One of a kind ... the CBEAST in NZ.

[Aaryn NZ]

Howdy y’all. :xyxthumbs:

So strangely it’s only been around two & a half Months since we were all the way over in the USA & that means I’ve only had the FLEX XCE 8-125 or better known as the CBEAST, for the same amount of time ...feels like so much longer.

The first tool I reached for when we arrived at the Autogeek Show Car Garage on the morning of the Autogeek Open House Detail Day - https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-wednesday-night-detailing-classes/125355-pictures-autogeek-open-house-detail-day-saturday-january-4th-2020-a.html?highlight=Open+house was the CBEAST. A much anticipated tool for me since its conception & having already accumulated the FLEX PE-150 cordless rotary polisher & the FLEX XFE15 150 Dual Action polisher, I was looking forward to adding the CBEAST to the collection. :buffing:

The FLEX XC 3401 VRG (BEAST) is probably the most utilised tool in my shop, & I have three set up in different configurations at all times ... & have five in total but let’s not go there ...

So having many years of real world use with the BEAST in hand, these tools feel as much a part of me as my own hand.


I’ll chuck some random pictures of the CBEAST in action to keep some visual interest ...

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Onto the CBEAST!!!

It’s weirdly hard to explain the freedom experienced when you no longer have a cord to worry about. As much as it’s natural for us as Detailers to subconsciously tuck the cord up over our shoulders it’s not until you don’t have to that you actually realise how taxing it is to do such a simple thing. I’m not talking running a marathon kinda taxing but mentally & somewhat physically it is all the same.

So with that said - I find myself opting to use the CBEAST on nearly every vehicle I work on. The CBEAST performs very very well & is capable of destroying defects for sure but if you had a severely trashed finish to attempt to resurrect & time was a factor (like most shop situations) then probably going to a corded machine is going to be more efficient. In saying that though, there would be certain areas in certain situations on that vehicle that I would still prefer to go cordless anyhow so it’s not made redundant by any means. :buffing:


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For anyone that hasn’t already had this question cleared up, & I still see it being asked every time a cordless tool is in the spot light - Battery Life!! This is a non issue! In my opinion, you would never be able to flatten one battery using this tool in real world situations by the time the battery on charge has finished charging fully.

Power remains the same right till the bitter end, when the battery is flat it’s flat, the tool just stops without any noticeable drop in performance. In hand the CBEAST is simple beautiful - incredibly balanced & it seems to just “fit” no matter where you choose to place your hands. Upside down, ambidextrous ... whatever, it just feels great. :buffing:


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Recently Ange & I hosted another training event at our shop & had a small group of eager students who were keen to get stuck in & really enjoyed the “hands on” styled approach that we adopted from Mike Phillips. Being that this CBEAST is the only one in New Zealand I was keen to have as many people get this polisher in hand as possible. They all loved this tool!!! If only FLEX had a real presence down here ....

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Three of the four students had previously never even held a polisher of any type but all came to grips with the CBEAST, BEAST, PiXiE,FINISHER & PE-150 in short time.

So where does that leave me on my thoughts of the FLEX XCE 8-125 CBEAST ....

I love it! I kinda knew I would before having even touched one but the more I use it the more it becomes a part of me & a part of the team at the shop. Is it the perfect fit for every job? No but then I couldn’t think of a tool that would be “perfect” for “every” job. It has however secured its place as a full time member of staff here at Details ... well done FLEX, well done. :props:


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Thank you all for taking the time to check this out, I appreciate it. :props:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:



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

[PaulMys]

Great post as always, Aaryn!

Thanks for the review, and awesome pics. :)

[custmsprty]

Awesome work, great post. I especially have always wanted to see one of those new Mazda Miata's in candy red or whatever the color is called polished out. Amazing!!

[Aaryn NZ]

Awesome work, great post. I especially have always wanted to see one of those new Mazda Miata's in candy red or whatever the color is called polished out. Amazing!!


Thank you Mark. :props:

Soul Red is what it’s called down in these parts ... it looks okay inside ... looks outstanding in the sunshine -


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Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:


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

[Dr Oldz]

Very cool stuff. I enjoyed reading this and you commitment to help others learn our craft is certainly something very different special!

I still haven’t pulled the trigger on this yet. Just waiting for a 15% polisher discount sale and it’s mine.

[Aaryn NZ]

Very cool stuff. I enjoyed reading this and you commitment to help others learn our craft is certainly something very different special!

I still haven’t pulled the trigger on this yet. Just waiting for a 15% polisher discount sale and it’s mine.

Thank you Dr Oldz. :xyxthumbs:

I’ve been celebrating your Birthday all day seeing as it’s officially your Birthday down here ...

I got you a cyber present - the Quartet -

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:birthday: Happy Birthday my friend. :birthday:

Appreciate your kind words. :props:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:


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

[Dr Oldz]

Thank you so much my friend!!

The quartet.... I like it!!!!!

Something to perhaps help.... on my PiXiE, I painted a white line on the 3 inch backing plate. Keeps from marking every pad!
Also if you pull the roll pin out of the rotary adaptor, you can use the rotary with the 3 inch backing plate altho I would only suggest using speed 1 or 2 like this. Also proceed with that at your own risk, as obviously Flex doesn’t want us doing that. Makes a great 3 inch rotary machine IMO tho.

[Thomkirby]

Aaryn,
I am planning to buy Flex this summer, waiting on funding for that big purchase. I am curious to add the rotary "cordless" instead of a corded version. After watching Mike Phillips use the rotary on the tires and Yvan Lacroix using one on interior I can see the plus for adding one too!
For going mobile at first do you think the cordless then is a safe bet over the power of the corded models?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Very nice post Aaryn! Always enjoy reading what you have to say. Thanks for sharing.

[mdbenge]

Really nice post. Fun and interesting read.

[Justin at Final Inspection]

I have the Cbeast and corded beast and both have there place when needed. The cordless 15mm is a handy one as well.

But I have to say. I absolutely love the Flex PXE. That has been an absolute Godsend and time saver.

[Sizzle Chest]

Thanks for posting Aaryn! These are on my list of 'must have' machines...and you've gotten me all antsy now! LOL.

[Aaryn NZ]

Thank you so much my friend!!

The quartet.... I like it!!!!!

Something to perhaps help.... on my PiXiE, I painted a white line on the 3 inch backing plate. Keeps from marking every pad!
Also if you pull the roll pin out of the rotary adaptor, you can use the rotary with the 3 inch backing plate altho I would only suggest using speed 1 or 2 like this. Also proceed with that at your own risk, as obviously Flex doesn’t want us doing that. Makes a great 3 inch rotary machine IMO tho.


Cheers Dr Oldz. :xyxthumbs:

Interesting stuff ... noted.

Looking forward to getting back to the shop at some stage .... day 6 of our 4 week lockdown, so I’ve got a little wait on my hands .... :buffing:



Aaryn,
I am planning to buy Flex this summer, waiting on funding for that big purchase. I am curious to add the rotary "cordless" instead of a corded version. After watching Mike Phillips use the rotary on the tires and Yvan Lacroix using one on interior I can see the plus for adding one too!
For going mobile at first do you think the cordless then is a safe bet over the power of the corded models?

Thank you Thomkirby. :xyxthumbs:

You know, the FLEX PE-150 is as I refer to it as - “the sexiest tool I have”. Previous to owning the PE-150 I would’ve said the PE-14 was the sweetest polisher I have ever had in my hands, now the PE-150 is. This tool is quite simply sublime! Add the versatility of its other uses & it becomes a no brainer. My vote goes to the FLEX PE-150 Cordless ... :buffing:



Very nice post Aaryn! Always enjoy reading what you have to say. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Mike. :xyxthumbs:

Appreciate your kind words, hope all is well my friend.



Really nice post. Fun and interesting read.

Thank you mdbenge. :xyxthumbs:

Pleased you enjoyed it buddy. :props:



Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:

[Aaryn NZ]

I have the Cbeast and corded beast and both have there place when needed. The cordless 15mm is a handy one as well.

But I have to say. I absolutely love the Flex PXE. That has been an absolute Godsend and time saver.

Thank you Justin. :xyxthumbs:

Agreed, the PiXiE is an outstanding tool, & yeah the XFE is a super smooth machine. Ange got herself one after 3 minutes of using mine .. :buffing:


Thanks for posting Aaryn! These are on my list of 'must have' machines...and you've gotten me all antsy now! LOL.

Thank you Scott. :xyxthumbs:

Appreciate it mate. Surely they’re all MUST HAVES ... :buffing:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:

[Mike Phillips]

Just to chime in....

AWESOME REVIEW AND SUMMARY OF ALL THE TOOLS MATE!

Nice work as always Aaryn!


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