately replaced my original PC. I bought a Hitachi rotary but found it only needed on severe finishes. Since most cars being cared for in reasonable fashion, I dont find more than the Flex is needed.

I really wish I had played with the Cyclo more between PC to Flex however. It really gets missed in a crowd of fine tools.
 
The 3401 is the first tool I pick up about 80% of the time. The rest of the time it's either because I know I will need a rotary, or because I'm just applying a coat of wax. My G100 pretty much only gets used for that now.... never any polishing duty these days.
 
I have a 3 rotary's but only break them out for heavy work.Mostly my go to is my 3401 as well.
 
I had the first gen pc, for many years. And never had an issue with it. Then two years ago bought the flex 3401. And have used it ever since, it kind of put my pc on the back shelf so to speak. Then right before DTF I bought the new griots. So now it is my go to polisher.
 
I use the flex as my main polisher. The PC still gets used with the 4" pads on bumpers and pilars. The PC is still great for paint cleaners(lime prime and PPE), since it is easy to handle with one hand.
 
loudog2 said:
I use the flex as my main polisher. The PC still gets used with the 4" pads on bumpers and pilars. The PC is still great for paint cleaners(lime prime and PPE), since it is easy to handle with one hand.
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This :props:
 
Love it! It's all I use currently. 3401 is a piece of beauty!
Well I use the 3" GG for small areas but I'm considering a PC to be able to correct those pillars and things like that faster.
 
HighEndDetail said:
I had the first gen pc, for many years. And never had an issue with it. Then two years ago bought the flex 3401. And have used it ever since, it kind of put my pc on the back shelf so to speak. Then right before DTF I bought the new griots. So now it is my go to polisher.
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The Griot's or the Flex?
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
The Griot's or the Flex?
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sounds like he is refering to the griots

I think the flex is a nice machine, but in perspective, I don't see it being the go to machine. To me it seems like the jack of all trades, but the master of none. I don't see it being any more capable than the new griot's, with less versatility, yet not up to the capability of a rotary.

Now figure in the price. for the price of a 3401, I bought a griots 6" and a hitachi rotary, and still had 35 bucks left over to put towards backing plates and pads.
 
Zivman said:
sounds like he is refering to the griots

I think the flex is a nice machine, but in perspective, I don't see it being the go to machine. To me it seems like the jack of all trades, but the master of none. I don't see it being any more capable than the new griot's, with less versatility, yet not up to the capability of a rotary.

Now figure in the price. for the price of a 3401, I bought a griots 6" and a hitachi rotary, and still had 35 bucks left over to put towards backing plates and pads.
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Very interesting perspective.
 
Zivman said:
sounds like he is refering to the griots



Now figure in the price. for the price of a 3401, I bought a griots 6" and a hitachi rotary, and still had 35 bucks left over to put towards backing plates and pads.
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For a guy that is not afraid of a rotary this could be a great plan
Mike
 
Full Throttle Speed said:
For a guy that is not afraid of a rotary this could be a great plan
Mike
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There is a lot of talk about how good/capable/powerful the new griots is. I don't see the flex being any more capable than the griots considering the relatively slow speed it rotates at...even with forced rotation. Then there is the versatility argument. with the array of backing plate sizes and pads that fit a griots compared to the flex, it would be hard for me to spend big money on the flex; which is why I did not. so, if one is afraid of the rotary, just get a griots and pocket even more money. I am one of those guys afraid of a rotary, but have plenty of practice vehicles at my disposal to help with the learning curve
 
Zivman said:
sounds like he is refering to the griots

I think the flex is a nice machine, but in perspective, I don't see it being the go to machine. To me it seems like the jack of all trades, but the master of none. I don't see it being any more capable than the new griot's, with less versatility, yet not up to the capability of a rotary.

Now figure in the price. for the price of a 3401, I bought a griots 6" and a hitachi rotary, and still had 35 bucks left over to put towards backing plates and pads.
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That's terrific! So you got 2 machines you are happy with and 35$. Congrats :)

Zivman said:
There is a lot of talk about how good/capable/powerful the new griots is. I don't see the flex being any more capable than the griots considering the relatively slow speed it rotates at...even with forced rotation. Then there is the versatility argument. with the array of backing plate sizes and pads that fit a griots compared to the flex, it would be hard for me to spend big money on the flex; which is why I did not. so, if one is afraid of the rotary, just get a griots and pocket even more money. I am one of those guys afraid of a rotary, but have plenty of practice vehicles at my disposal to help with the learning curve
Click to expand...

Have you used the FLex?
 
CEE DOG said:
That's terrific! So you got 2 machines you are happy with and 35$. Congrats :)



Have you used the FLex?
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no I have not. I am basing my opinions on the research I have done prior to buying the machines I have bought. IMHO, it isn't doing anything a powerful standard DA cannot. would you say I am correct in that statement?
 
I would have to say that until you have used and practiced with all machines, it hard to take the opinion as fact more so an assumption (not being rude, so please dont fret).

There is an assumption that both machines replace the Flex. I might suggest the exact opposite, I find the Flex replaced my Hitachi and original PC (and UDM too). That being said, I still recently got a PC-XP and plan to test it well.

As far as cost ... well depends on who you know and what you paid, I suppose.
 
Zivman said:
There is a lot of talk about how good/capable/powerful the new griots is. I don't see the flex being any more capable than the griots considering the relatively slow speed it rotates at...even with forced rotation. Then there is the versatility argument. with the array of backing plate sizes and pads that fit a griots compared to the flex, it would be hard for me to spend big money on the flex; which is why I did not. so, if one is afraid of the rotary, just get a griots and pocket even more money. I am one of those guys afraid of a rotary, but have plenty of practice vehicles at my disposal to help with the learning curve
Click to expand...

Well I own both and I just did my daughters black Escape that we recently bought, it was in VERY bad shape. We tried both machines and the flex killed it hands down. The Groits is a great finisher and you can put a small back plate / brushes on it which is why I bought it, but aside from that between the two the flex is a clear winner for me.
Mike
 
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