Flex speeds?

S

shadybreal

New member
I just got my flex on Tuesday from Detailed Image, and was wonder what speeds you Flex users use w/ the different applications. I was spreading polish on 1, but doing correction at 6. I was using a white pad w/ SIP, and it seemed to what to get a bit grabby. I would appreciate any input I can get. Thanks!
 
I usually spread on speed 2 maybe 3...I agree speed 1 is actually a little too slow IMO. when spreading on speed 1, I noticed it did get a little too grabby as well.



Normal use speed for me is around 5...that's plenty fast enough of a pace for me. heavy correction I'll crank it up to 6.
 
I agree with frostydog...I spread on 2 or 2.5, and then fire it up to 6 usually. I'm a full throttle type guy. I do, however, do a test section very cautiously no higher than 5. I do slow down on plastic bumper type areas as well. Also, as many do with rotaries, after doing my heavy correction passes, I'll gear down to a 4 and go light on the pressure to get a pretty nice finish from IP using orange pad.
 
Why not just use the trigger to slow the machine down? Much easier than adjusting the speed IMO.
 
Mikeyc said:
Why not just use the trigger to slow the machine down? Much easier than adjusting the speed IMO.
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For me, the trigger works more in terms of ramping up the machine. I set the speed dial, press the trigger to start the Flex, ramp the speed up to the dialed speed, and then engage the trigger lock.



When the polisher is at speed, pressing the trigger will disengage the trigger lock. You can definitely then use the trigger to operate at a reduced speed, but you can't engage the trigger lock unless the speed matches the speed dial speed. So, you're left with trying to keep a consistent speed through the pressure you apply on the trigger.



For me, that's not easy. I'd rather just keep the trigger lock on and dial back the speed using the speed dial. Seems easier, but that's just me.
 
I found this posted here. Not sure where they got it from, but it does give OPMs for the various settings. May be useful!



Level 1: 160 RPM, 3,200 OPM

Level 2: 200 RPM, 4,000 OPM

Level 3: 270 RPM, 5,400 OPM

Level 4: 330 RPM, 6,600 OPM

Level 5: 400 RPM, 8,000 OPM

Level 6: 480 RPM, 9,600 OPM



Sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to do either a table or tabs in this editor.
 
Mikeyc said:
Why not just use the trigger to slow the machine down? Much easier than adjusting the speed IMO.
Click to expand...



How are you doing this mikey?? Are you using the trigger in a pulse fashion??



It's not like if you have the speed dial set at 6, but hold the trigger in half way it will run at speed 3...or maybe it does, am I missing something???



My Flex the trigger is more an on/off...it's not incrementally sensitive. There is a "ramp up" stage for about the first second were it seems the polisher first turns onto about speed 1 then continues through to the set dial speed. This is a great feature as it seems to take some strain off the polisher and also helps in the overall controll.



But I agree with toml...using the trigger to set the speed seems like it would be very difficult. I do pulse on occation, but it's usually only once or twice in a specific area that may be tight or of concern for some reason.



Can you extrapalate on this technique a little more...I'm always willing to try/learn something new.
 
frostydog said:
How are you doing this mikey?? Are you using the trigger in a pulse fashion??



It's not like if you have the speed dial set at 6, but hold the trigger in half way it will run at speed 3...or maybe it does, am I missing something???



My Flex the trigger is more an on/off...it's not incrementally sensitive. There is a "ramp up" stage for about the first second were it seems the polisher first turns onto about speed 1 then continues through to the set dial speed. This is a great feature as it seems to take some strain off the polisher and also helps in the overall controll.



But I agree with toml...using the trigger to set the speed seems like it would be very difficult. I do pulse on occation, but it's usually only once or twice in a specific area that may be tight or of concern for some reason.



Can you extrapalate on this technique a little more...I'm always willing to try/learn something new.
Click to expand...

I just got my Flex on Tuesday and haven't had a chance to use it on a car. However, I did run it for a minute unloaded. I had thought you could control the speed with the trigger but maybe not. Even if I'm mistaken you could still pulse the trigger as you suggested.



Personally, I've never turned down the speed (with my PC at least) to spread polish. I just increase arm speed for the first pass to spread the polish. Playing with the speed of the machine to spread out the polish has always seemed like a really unnecessary step to me.
 
Hi guys, used my Flex for the first time yesterday, wow its really made a difference to the shine. It was definately much faster to work with compared to my old RO. Experienced a little pad hop and skip at certain angles, but nothing major and just needed to put more attention into it.



Also had a clumsy accident whilst using my Flex. I left it on a stool while I went to get a drink, tripped myself on the cord and it fell off hitting the garage floor with this loud thud! Ouch! Left a nice scrape on the red removable plastic cover near the front handle. I guess that plastic cover absorbed most of the shock cos my machine still kept working fine after that incident. Lesson learned! But anyway where can i get a spare cover for it, coz I feel so sick now looking at that ugly gash on my new machine.
 
Allan said:
But anyway where can i get a spare cover for it, coz I feel so sick now looking at that ugly gash on my new machine.
Click to expand...



I'd give Powerhouse a call since they are the Authorized Repair facility and either will have parts or can get you the part. Their number is in your manual, I believe. If not, it's 888-809-4749.
 
Thanks Toml. I gave my machine a good check last nite and everything looks good, apart from the nasty scratch/gash on the front plastic cover. :think2 Then i realised that if I use a very fine sandpaper i can actually smoothen the scratch out, so it worked. After that i decided to give it some bling...lol. so i sprayed it with a layer of Tamiya model car paint primer, followed by a few thin coats of Tamiya candy red paint. Looks awesome now, will take some pictures to show you guys soon. :xyxthumbs
 
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