Flex L3403VRG-SET vs Flex XC3401VR

[Tom Weed]

Re: Flex L3403VRG-SET vs Flex XC3401VR

So?? I still don't know which one to get. I have a PC 7424 and a Milwaukee 10 lb rotary and was looking for something in between. They both are in between. I dislike the fact that the backing plate on the 3401 isn't all that compatible with the softbuff pads, as they are my preference. They are both about the same size . I think I would still go to the PC for finishing so maybe leaning toward the rotary. Tom Weed , since you have both, if you could only have one which one would you take? I do one vehicle a weekend and if it's a lot of correction the Milwaukee kills me and the PC is too slow.
Thanks
Donna

Hey Donna,
That's a tough call if I could only have one. On one hand, I like the 3403 (rotary) because it's lightweight, I probably use it more than anything else I have, BUT, for heavy compounding or wool pad use, it might be more than this machine can handle because it gets hot. So, I would say it's not a workhorse, but for lighter polishing, it's great.
Now the 3401 (dual action) is nice because it can do correction work, and can finish like the PC. I don't care for the backing plate cutting the softbuff pads, ZoranC suggested cutting the backing plate down probably 1/4" as it flares out from the plastic, but personally I don't know if I would do that in fear I would mess up the backing plate. Has anyone else done this with success?

Having said all that and if you take the backing plate issue out of the equation, I would take the 3401 if I could only take one, due to it being in between the PC and the rotary you have and you get the best of both worlds.

Hope that helps?

Tom

[Banzai83]

Re: Flex L3403VRG-SET vs Flex XC3401VR

Thanks again! I'm going to try to get the 3401 tomorrow. it also comes with 3 sponge pads and a 258704 wool pad. Now i just need to convince the "bank" that i NEED a new toy!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Flex L3403VRG-SET vs Flex XC3401VR

Some tools are incorrectly called DA even though they are not. XC 3401 VRG is dual action because it is orbital with forced rotation component. Specs are not 16-480rpm but (IIRC) from 3200 orbits per minute plus 160 rotations per minute to 9600opm+480rpm.

The 3401 has two actions, rotation and orbit but differs from “dual-action” machines.

The term “dual-action” was originally coined for pneumatic sander/polishers that were forced to orbit and free to rotate, but not forced to rotate. Machines like the G100 and G110 have the same motion but with electric motors instead of air.

The 3401 is different in that is forced to orbit and forced to rotate. Flex calls it an “orbital.” Many companies that make machines with the same motion as a DA call their machines “orbital” or “random orbit.” Porter-Cable calls the 7424/7336/7335 “random-orbit.”

Forced orbit machines like the Flex, Makita, Bosch and Festool are more aggressive than DA’s.


PC.

Thanks for clarifying this topic of word definitions as they apply to these types of tools Paul.

[ZoranC]

Re: Flex L3403VRG-SET vs Flex XC3401VR

So if PC (no, not the other PC but the other PC ) is dual action and Festool RO 150 FEQ, Bosch 1250 DEVS and Makita BO6040 with forced component turned off work same as PC can we then say they are (together with XC 3401 VRG) triple action when forced component is turned on? If yes my marketing department wins, my PC has more actions than your PC