Makita or Flex

[Coastalf350]

So my year old makita rotary burnt up today... 5 minutes into cutting this gel coat and it lost power and started smoking... it's done for pretty sure.

I have a flex 3401 and love it. So here's the question

Go back with another Makita or go with the flex rotary?

The flex is lighter but can it take the everyday use of buffing boats?

Keep in mind this Makita is a year and three months old, it's been dropped ALOT and dunked in salt water twice on accident.


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87407)

[dlc95]

I hear a other of great things regarding the brute strength of the Makita tool.

I had a PE14, and it was an incredible too. A local guy that came over for some instruction has a Makita 9227, and while I was using it, found that I actually preferred it to the Flex!

Was not expecting that.

The other factors is the level of investment. The new 9237 is a bit of a savings by comparison. Given that I'm typically using a random orbital for heavy correction anyway, I'm probably going to get the 9237 after the HF tool dies.

On the other hand, the PE14 is a nice mate to the 3401. Two thirds of the "Flex Trio" (PE14/3401/XFE7)

[Rsurfer]

The PE14 is the smoothest rotary that I have used, but if your doing gel coat with a wool pad, look into the Dewalt.

[WAXOFF]

If it's only a year old I'd be calling Makita and see if it's under warranty.

[oldmodman]

I have both tools and i hardly ever use the Makita anymore. The Flew is smoother, lighter, and just easier on my old carcass to use.

[GSKR]

So my year old makita rotary burnt up today... 5 minutes into cutting this gel coat and it lost power and started smoking... it's done for pretty sure.

I have a flex 3401 and love it. So here's the question

Go back with another Makita or go with the flex rotary?

The flex is lighter but can it take the everyday use of buffing boats?

Keep in mind this Makita is a year and three months old, it's been dropped ALOT and dunked in salt water twice on accident.


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87407)

Both are great machines but I love the makita and prefer it over the flex rotary.

[GSKR]

I had a flex rotary and dropped it in the water due to the boat owners mistake by not putting the boat on the lift correctly. Boats go on the lifts one way,he turned the boat around and left the back of the boat hanging off the lift.So when he raised it out of the water the boat fell off the lift and I bolted leaving my flex running and fell in the water.So I got screwed as he told me he would by me a new flex.well that promise never came through and he gave me 250.00 for a replacement ended up buying a makita.

[Whitewater25]

The Makita or the Dewalt 849xp would be great replacement. I have both,great machines. Spend the money you save over the Flex on a bunch of new pads. I have a PE-14 as well but the Makita & Dewalt are beasts for a lot less $$$. Can't go wrong with any of these 3. 25% off today,save even more!

[Mike Phillips]

I have in the Autogeek's Show Car Garage...

FLEX PE14
DeWALT 849X
Makita


Every time we use rotary buffers the FLEX PE14s are the first once to get grabbed up.

No one seeks out the DeWALT or Makitas first....


These pads work great on the PE14


6.5 inch 50/50 Wool Acrylic Polishing Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/lc-wool-acrylic-pad-7inch.html)


:)

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

...it's been dropped ALOT and dunked in salt water twice on accident.

Normally I would say pick up the PE14 over the other options but in your case I would say the cheaper options will be better suited for your needs.