Which flex combo?

[Crazyplum]

Ok so I have the porter cable right now with the edge 2000 kit. I am currently looking at getting a flex, but not sure which kit I should get.



I noticed there are combo packages at autogeek that include new pads and backing plate etc.



A.One of them comes in a 6.5 inch pad set.



B. One comes in a 7.5 inch pad set.



C. This is the third option and I would get the conversion from 3m and use my current edge 2k 6.5 pads that I have. (Another advantage with going this route is I can use The cyclo 4 inch pads.)



Any input on these combos? Also where is the best price on just the flex 3401?

 

[Accumulator]

Ok so I have the porter cable right now with the edge 2000 kit. I am currently looking at getting a flex, but not sure which kit I should get...

I generally advise to buy the polisher and the pads separately rather than buying a pre-selected kit. I often think the kits are more likely to benefit the vendor than the buyer; I'd buy exactly what you need.

I noticed there are combo packages at autogeek that include new pads and backing plate etc.



A.One of them comes in a 6.5 inch pad set.



B. One comes in a 7.5 inch pad set.

Between those two I'd go with the 6.5" setup. While the Flex *can* effectively use the larger pads, I prefer the smaller ones and would recommend them for somebody just getting used to the machine anyhow. Just get the *right* pads for your application, whatever the size.

C. This is the third option and I would get the conversion from 3m and use my current edge 2k 6.5 pads that I have. (Another advantage with going this route is I can use The cyclo 4 inch pads.)

I have the Edge adaptor for my Flex, but I've never used it (yet). I would *NOT* want that to be my only setup for the Flex; it doesn't impress me as being all that sturdy and with all the reports of the adaptors failing I wouldn't want to be 100% reliant on it.



Plus, I think you'll find the 4" pads aren't nearly as feasible/handy on a Flex as you might first think. NOT (IMO) a practical way to get into tight spots and you can do spot-correction by using just the edge of a regular size pad, or, better yet just use the PC for that (that's what I do, much as I love the Flex and dislike the PC).



Oh, and Welcome to Autopia!

 

[Kean]

….I finally pulled the trigger on a Flex a few weeks ago. I typically feel the same way about kits as Accum. I usually find they bundle them with things I simply don’t like, want or have a use for. However, in the one I purchased, it came with M105, M205, (3) LC orange pads, (2) LC grey pads and (2) “bonus” LC red pads (all 6.5”). ….oh, and (2) MF’s of decent quality (I have several of them already). I did a little math and the cost of the kit would have been less if I had bought the pads separately (even excluding their “bonus” pads). The plus side was that I was planning to buy additional orange & grey 6.5” pads anyhow (most of mine were 5.5” to 4” that I used for the PC). I have also been wanting to try the M205 but never got around to it. ….and having the M105 on hand would be nice. Either way, it all seemed to work out with this kit so I went ahead and ponied up the cash for it. I find this to be a rare case though that just happened to fit with my current needs.

 

[Crazyplum]

Thanks guys. I cant wait to get all of this in the mail. I wound up ordering the flex with some separate pads. I have m105 and after using it this weekend on my buddies truck with the porter cable , I didnt feel it cut deep enough.



I am trying to get out smaller scratches in the paint (I cannot feel them with my fingernail) , but I am using the edge 2000 6.5 yellow pad and still not getting them. After going over a panel several times, I am hoping to get better/faster results with the flex. I am thinking my pad is too big for the pc based on what I have been reading.

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

Yea I got my Flex LC kit the other day and tested it out--man does that this work! I don't know about going bigger than 6.5 but I guess I'm glad Accum filled us in on using the 4inch pads (darnit i guess I'll have to try and figure someting out?) I mean for the smaller areas I would tape things up and use my 6.5 pads but places like the the front bumpers of say a benz I've been a little stuck. but yea FLEX FTW~!!!!

 

[Accumulator]

...I am using the edge 2000 6.5 yellow pad and still not getting them. After going over a panel several times, I am hoping to get better/faster results with the flex. I am thinking my pad is too big for the pc based on what I have been reading.

Yeah, those are *WAY* too big for effective use via PC, but oughta work fine with the Flex.

 

[Kean]

Yea I got my Flex LC kit the other day and tested it out--man does that this work! I don't know about going bigger than 6.5 but I guess I'm glad Accum filled us in on using the 4inch pads (darnit i guess I'll have to try and figure someting out?) I mean for the smaller areas I would tape things up and use my 6.5 pads but places like the the front bumpers of say a benz I've been a little stuck. but yea FLEX FTW~!!!!

....luckily (in my case) I will still have my PC to fall back on for the smaller areas. Maybe you can source one (or something similar) that is used for cheap?

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

Well where I stand ATM I figure, I'll save up for maybe the Griot's? since people seem to like it a lot; but otoh, I mean--It's not like I'm doing this as a business--so for now I figure I'll deal with not being able to get into the intricate areas--if it bothers me that much i figure I'd do it by hand (I mean how big can those sections be?) although I'm thinking about getting a smaller backing plate with pads for the flex ... i just dunno if that's a good idea? lol

 

[Accumulator]

Well where I stand ATM I figure, I'll save up for maybe the Griot's?

I'd wait and see if you *really* need another machine. But see below, I can argue it either way...

.. I'm thinking about getting a smaller backing plate with pads for the flex ... i just dunno if that's a good idea? lol

Not, IMO, as feasible as one might think as the machine's housing gets in the way anyhow. taking off the top handle can help a little, but oh man does that housing get hot.



There's no way to fit a significantly smaller plate to the Flex due to the size of the ring gear (on the back of the plate). There's the Edge adaptor, but it strikes me as kinda flimsy and there's still that issue of the machine's housing bumping into thigs. I usually just use the outer edge of a big pad for tight spots, it can do more of those than you might expect that way.



But yeah, no way around it, having a second machine set up for use with smaller pads *is* handy if you don't mind the expense.

 

[Kean]

Well where I stand ATM I figure, I'll save up for maybe the Griot's? since people seem to like it a lot; but otoh, I mean--It's not like I'm doing this as a business--so for now I figure I'll deal with not being able to get into the intricate areas--if it bothers me that much i figure I'd do it by hand (I mean how big can those sections be?) although I'm thinking about getting a smaller backing plate with pads for the flex ... i just dunno if that's a good idea? lol

....I'm not doing this for a living either, which is why the PC got me through all these years. I only bought the Flex because of my back and hip problems (which are getting worse with age). Long sessions with the PC were really beginning to aggravate both.

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

So after experimenting with my flex, I've resorted to using the edge to hit those tight spots--I guess my biggest thing was some cars have trim in the middle of that little strip on the sides of the windshields? (what the heck is that beam called?)



I mean In your opinions, for the smaller pads, what would your pick of machine be?

 

[Kean]

--I guess my biggest thing was some cars have trim in the middle of that little strip on the sides of the windshields? (what the heck is that beam called?)

....the beams next to the windscreen are the "a-pillars" and beams directly behind the driver/front passenger seats are the "b-pillars" The beams to the sides of the rear window are usually the "c-pillars" (unless there is an additional pillar in between the "b" and the rear window pillars, then it would be the "d-pillar"):

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

you're the man

 

[Accumulator]

I mean In your opinions, for the smaller pads, what would your pick of machine be?

I would always pick the Griot's over the other similar units as I believe it to be the best of its type (at least currently/commonly available)

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

I was thinking along those line too...think I'll hold off till next year--but thinking--in the event that I don't....lately I've just doing a lot of experimentation and stuff (figure the only way to get better is to research and get hands on experience) luckily for me, I've had a lot of cars to practice with (the trade off is for my work is a free detail for them so i say it's fair) Thanks Accum