if im going to spend the money on a high end polisher should i get the old flex that everyone seems to love or one of the new rupes or griots long throw machines? what do you guys think?
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if im going to spend the money on a high end polisher should i get the old flex that everyone seems to love or one of the new rupes or griots long throw machines? what do you guys think?
Let's see
Pros to 3401
Quicker corrections over area that contour/convex
Cons
It sometimes works you
Personally fatigues my hands quickly
Long throw pros
Smooth
Easy to manage
Just use weight of machine
Finishes better
Cons
Can stall at certain body curves.. either have to relevel machine, turn up speed or do massage technique.
Less effort all around
Overall correction speed for both seems about the same to me
For me after I learn the correct method to use long throw, I never use my Flex 3401 anymore. If there are any heavy defect that need more correction power, I will have my Rotary in place and finish it with long throw.
My 3401 only comes out now for a couple reasons.
1. To run my Nanoskin 6in speedy prep pad
2. To do quick AIO jobs with HD Speed or similar.
Like stated above. For long hours of correction it just beats me up too much now. My BOSS G21 takes care of most jobs. Then I have my flex PE8 for tight intricate areas.
thenks guys, so if i buy a long throw machine its important to learn the new technique as its different then a traditional dual action?
going to work on the car now and have a few brews ill check back in later!
I think both are needed. The long throw machines on curves and tighter areas are not as useful as a traditional DA.
With the 3401 you can expect a workout, but you can get into almost any spot on the car. You also have a variety of pad sizes you can use.
With the long throws, you will have hardly any effort. You can run a 5" backing plate on a 21mm, but it's not recommended by rupes. I've tried a smaller backing plate on a 15mm and it was like a jackhammer.
I feel like, if you own a 15mm or 21mm polisher, you do need a second machine. A 3401 can be used nearly exclusively.
I love my 3401. Going back to a non-forced rotation is not something I can do anymore. Rarely are the cars I work on flat and without curves. The 3401 powers through anything in less time. Love it.
I'm quite the opposite to some of the other experiences. The Flex 3401 is very smooth for an orbital (albeit forced rotation orbital) and it does not fatigue my hands. Compare it with a GG6, Porter Cable XP7424 or any one of the rinky dink machines, and you'll notice a tremendous different in vibration. That said, the Flex 3401 exposes bad technique and will fight you if the pad is not flat. But to confirm what the others have said, the Rupes Bigfoot is smoothest orbital. I owned the Rupes Bigfoot 15ES and i sold that in a couple months because it 1) was only slightly smoother (meaning not a big enough difference for me to consider it a significant advantage over the Flex), 2) stalled like crazy on concave panels, 3) the Flex 3401 can deal with small edges with little pad contact, 4) and not wanting to deal with switching machines my Rupes 15ES just didn't see any use. I've owned pretty much all the major polishers on the market and i recommend the Flex 3401. Currently in my personal arsenal are the Flex 3401 orbital, Flex PE14 rotary, Harbor Freight DA for carpet duty, and Rupes Nano Long Neck.
nice thanks i don't mind a workout im a big strong guy lol plus im just working on my car. as far as this thread goes im not really understanding what the long throw machines are for? is it mainly just to make it easier if you're using it eight hours a day?Quote:
Originally Posted by Audios S6
thanks for the input im reading that the flex is a better all around machine just going by this thread?Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymoususer