-
Super Member
Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
Since moving my shop in busy part of town my business has picked around 20%
I'm doing about 30 Ceramic Coatings per year plus the rest of the work that comes to my shop and use anything that will get me best results including the Flex3401.
It really has cut my time down on paint corrections.
I have on hand a couple of big throw DA's along with GG6 and my Dewalt 849x that a member here gave me new few years ago , thank you man for picking me.
As some of you may know I was experiencing pain in my elbow when I first got the Flex and had to stop using it because I felt it was making it worst but since then my elbow is fine.
There is a learning curve in using the Flex but once it comes to you it's no worst than any other polisher.
If time is important to you and don't have the Flex3401 then consider buying one because it makes money for you.
I still use my other polishes to apply wax and sealants
Happy Detailing
Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app
-
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Thanks, 6 Likes, 1 Dislikes
-
Re: Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
Originally Posted by HateSwirls
If time is important to you and don't have the Flex3401 then consider buying one because it makes money for you.
I either taught a class or tired to teach a class at MTE with the title,
How to turn the FLEX 3401 into a Money Making Machine
In order to be in compliance with the rules for class topics I had to make the class less tool specific, which I was okay with. Back then the RUPES Mille nor the Makita PO5000C and not been invented or introduced yet so the BEAST was the only gear-driven orbital game around.
Pad stalling just wastes time in two ways,
1: Mechanically - If the pad is not rotating you're not doing anything.
2: Mentally - If the entire time you're buffing out a car you not only have to monitor what your doing, (what and how your using the buffer), but also have to LOOK at the pad or the backing plate to see if the pad is rotating - this wears your brain out. With gear-driven you still have to watch what and how you're using the buffer but you certainly don't have to visually monitor the pad to see if it's rotating or not.
I don't think most people think about this aspect (the mental work of watching for pad rotation), but it is something you must do when using any brand of free spinning orbital.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Thanks, 3 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
Originally Posted by HateSwirls
Since moving my shop in busy part of town my business has picked around 20%
I'm doing about 30 Ceramic Coatings per year plus the rest of the work that comes to my shop and use anything that will get me best results including the Flex3401.
It really has cut my time down on paint corrections.
I have on hand a couple of big throw DA's along with GG6 and my Dewalt 849x that a member here gave me new few years ago , thank you man for picking me.
As some of you may know I was experiencing pain in my elbow when I first got the Flex and had to stop using it because I felt it was making it worst but since then my elbow is fine.
There is a learning curve in using the Flex but once it comes to you it's no worst than any other polisher.
If time is important to you and don't have the Flex3401 then consider buying one because it makes money for you.
I still use my other polishes to apply wax and sealants
Happy Detailing
Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app
Absolutely its better, the learning curve on the flex is less than on a long throw. Plus it will turn the 6.5 force pads which saves a lot of time over 5.5" pads. And you don't need to change polishers to do a contour. If I could only have 1 polisher I would take the flex 3401 every time.
I think its the best polisher out there.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 3 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
Originally Posted by Mike Phillips
2: Mentally - If the entire time you're buffing out a car you not only have to monitor what your doing, (what and how your using the buffer), but also have to LOOK at the pad or the backing plate to see if the pad is rotating - this wears your brain out. With gear-driven you still have to watch what and how you're using the buffer but you certainly don't have to visually monitor the pad to see if it's rotating or not. I don't think most people think about this aspect (the mental work of watching for pad rotation), but it is something you must do when using any brand of free spinning orbital.
That's a really good point, Mike. I wear myself out all the time thinking about things...even when I'm not polishing!
-
Re: Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
Originally Posted by Mike Phillips
I either taught a class or tired to teach a class at MTE with the title,
How to turn the FLEX 3401 into a Money Making Machine
In order to be in compliance with the rules for class topics I had to make the class less tool specific, which I was okay with. Back then the RUPES Mille nor the Makita PO5000C and not been invented or introduced yet so the BEAST was the only gear-driven orbital game around.
Pad stalling just wastes time in two ways,
1: Mechanically - If the pad is not rotating you're not doing anything.
2: Mentally - If the entire time you're buffing out a car you not only have to monitor what your doing, (what and how your using the buffer), but also have to LOOK at the pad or the backing plate to see if the pad is rotating - this wears your brain out. With gear-driven you still have to watch what and how you're using the buffer but you certainly don't have to visually monitor the pad to see if it's rotating or not.
I don't think most people think about this aspect (the mental work of watching for pad rotation), but it is something you must do when using any brand of free spinning orbital.
I agree I think its easy to think the pad is rotating or completely touching the paint surface but unless you have that line and you're constantly looking at it you can be fooled. Actually having the line on the machine/pad and taking the time to look at it teaches you how easy it is to stall the pad.
Plus just on the time thing alone you can effectively do a 3 square foot section instead of a 2x2
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 2 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
Originally Posted by HateSwirls
Since moving my shop in busy part of town my business has picked around 20%
I'm doing about 30 Ceramic Coatings per year plus the rest of the work that comes to my shop and use anything that will get me best results including the Flex3401.
It really has cut my time down on paint corrections.
I have on hand a couple of big throw DA's along with GG6 and my Dewalt 849x that a member here gave me new few years ago , thank you man for picking me.
As some of you may know I was experiencing pain in my elbow when I first got the Flex and had to stop using it because I felt it was making it worst but since then my elbow is fine.
There is a learning curve in using the Flex but once it comes to you it's no worst than any other polisher.
If time is important to you and don't have the Flex3401 then consider buying one because it makes money for you.
I still use my other polishes to apply wax and sealants
Happy Detailing
Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app
Sorry Kevin, I didn't mean to hit the dislike!
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
Originally Posted by dlc95
Sorry Kevin, I didn't mean to hit the dislike!
Not a problem.
Thanks
Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
Originally Posted by Aaryn NZ
Awesome HateSwirls.
Great to read business is going well & a 20% increase is outstanding! Good for you buddy!
Couldn’t agree more about the Flex 3401. I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say - the Flex 3401 is actually a team member! These things just power through any job in front of them & in a shop situation we all know time is money.
I’m gonna be bold & say -
“I’m just like Mike” in terms of working style. I like to get in there & get it done & move on. I did this ‘37 Chevrolet Truck on Friday. Okay, I know it’s just a cab but aside from the washing/prep step, everything else - including interior detailing, wheels, chassis, engine detailing & a three step ‘Buff, Polish, Wax.
Paint was pretty beaten up & I doubt it had seen any care since the paint was laid. I started at 7am & this truck drove away at around 4pm. Couldn’t have done this without the Flex 3401 . . . Truely is a ‘Beast’.
Great post mate, thank you for sharing you experience.
Aaryn NZ.
Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
I spoke with Mike a few months ago and was asking him about the large throw polishers.
He told me he often uses his Flex because it does a great job and faster.
That's when I got to thinking more about using the Flex3401.
He was right and really got me thinking about what he said, it makes for faster corrections which means more money.
Sure it's a little heavier but who cares, right?
Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Too busy not to use just the Flex3401
that's great news Kevin, glad you're doing well buddy! agreed, the flex 3401 rocks!
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
Similar Threads
-
By vuldub in forum Rotary Buffers
Replies: 4
Last Post: 01-15-2015, 05:39 PM
-
By newguy2 in forum Flex Polishers
Replies: 7
Last Post: 02-21-2014, 09:56 PM
-
By Calibmw23 in forum Auto Detailing 101
Replies: 6
Last Post: 01-08-2013, 11:48 PM
-
By 05rsx911 in forum Auto Detailing 101
Replies: 2
Last Post: 02-22-2012, 05:46 PM
-
By m4gician in forum Auto Detailing Tools and Accessories
Replies: 17
Last Post: 05-22-2008, 07:15 PM
Members who have read this thread: 0
There are no members to list at the moment.
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
31 |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|
Bookmarks