Flex 3401 was painful to use

S

ShawnF350

New member
Has anyone found that the 3401 can aggravate your wrist and forearm to where you never want to use it again?

Since I hadn't used my 3401 in a while I decided to use it for my 300ZX detail. I applied moderate pressure, speed 6, as I used D151 on the hood.
By the time i got the hood done, my wrist and forearm were killing me. I did slow it to 5 but just couldn't take the pain anymore.
Was applying some downward pressure a bad idea?
After that i decided to use the Rupes 15 and mini to do the car instead.

At 45 i just know that pushing on with pain isn't an option like you could do when younger.
 
i'll bet the vibration was really reduced with the rupes. if it's arthritis, it only gets worse with age and glucosamine/chondroitin helps if it is. there was a thread not too long ago on vibration reducing gloves that sounded like a good idea.
 
After getting used to the smoothness of the Rupes, the 3401 is like putting a pad off center on my rotary. (When i use it with my pad washer)
I'm probably going to Craig list it. But would Hate to sell it and find i need it for something.
I just want to be sure that i can correct side panels to an acceptable level with my 21,15 & mini. ..I know my Makita will but I'm still waiting for a car I can safely try it on.
I have my own vehicles looking so good i didn't feel the need to Rotarize them.
 
I always figure it's a matter of the forced-rotation's "recoil" more than a matter of vibration; I'm rather sensitive to vibration (with all equipment, not just polishers) but the Flex 3401 doesn't bother me.

Some people have issues with how the Flex 3401 feels in use, and others don't. How it works/doesn't for *YOU* is what counts.
 
Might also be not used to the reverse rotation after using others. Takes time to get used to it again.

What pad and size were you using? Was it centered properly? What backing plate?
 
Ronkh said:
Might also be not used to the reverse rotation after using others. Takes time to get used to it again.

What pad and size were you using? Was it centered properly? What backing plate?
Click to expand...
5.5" flat lc pad. The smaller backing plate .
Definitely centered well.
I won't be applying downward pressure next time i grab for it.
I usually let a polisher do the work.
Are you supposed to apply downward press with the 3401?
 
ShawnF350 said:
I won't be applying downward pressure next time i grab for it.
I usually let a polisher do the work.
Are you supposed to apply downward press with the 3401?
Click to expand...

If I do use more than "slight" pressure it's short time w the flex. It has great correcting power on it's own.
 
I often apply considerable pressure when using the Flex 3401. That "let the polisher/pads/products do the work, don't lean on it!" advice that's so common just doesn't work for me very often when it comes to significant correction *in a timely manner*. But it'll still get the job done eventually with less pressure.

That said...well, you probably shouldn't do it no matter what *I* do ;O

You absolutely *DO* have to watch that you don't overdo the applied-pressure as it can actually damage the polisher (starting with the plate rubbing on the housing, which is why you need to lube there anyhow). When the Flex 3401 first came out there were a lot of issues from people pressing down too hard and you *REALLY* have to avoid doing that when the pad/plate is contacting the panel at an angle rather than being perfectly flat.
 
I did sell my Flex and with interweb gods I got a GG6" which fits me well because I am a hobbyist not a full-time pro trying to make a living . Being 62 I did have problems with my Flex on my wrists and shoulder. I tried doing smaller sections which really did not help. I have tried different pads and products with the GG 6" to get results I wanted with help from people here on Autopia .

That being said now that I belong to auto-connect and waiting to see what happens I might step back up a pro polisher that is easier for a senior Autopian later on after reading posts here on AU.
 
The weight of the Flex comes into play when I do vertical surfaces and either try to put it above my shoulders or work to far left to right.
 
I bought mine when they first came out almost 10 years ago, just to see what it was all about..

The counter-clockwise rotation took a few minutes to get used to.. Dont know why Flex seems to think this is a better rotation than clockwise...

Here is an idea - how about switching the removeable handle from the left side (as you look down on the Flex as it rests on a flat surface), as most people use, to the RIGHT side and see how you react to the placement of your right hand and arm to the opposite side of the machine ??

I know that from using a big heavy 10lb+ Rotary for decades that rotates clockwise, and never had an issue with this like you are having, wouldnt it make sense that the side handle should be on the other side if the machine is rotating counter-clockwise ?

Perhaps it would be easier to control, use, and that alone would help take the load of your body, since it seems to me, that you are fighting the rotation more than anything else..
If Im dead wrong or crazy, I apologize for that in advance.. :)
Dan F
 
My Flex doesn't really cause me any issues on my hands, but my PC used to leave my hands sore and tingly after polishing a car. I am even able to run the 3401 at speed 5 and hold it with one hand at this point. I realized quickly that the Flex will punish you if your pad is not entirely leveled/balanced on the work surface and will give you quite the fight...or a good forearm workout. Give it some time to get used to,feel the feedback from the machine and do minor adjustments to your pressure and angle until it runs smooth. I noticed it is definitely not nearly as forgiving as a random orbital and it needs a lot more of your attention when operating it. I could basically day dream when using my random orbital but with this flex, I have to watch it like a hawk.
 
ShawnF350 said:
@Stokdgs
Are you suggesting to remove the bail handle and use a side handle?
Click to expand...

Shawn,

So I assume you are only using the Bail Handle then...

I have never liked using the top bail handle with anything that is rotating in either direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise)

To me, it seems like having a 6 0-Clock and 9 0-Clock grips on these tools offers the most control of the tool and allows both arms and shoulders to share the load more equally...

I remember years ago when all of a sudden tools came out with the bail handle on the top at the end of machines, most everyone went right to that, but I didnt...

It just seems to be much harder to control the tool with one hand at the bottom of the handle and one hand at the top of the tool head in a straight line...

I also dont want more body parts in front of the working part of the machine, the backing plate and pad, I want to be able to clearly see all of the machine head at all times...

For me, with that new Flex back in 2004-5, I saw the optional Side Handle and knew I was going to have to use it - especially because it was going to rotate counter-clockwise - the exact opposite of every tool ever invented I believe here in America, and I knew it would be a handful to handle without anything else..

Flex later came out with an Optional Side Handle that was a little bigger and coated with something more grippy and at the end where it screws into the machine head, it had a flange that was padded I believe to help minimize vibration. it was not black but a different lighter color.. Some detailing sites sell it separately...That place outside of Phoenix, AZ used to sell it.. Their name escapes me at the moment, but you can google it and will know when you see it. Its Auto-something dot com, I think..

I later figured out I had to just learn how to deal with the opposite rotation, and part of dealing with it and the extra work it puts on your body, has been perfectly answered by Migue above ----

Quote -- I realized quickly that the Flex will punish you if your pad is not entirely leveled/balanced on the work surface and will give you quite the fight...or a good forearm workout. Give it some time to get used to,feel the feedback from the machine and do minor adjustments to your pressure and angle until it runs smooth. End Quote Migue

Its a great tool and there is a lot of great feedback here that is also true...
Dan F
 
Thanks for some good input.....
I guess I should say.
I haven't used the 3401 in a while. I was able to one hand it before I started using the Rupes machines. I didn't even know anything about it having reverse rotation until i was reading about it here a few months ago. ....lol
But this was the first time i went with a moderate pressure.
I usually let the polisher do the work. Even if it takes longer.
I guess in the short time of just polishing out the hood, my pain level was so high I had to grab for the 15.
I definitely wanna try the side handle.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I'm guessing that fancy Flex vibration free one?
And I'll go back to my no added pressure way of doing it......

The 3401 has been on standby a while. I just need to be sure that other machines i have can handle everything i need to do before i trade it.
 
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