Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

[hacker-pschorr]

I remember reading a while ago about a device made by Flex that goes between an orbital and rotary. Am I dreaming or does this unit exist?

I guess it would be the same as having a makita with the orbital attachment, just curious since I'm researching to buy a buffer, not sure what to order yet.

Thanks!!

[akimel]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

I remember reading a while ago about a device made by Flex that goes between an orbital and rotary. Am I dreaming or does this unit exist?

I think you may be thinking of the Flex 3401.

[hacker-pschorr]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

Could be, I remember the device having an option to lock out the orbital movement, making it a rotary only.

Maybe I was dreaming.

I already have the G110, reached a comfort level with it so I'm now ready to move to a more powerful machine.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

The 3401 was what you were thinking of, but no, there is no lock-out option.

You may want to consider a rotary and the Dynabrade attachment for the ability to use both functions.

[the other pc]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

The accessory you’re thinking of is made by Dynabrade. It converts a rotary buffer with a standard 5/8”-11 spindle to a random orbit polisher.

Dynabrade sells it as an add-on for any rotary buffer or as a full tool mated with their rotary.

It’s on the last page of the polisher section of Dynabrade’s catalog.

The Flex 3401 is a forced orbit polisher. Festool, Makita and Bosch also make forced orbit models, although theirs can be switched back and forth between forced and random orbit modes. The Flex is forced orbit only.


pc.

[cardriver]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

G110/DA weak.
Flex 3401 stronger.
Rotary even stronger.

Hope that helps.

I have the G110 which works fine on my soft Honda paint, but it's far too weak and ineffective with m105/m205 combo on harder clearcoats (only telling you from my experience).

I'd have gone with the Flex had I known the G110 wasn't strong enough.

[TH0001]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

G110/DA weak.
Flex 3401 stronger.
Rotary even stronger.

Hope that helps.

I have the G110 which works fine on my soft Honda paint, but it's far too weak and ineffective with m105/m205 combo on harder clearcoats (only telling you from my experience).

I'd have gone with the Flex had I known the G110 wasn't strong enough.

FWIW, I believe that this comes down to technique. I would strongly suggest PM'ing Kevin Brown. I have followed his advice and have seen the PC rival the Flex in terms of cutting power, and when using a surbuff pad, rival a rotary and wool pad in terms of cut! And I am rotary guy, it is the first tool (usually, although I use the PC far more often then I used too) I still grab for.

Don't underestimate the power of the PC (or G110)!!

[hacker-pschorr]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

The 3401 was what you were thinking of, but no, there is no lock-out option.

You may want to consider a rotary and the Dynabrade attachment for the ability to use both functions.

The accessory you’re thinking of is made by Dynabrade. It converts a rotary buffer with a standard 5/8”-11 spindle to a random orbit polisher.

I know about the dynabrade and the 3401 - Somehow I dreamed up a Flex tool that doesn't exist.

FWIW, I believe that this comes down to technique. I would strongly suggest PM'ing Kevin Brown. I have followed his advice and have seen the PC rival the Flex in terms of cutting power, and when using a surbuff pad, rival a rotary and wool pad in terms of cut! And I am rotary guy, it is the first tool (usually, although I use the PC far more often then I used too) I still grab for.

Don't underestimate the power of the PC (or G110)!!

I'll have to try a surbuff pad. Last year I detailed a badly swirled Porsche. The speed I was able to fix the defects with a rotary shaved days off the project. I was using a yellow Meg's pad on both the G110 and the Rotary (I borrowed a friends rotary, no wool pad).

Recently I attempted to detail some blemishes off the hood of a black 1997 Ferrari 355. Everything I used with the G110 (including 105) didn't make a dent in the swirls. I was only using a yellow pad. Same products / techniques worked great on the Porsche.
The car isn't in bad shape, I'm just trying take it from a 9.5 to a 10.

[Paul S]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

FWIW, I believe that this comes down to technique. I would strongly suggest PM'ing Kevin Brown. I have followed his advice and have seen the PC rival the Flex in terms of cutting power, and when using a surbuff pad, rival a rotary and wool pad in terms of cut! And I am rotary guy, it is the first tool (usually, although I use the PC far more often then I used too) I still grab for.

Don't underestimate the power of the PC (or G110)!!

This has also been my experience. The rotary may be a little quicker but the PC is underated and will surprise many if only given a chance.

Paul S

[cardriver]

Re: Do you mind if I ask a dumb question about the Flex?

I use the KBM with the G110. 0% correction achieved with m105 & m205 on a MC Victory Blue 2007 Maserati GranSport. Just wasn't enough power for me.

It works on my soft Honda paint, though .