Used with:
1. Green Cutting Pad for German Paint (from Proper Auto Care)
2. Black glazing/waxing pad (from Proper Auto Care)
3. Adams Swirl and Haze Remover
4. Adams Fine Machine Polish
5. Adams Machine Super Wax
I am the owner of a Porter Cable 7424 and, up to this point, have been very happy with it. It is a good solid entry level random orbital polisher for the home detailer. The FLEX XC 3401 VRG has been getting very good reviews across the detailing community so I decided to try one out.
The FLEX polisher comes with a setup for 3 different types of handle arrangements. The default is a “bail handle” which is a handle centered on the polishing end of the tool. There is also a side handle which can be mounted in place of the bail handle on either the right or left side. I tried the side handle first because this was what I am used to but after a while, I switched to the bail handle and liked the feel much better. I felt that it gave me somewhat better control over the unit.
Also included with the unit were 2 Velcro backing pads. One thing that makes it stand out is that the Velcro pad head is geared, i.e. not only do you get orbital motion with a throw of ~ 8mm (much greater than the PC), it also forces rotation which is something I always had reservations about with the PC. This gives the FLEX much more cutting ability while still being foolproof enough for the average home user. I did notice that it does generate a moderate amount of heat at the pad to paint interface reminiscent of a rotary which, if not used somewhat carefully could get into the realm of burning the paint, but one would have to really be aggressive in one spot to get to this stage. This machine is about as close as you can get to a true rotary without actually being one.
This machine is beefier and heavier than the PC. At 2.2 kg (almost 5 lbs.) this is no lightweight piece of junk, but rather a very solid piece of equipment. This extra weight makes the tool require a bit more effort to handle. I even found myself being pulled over by the torque that this machine generates so you have to be on good balanced footing when using it. There is a progressive power trigger which can be used to vary the speed of the unit. A dial setting lets you set the top speed anywhere from 1000 to 6000 orbits per minute. Fully depressing the trigger takes the unit to the full speed set on the dial. You can release the trigger slightly to reduce the speed. You can also lock the trigger in the fully on position which gives you a little more freedom in handling the tool. For my use when cutting I kept the speed at about 3000 opm. For applying wax I took it up to approximately 4000 opm.
For the average home user, at ~$280 - $300 this might be higher end than the average Joe would want to sink money into, but for the moderate and up detailer it is a must have. The casual weekend detailer would probably opt for the PC due to cost, but if they really wanted to improve their tool box they would have to have the FLEX.
Bottom line: I loved the FLEX, This is a very substantial tool and gives excellent results. I do think that I really would not want to use the PC again even for basic tasks as the amount of work involved in getting acceptable results with the FLEX is much less than I would have to put in with the PC.
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"The true delight is in the finding out, rather than in the knowing." - Isaac Asimov
'99 SLK230 Sport
'00 ML320
'95 BMW 525iA (RIP)
'99 Honda Passport
Ah, I haven't seen that one.
I must say though, they left out the fact that it has the greatest stroke length of any random orbital at all, by far I might add. The specific numbers elude me, but you'll have to take my word for it, it blows even the metabo RO and other imported machines as well.
Great technology.
I'm surprised that the author of that second review got those scratches out with 106ff - I would have thought that to be an SIP job, very good work, whoever made that review. Now I'm curious what that mysterious light was in the background... That was pretty neat, I didn't see a base, and nobody was holding it - seemed to put out quite a bit of strong light for correction.
PS... NICE car.
Last edited by CharlesAFerg : 04-30-2008 at 07:37 PM.
The Flex is a great machine. It blows away the PC or any other non-forced rotational random orbit tool.
Not quite as effective as a rotary, but it's as close as you can get.
Glad the detailing community is finally warming up to it...when I (and several others) talked about it last year, there were many naysayers and PC 'die hards' that didn't want to hear about the Flex.
The Flex is a great machine. It blows away the PC or any other non-forced rotational random orbit tool.
Not quite as effective as a rotary, but it's as close as you can get.
Glad the detailing community is finally warming up to it...when I (and several others) talked about it last year, there were many naysayers and PC 'die hards' that didn't want to hear about the Flex.
The only downside is price!
It became difficult to justify being a PC diehard when your PC was shaking itself apart. It's a great machine, but isn't made to be used alone. Full details are much too hard on the machine for the amount of time required polishing with the PC on no less than the full speed pracitcally the entire time.
In all seriousness though, I use all 3 of my machines effectively. They all do different tasks of the job. Ironically, the PC is the only one that's not german.
I was just informed by the Sales Rep that future units will not be coming supplied with a side handle as it seems most people dont use them anyway and to save cost and avoid a price increase.
I was just informed by the Sales Rep that future units will not be coming supplied with a side handle as it seems most people dont use them anyway and to save cost and avoid a price increase.
Good for them, hardly anybody uses those.
Hah, speaking of handles... My Metabo PE12-175 rotary came with a metal guard. I can't imagine if that thing was on and it twisted onto the paint.
Linear Mode
