Questions with flex 3403 and recommendations?

M

Mustangous

New member
Hello been luring around here for some time now.

I decided to upgrade my buffer. I have 2 very old steel polishers that i use on my cars, boat and jet ski. I do some paint refinishing work too. Looking for something new and light. I use wool and foam pads, I would assume they are 7.5"??? I just go to the store and buy em...lol The inside hard plastic/cardboard is 7.5", but the actual pad is just over 9". So would that make it a 7.5" pad?Looking on line and seeing all the different sizes confuse the hell out of me, didnt know there was so many...:confused:

That being said, I am very interested in the flex 3403 and the flex 603. More so the 3403 because of the weight and with that handle seems more comfortable. The only thing that concerns me with the 3403 is I am not sure if it will hold up to my pads. The pad rating on the 3403 is less than the 603. They did say that the 11.5 amp motor rating on their site was wrong and it has the same motor as the 3401(7.5amp), which is a shame because everyone who is selling this machine has the wrong rating too than.

SO i guess what i am asking is what size would my pads be considered?
I would like the lighter size for the boat and jetski, would the 3403 be a better choice?
Anyone who has the 3403 have any issues with power, use the same pads as me? Any insight, or recommendations?
Thanks in advanced!
 
Someone should have a answer for you soon, me I use the Makita Rotary and many years ago that steel one you are talking about.
 
I do have a question and not sure if i should start a new thread, but I was thinking about the porter cable xp7424 as well as getting the makita. Seems could come in handy for small stuff, but not sure if i NEED it. I do have a tool addiction, so thats why i want it..lol :out:

I have been doing all my compounding to waxing with my rotary with no issues, what would i use this for? :confused: I was thinking of the flex 3401, but I like the pc better because of all the diffent stuff you can hook up to it. Like the carpet/upholstery brushes, anyone use them or recommend them?
 
Yes, not a bad deal in the PC7424XP. It does come in handy for those hard to reach area's and also using with those carpet brushes also ( works great ). Remember we got the DogDays sale going on for 15% and free shipping over 50 dollars. You are welcome to call me if you want to place a order, I'll make sure it goes out pronto!............
 
zoomzoom mazda5 said:
Yes, not a bad deal in the PC7424XP. It does come in handy for those hard to reach area's and also using with those carpet brushes also ( works great ). Remember we got the DogDays sale going on for 15% and free shipping over 50 dollars. You are welcome to call me if you want to place a order, I'll make sure it goes out pronto!............
Click to expand...

i'll definitly call you, i think we spoke the other day about the same info on my first post. I just have to figure all the stuff i want. list is getting to big :drool5:
 
Mustangous said:
Hello been luring around here for some time now.

I decided to upgrade my buffer. I have 2 very old steel polishers that i use on my cars, boat and jet ski. I do some paint refinishing work too. Looking for something new and light. I use wool and foam pads, I would assume they are 7.5"??? I just go to the store and buy em...lol The inside hard plastic/cardboard is 7.5", but the actual pad is just over 9". So would that make it a 7.5" pad?Looking on line and seeing all the different sizes confuse the hell out of me, didnt know there was so many...:confused:
Click to expand...

Guessing the pad size is actually harder then it seems, particularly when considering that each manufacturer has a different meaning for the term. Generally the pad size is the diameter of the pad, but I have seen some measurements that only cover the contact diameter. Wool pads tend to expand in diameter as centripetal force pulls the fibers out from the middle during use.

At the end of the day all that matters is that you are comfortable with whatever the actual size of the pad is. Also use the largest backing plate that will fit the pad comfortably.

That being said, I am very interested in the flex 3403 and the flex 603. More so the 3403 because of the weight and with that handle seems more comfortable. The only thing that concerns me with the 3403 is I am not sure if it will hold up to my pads. The pad rating on the 3403 is less than the 603. They did say that the 11.5 amp motor rating on their site was wrong and it has the same motor as the 3401(7.5amp), which is a shame because everyone who is selling this machine has the wrong rating too than.
Click to expand...

Larger pads not only way more (not as significant as it seems) but have a greater surface area(more friction) on the paint which will increase the load on the machine at any given RPM. That is interesting information regarding the motor in each machine and something we will have to follow up on tomorrow.

If much prefer my 3403 mini Flex to my 603 full sized flex. In fact I lost my 603 in my garage two months ago and haven't missed it one bit. In operation the 3403 will get warmer to the touch (your hand is placed just forward of the handle) and only runs down to 1000 rpm. The 603, in my experience, seems to bog down more then the mini Flex, with the its only advantage being a variable speed trigger.


SO i guess what i am asking is what size would my pads be considered?
Click to expand...

The manufacturer of the pads would give you the best offical answer, but if the pad measures 9 inches in diameter, I would call them 9 inch pads. You mentioned that you are using inexpensive foam pads. The problem with 'less expensive' foam is that it is domestic and cheap, often the same stuff used for filtering. This foam can limit the final results by marring the surface.

You might consider, along with your new machine, picking up so of our OEM Style CCS Pads. These pads are made with the highest quality imported functional polymer foams, the same highest quality foam used on our Hi Gloss Pads. While the smaller sizes (6.5 inch or 5.25 inch) might feel slighly different, this makes a great combo when using the mini Flex 3403 polisher.

oemccsdark.jpg


I would like the lighter size for the boat and jetski, would the 3403 be a better choice?
Anyone who has the 3403 have any issues with power, use the same pads as me? Any insight, or recommendations?
Thanks in advanced!
Click to expand...

Think the 3403 is a great machine, and in combination with the price friendly OEM pads (give the smaller ones a shot on this machine!!!) would be a perfect choice!
 
Mustangous said:
I do have a question and not sure if i should start a new thread, but I was thinking about the porter cable xp7424 as well as getting the makita. Seems could come in handy for small stuff, but not sure if i NEED it. I do have a tool addiction, so thats why i want it..lol :out:

I have been doing all my compounding to waxing with my rotary with no issues, what would i use this for? :confused: I was thinking of the flex 3401, but I like the pc better because of all the diffent stuff you can hook up to it. Like the carpet/upholstery brushes, anyone use them or recommend them?
Click to expand...

The porter cable, by function, is quite a different machine then a rotary. It is a dual action, orbital polisher. These can be used to remove paint defects, swirl marks, and buffer holograms, as well as apply wax or sealant.

For what its worth we (Proper Auto Care) do not recommending applying a wax with a rotary polisher as it generally leads to holograms in the paint.
 
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

Wow, thanks for the reply, now i am really undecided! :out:

Well, before your post this was what i was thinking about going with....

Makita 9227
M105
M205
CCS Yellow/white/black foam pads all 8.5" - why no orange/red pads available?
lake country 7" backing plate
*M34 gallon
*Last touch Gallon
*Reason for both was from what i read and my understanding the last touch would be more of a quick detailer and the m34 is more of a cleaner. The last touch has silicone, so figured better as a quick detailer. Also like the fact that i can get it in the gallon, so it seems cheaper that way. Any other recommendations or comments?
I am undecided on a wax or sealant... Was thinking about the BF wet Diamond, any recommendation or comments?
plus other odds and ends..

All this stuff isnt cheap, so i am trying to keep cost down much as i can without sacrificing, but would like to get a good system.

I have been kicking back and forth about the flex 3401 and the PC for the wax application stage. I like the flex for the fact that its actually a da, but the pc seems like a better choice because of the different size pads available and other attachments, like that interior brushes for example. Also the price is much easier on me :biggrin:. I have been using wools for everything. as for the wax stage I usually hand apply and use the rotary to remove( on boat), or just remove by hand( on my vehicles). I don't have a lot of experience with the foam pads, mostly the wool. I always seem to get better results with the wool, but now i definitely want to get on the right track and use the right stuff. I also have been using Car brite compounds, polishes and waxes, I dont see that mentioned any where. Why is that, i assume the arent that good?

So mainly i am not sure about which machine to get and what size pads. I definitely think i have the 8.5" pads, so not sure how i would feel about the 6.5's. I might actually like it for the cars, definitely not for the boat though...
I hate all these options when it comes to spend this much money. I want to buy once and be happy i know i made the right decision, this is a big investment...:banghead: wish i could use the flex 3403 and the makita with a 6.5 and 8.5 to decide...lol

Thanks zoomzoom and th0001 for the replies! very much appreciated.
 
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