Flex PE14-2 question...

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Does it really FEEL that much different as far as smoothness/control compared to a Makita or Dewalt? I know it's lighter. Perhaps that can make it easier to control.

[Flash69]

Great question Mark. I want to know this also.

I might have to get a rotary in order to fix some key marks someone decided to put in my wife's brand new Ford Edge. I am going to do what I can with my GG 6 and Megs DA MF system but I am afraid I will have to go rotary. I am only a hobbyist so I don't need the best however I have a problem that I THINK I need to buy the best.

[Flannigan]

Great question. I have, and love, both the PE14-2 and the New Dewalt 849x. They are both super sturdy and well build tools. Neither has given me any issues with reliability and neither has failed at any amount of buffing I have thrown at them. The new Dewalt is more than 100times better than any other Dewalt or Makita buffer I've ever used. It's lighter, smoother, and just all around easier to use. That said, the new flex takes it up a notch. It is super lightweight and super smooth, and super quiet. My only gripe with the flex is that the speed control is not in a good position for me. It doesn't prevent me from using it, but I wish it was placed better, like on the dewalt and Festool (same tool as the new flex).

That said, if you have a new dewalt, I wouldn't buy the flex. Unless you have very little arm strength, the dewalt should not fatigue you anymore than the flex would. Sure you will notice it's lighter when holding both of them, but over the course of a detail it really doesn't make a difference. Also considering the huge difference in price, I honestly don't think there is a need to have both. I have both because I'm a huge wh0re and want to try everything out. I also have an old flex rotary and giant Dynabrade rotary that I use from time to time.

In short anyone should be very happy with either tool, but if you want the smoothest, lightest, and quietest it's the flex. If you want the best bang for the buck, it's the Dewalt. Hope that helps!

[RaskyR1]

Great question. I have, and love, both the PE14-2 and the New Dewalt 849x. They are both super sturdy and well build tools. Neither has given me any issues with reliability and neither has failed at any amount of buffing I have thrown at them. The new Dewalt is more than 100times better than any other Dewalt or Makita buffer I've ever used. It's lighter, smoother, and just all around easier to use. That said, the new flex takes it up a notch. It is super lightweight and super smooth, and super quiet. My only gripe with the flex is that the speed control is not in a good position for me. It doesn't prevent me from using it, but I wish it was placed better, like on the dewalt and Festool (same tool as the new flex).

That said, if you have a new dewalt, I wouldn't buy the flex. Unless you have very little arm strength, the dewalt should not fatigue you anymore than the flex would. Sure you will notice it's lighter when holding both of them, but over the course of a detail it really doesn't make a difference. Also considering the huge difference in price, I honestly don't think there is a need to have both. I have both because I'm a huge wh0re and want to try everything out. I also have an old flex rotary and giant Dynabrade rotary that I use from time to time.

In short anyone should be very happy with either tool, but if you want the smoothest, lightest, and quietest it's the flex. If you want the best bang for the buck, it's the Dewalt. Hope that helps!

Agreed! I love how smooth and quiet it is!


The only thing I could say I didn't like is that it seems to get pretty warm during a lengthy polishing session. I tend to judge speed based on sound but also agree that the side dial is less than ideal.


Rasky

[Mike Phillips]

Just to chime in...

What Dave wrote was very good, but one reason that I like the Flex PE14 is because it's smaller and more compact in size and I prefer these features for what I call,

Surgical Buffing


That is getting into tight areas or just working carefully with a small footprint...

Blown 1934 Ford Pick-up - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Kristin (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/43007-blown-1934-ford-pick-up-show-car-makeover-modeled-kristin.html)


I got the other guys going with the Meguiar's, Porter Cable and Griot's Garage full size DA Polishers polishing all the major panels and set up the Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polishers for the smaller, tighter hard to reach areas.

Meanwhile I tackled the random, isolated deeper scratches, some by dampsanding with Meguiar's #3000 Finishing Discs and some just using the new Optimum 3" Microfiber Pads on a Flex PE 14 Rotary Buffer using Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Dampsanding34Ford01.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Dampsanding34Ford02.jpg

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http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Dampsanding34Ford11.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Dampsanding34Ford12.jpg



After the radiator shell we moved to an area with some raised dimples on the paint, we sanded the area flat and then removed our sanding marks.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34025.jpg

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The above is what I call Surgical Rotary Buffer work which comes in real handy for working on small or thin panels or hard to buff areas. You need an extension for your rotary buffer, small backing plates and small buffing pads.

Trend: Backing Plate Extensions for Surgical Precision Buffing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/42949-trend-backing-plate-extensions-surgical-precision-buffing.html)

On Autogeek.net
Optimum Optimum Double-Sided Rotary Adapter (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-rotary-adapter.html)
2-3/4 inch Hook & Loop Rotary Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/2vebapl.html)


Cleaning an Optimum 3.25" Microfiber Polishing Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-microfiber-polish-pad-325.html) using a Pad Conditioning Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/padtool.html)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34053.jpg



Start out slow on the 1 setting which is 600RPM to spread the product out after using the 10 @ 10 Technique to pick up a bead of product
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34054.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34055.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34056.jpg

The 10 @ 10 technique for picking up a bead of product with a rotary buffer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/circular-polishers-rotary-polishers-high-speed-polisher/29321-10-10-technique-picking-up-bead-product-rotary-buffer.html)



Could I have done the above with ANY full size rotary buffer?

Yes.

My preference for this type of work however is a lightweight, compact rotary buffer.


:)

[kronos]

Does it really FEEL that much different as far as smoothness/control compared to a Makita or Dewalt? I know it's lighter. Perhaps that can make it easier to control.

YES!!!

I've only owned the Makita and now the Flex PE 14-2 (we really need to give it a nickname). I've used the Makita to buff out about 5 cars (mostly compounding, only one finishing) and the PE 14-2 once (jeweling a Jet Black BMW!!!).


Your categories:

Smoothness - They're so close I can't make a call. The Makita is one smooth smooth machine. The Makita purrs and the Flex grinds, but it's a smooth grind. I don't know how else to describe it and it probably has to do with the way the gears are setup, but the Flex is super smooth too.

Control - Flex, easily. Smaller size, lighter weight, better balance and ergonomics, give the Flex a big edge.


Additional categories:

Noise - No contest, Flex wins. I can hold a conversation on speed 3 (1,500 rpms) without raising my voice! The Makita at speed 3 (1,500 rpms) makes a whining sound, is a little loud, but tolerable.

Heat - The head of the Flex does not get hot. The Makita's does and feels like it's going to burn your hand, but it doesn't. The body of the Flex does get hot, but if you use a handle then it's not an issue. I keep my hand over the head, like my PC.

Cost - Makita by a landslide.

Mark, I remember you not liking the 3403. I'm not sure if the heavier weight of the Flex would make it easier or harder to control, but going from the Makita to the Flex allowed me to gain further control of the rotary.

[Mike Phillips]

You can see the PE 14 Rotary Buffer and the DeWALT Rotary Buffer My Classic Car. I show both but use the Flex in the segment with the Optimum Adapter and a 4" pad.



Rotary Buffers on My Classic Car - Dennis Gage & Mike Phillips

Rotary Buffers on My Classic Car - Dennis Gage & Mike Phillips - YouTube



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[WRAPT C5Z06]

Thanks everyone and Mike!!!

[kronos]

Thanks everyone and Mike!!!

Thinking about picking one up?

[Mike Phillips]

Lots of info here...

Bumblebee - Testing out the NEW DeWALT DWP849X (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/37831-bumblebee-testing-out-new-dewalt-dwp849x.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery002.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0022.jpg

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I have some 3" pads that are not actually available. I asked Eric Dunn for these late last year and have been using them with great results. You can also see I'm using an Optimum Optimum Double-Sided Rotary Adapter (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-rotary-adapter.html) attached to a 2-3/4 inch Hook & Loop Rotary Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/2vebapl.html) with these small rotary buffer pads.


The adapter acts as an extension which allows me to better see where the pads touching the paint as I buff and also works sometimes to give you enough clearance to buff into tight areas.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0020.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0021.jpg


Previously all the compounding has been done using the new DeWALT DWP849X, now I'm switching over to the Flex PE14, already I like the smaller size and lighter weight, especially for any of the places where I have to be real careful.


These small, 3" foam pads work really well for buffing around,


Delicate areas
Thin panels
Edges


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0028.jpg



Pinstriping paint tends to be more on the soft side versus hard side so you don't want to run your buffing pads over any pinstripes but you do want to buff as close to them as you can. In this picture I'm using an extension to position the pad a little farther away from the polisher so I can more easily see where the edge of my buffing pad is on the panel.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0029.jpg


When buffing thin panels, or working next to edges, hold the rotary buffer with a firm grip and focus on the task at hand...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0030.jpg


Edging - Buffing along an edge to knock it out before buffing out the rest of the major portions of the panel. By edging a panel first you don't have to buff near the edges as close when you switch over to a larger pad to buff out the panel.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0031.jpg


Here's some after shots....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0040.jpg

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:)

[Mike Phillips]

Chris aka IID (ImpressiveImageDetailing) has a great review on the DeWALT 849X somewhere on the forum too...

Might be more his is the one that comes to mind...


:xyxthumbs:

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Wow Mike, thanks bud!!!

[Flannigan]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/38136-dewalt-dwp849x-initial-thoughts.html

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I think I'm gonna spring for the Flex PE. The main reason is because it's lighter and more compact. :D

[Mike Phillips]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/38136-dewalt-dwp849x-initial-thoughts.html


That's the one... thanks Dave...

Great review and excellent photography!


http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n81/twistedframe/DSC_0617.jpg

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