My Flex 3401VR locked up...

[Tom Weed]

I was using my Flex 3401 VR Saturday on a detail and it started making weird noises then the backing plate came to a standstill. It hums pretty loud now and the plate wont spin, I changed plates just to make sure this wasn't the problem and put on a brand new one, same result. I've always put this machine through the paces in the two years I've had it and it's always gotten really hot, but never failed till now. I'm afraid it's something in the drive, so will be in contact with pwr-house to see about getting it repaired.

Question, if this is going to cost as much as a new one, what are the thoughts on the G110 or the new PC 7424XP? I used my Flex over the rotary in most cases for correction work, will one of these handle it? I have the old PC 7424 and never was happy with the time it would take with it to do correction work.

Thanks in advance,

[ColonelCash]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

PC 7424XP has a 3 year warranty and has slightly more correction ability, G110 has a 1 year warranty. ADS is selling the PC for $130 with a free pad and Megs DA backing plate.

I don't think it will work like a Flex, but using the Kevin Brown method you can get some great looking paint. Others that have both might be of more help.

[Bounty]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

I have the old PC 7424 and never was happy with the time it would take with it to do correction work.

That's 90% of the answer right there. If you had a tool with very similar power/correction ability as a G110 or PC7424XP and found it unable to handle the tasks you desired then you've answered your own question.

The ROB polishers can do some amazing things with the right techniques, pads, products, etc albeit oftentimes in more time than a Flex or rotary and usually with more effort. The merits of all three have been discussed ad naseum on the board and you'll get proponents on both sides. If you originally bought a Flex...have used it on many jobs for a protracted length of time...and had great success with it then stick with what you know works!

I carry both because the PC offers some nice flexibility in specific situations but all my major correction work is done with a Flex. Since total replacement is at issue you might want to grab an older PC7424 ($79 on Autogeek) and a rotary and you'll only be about $35 to $50 more than the Flex. Or you could grab the Flex kit from ADS for $309 that comes with the Flex, 6 pads of your choice, and carrying bag.

[Tom Weed]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

That's 90% of the answer right there. If you had a tool with very similar power/correction ability as a G110 or PC7424XP and found it unable to handle the tasks you desired then you've answered your own question.

The ROB polishers can do some amazing things with the right techniques, pads, products, etc albeit oftentimes in more time than a Flex or rotary and usually with more effort. The merits of all three have been discussed ad naseum on the board and you'll get proponents on both sides. If you originally bought a Flex...have used it on many jobs for a protracted length of time...and had great success with it then stick with what you know works!

I carry both because the PC offers some nice flexibility in specific situations but all my major correction work is done with a Flex. Since total replacement is at issue you might want to grab an older PC7424 ($79 on Autogeek) and a rotary and you'll only be about $35 to $50 more than the Flex. Or you could grab the Flex kit from ADS for $309 that comes with the Flex, 6 pads of your choice, and carrying bag.

I have a PC7424 and several rotaries, which I ended up using on the last detail when the Flex quit working. I just like the fact that I can use the Flex as a do all machine, and it's safer than a rotary for correction work, and I don't have to mask off and cover things. I was more less curious to know if the new G110 or the 7424XP had noticeably more power than the original 7424 so I wouldn't' have to drop another 300 right now, but from what I've been reading, it seems like there's still a wide margin between the Flex and these new machines for correction work.

[Paul S]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

Any info on repairing the flex yet Tom ?

Paul

[Tom Weed]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

Any info on repairing the flex yet Tom ?

Paul

I filed out the online web contact form and have not heard back from Pwr-house yet. I think I am going to call them as they have not been responsive on the website.

[Tom Weed]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

update, got pwr-house on the phone, will box it up tonight and send it back tomorrow, here's hoping it won't be too painful...

[Bunky]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

.... a wide margin between the Flex and these new machines for correction work.

On paper, the Flex is in a class above the XP and G110 and confirmed by anyone who has used it.

[RamAirV1]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

I was using my Flex 3401 VR Saturday on a detail and it started making weird noises then the backing plate came to a standstill. It hums pretty loud now and the plate wont spin, I changed plates just to make sure this wasn't the problem and put on a brand new one, same result. I've always put this machine through the paces in the two years I've had it and it's always gotten really hot, but never failed till now. I'm afraid it's something in the drive, so will be in contact with pwr-house to see about getting it repaired.

Question, if this is going to cost as much as a new one, what are the thoughts on the G110 or the new PC 7424XP? I used my Flex over the rotary in most cases for correction work, will one of these handle it? I have the old PC 7424 and never was happy with the time it would take with it to do correction work.

Thanks in advance,

I'll let you know in a few days. I'm taking delivery of my XP tomorrow. I'll give it a quick try on the GTO, which is enjoying life as a garage queen. It will be clean so I will be able try it on a panel or two. I don't expect the XP to have the power of the Flex though. I rarely need the paint correction that the Flex can provide and I do have the Makita for that.

You could always use the Dynabrade on one of your rotaries if you don't want to get another Flex. The Dynabrade was very impressive.

I only detail my own vehicles so I couldn't justify the added cost of the Flex, othewise I probably would have ordered one also.

RamAirV1

[Tom Weed]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

I'll let you know in a few days. I'm taking delivery of my XP tomorrow. I'll give it a quick try on the GTO, which is enjoying life as a garage queen. It will be clean so I will be able try it on a panel or two. I don't expect the XP to have the power of the Flex though. I rarely need the paint correction that the Flex can provide and I do have the Makita for that.

You could always use the Dynabrade on one of your rotaries if you don't want to get another Flex. The Dynabrade was very impressive.

I only detail my own vehicles so I couldn't justify the added cost of the Flex, othewise I probably would have ordered one also.

RamAirV1

Hey Roger,
It must be so nice to have a garage queen, that is too cool, maybe one day...

I can't imagine needing anything more than say 205 and a PC once I had it looking the way I wanted it too if i had a garage queen. You are very lucky...

Last detail after the 3401 died, I went to the 3403 rotary with 205 and a yellow polishing pad and it worked wonderfully. I do like the Dynabrade especially on large flat surfaces, but it can get tiring especially on side panels and hard to reach areas due to the added weight.

I just liked the 3401, plenty of correction power and pretty safe to use and light weight.

[imacarnut]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

What gauge cord are you using?

[RamAirV1]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

You never know, it may turn out to be a relatively inexpensive repair, like the brushes. Where did you send it for repair?

No doubt about it, the Flex is a great machine!

Yes, it is a lot easier to avoid swirls when it is not daily driven. I went with silver for the G8, and it is very forgiving.

RamAirV1

[Tom Weed]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

What gauge cord are you using?

12 AWG, this machine has been used a lot, but one thing I've always noticed about it, it gets very warm.

[Tom Weed]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

You never know, it may turn out to be a relatively inexpensive repair, like the brushes. Where did you send it for repair?

No doubt about it, the Flex is a great machine!

Yes, it is a lot easier to avoid swirls when it is not daily driven. I went with silver for the G8, and it is very forgiving.

RamAirV1

Sent it into Powerhouse distributing, same place I purchased it from. I believe they are an authorized distributor and service center for them.

[Tom Weed]

Re: My Flex 3401VR locked up...

Update,
I got my machine back today from Powerhouse, with a "No Charge"
the copy of the invoice shows they replaced the shaft, bearing, gearing, and some other ring, along with a new felt ring and put a new backing plate on it! That's incredible and I'm a very happy camper, hats off to Powerhouse!!!

I wasn't sure in the beginning what the repair was going to take, so I bought a new Griots Random orbital polisher for a replacement, it was that or the 7424XP and chose the Griots. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet other than turning it on with a pad and I couldn't stop it with my hand, so it does seem like it has substantially more power than the previous DAP's.