Flex vs rotary....

wannafbody · 11-17-07, 08:40

No doubt the Flex is a very nice machine but when you can buy a rotary for as low as $20 up to $200 it begs a question as to which is a better choice. The Flex is less likely to do serious damage if misused. The Flex also uses a relatively low rotation speed. A rotary at 1000 rpm with a light cut pad and medium polish will tackle swirls and is relatively safe. Bumping up the rpm and adding a wool pad makes for really serious corrective ability. After using a rotary it's a good idea to follow up with a RO for a perfect hollogram free finish. I see the biggest advantage of the Flex as a one machine operation for moderate defect removal but I don't think it can match the shear corrective ability of a rotary at 2000 rpm. Any Flex users also own a rotary? For a pro I think a rotary would be a better choice provided they already owned a PC, UDM or Cyclo.

cheapshot · 11-18-07, 04:06

I just bought the Dewalt VS849, never used a rotary before in my life. I have used the PC for a few years and my hands for a few years also.

I had a few little issues as a first time user, I used SSR2.5 and polishing pad, at 1000-1300RPM and I have to say I was left with very little haze and the swirls were a joke for this machine. i would have been there all day with my PC. I saw a bit of hazing so i used my PC and SSR1 and the paint looked fab. the car was a dark blue otherwise it would be hard to see hazing.

JuneBug · 11-18-07, 07:05

I have a PC and Makita, I thought seriously about the Cyclo then decided against it because of the money - $265 plus $115 for the Edge pads, I know they're cheaper routes but that was the combo I wanted. I'm considering the Flex, but it is a bit pricey. I had the opportunity to work in my friend's bodyshop yesterday, first time using a DeWalt and 3M products. Wow, I'm very impressed with the 3M pads, enough so to go buy a full set and sell or trade my Edge foam pads. Also, with his coaching and the 3M products, I'm started thinking that maybe I need to use my own makita more.

frostydog · 11-18-07, 01:36

I think you summed it up wannafbody...for a pro who already has a rotary and PC, the Flex would be an investment to increase process rate. Instead of 2 passes (rotary correction then PC finish) for most details you could essentially accomplish both correction and finish with only one pass with the Flex. Cetainly for serious correction I can't imagine the Flex competing with a wool pad rotary at 2000RPM's. I should also note...while I have used a rotary, I do not own one and would not call myself proficient with one.

CMA just started selling the Flex...and while their price isn't the best, they do have one of their usual "personal thoughts" write-ups about the Flex. He seems to feel the Flex has 90% of the correcting ability of a rotary. That's kinda an open-ended statement though...is he comparing orange pad on each, with the rotary at a speed of 1500rpms or a wool pad at 2000rpms???

Regardless, it's not a cheap machine and hopefully it's price is supported over time by years if reliable service. But I guess what it comes down to is...what's the payback for a pro to eliminate a step from X percent of their details?

z06meister · 11-18-07, 01:54

Does a Flex have forced rotation mode like the Makita BO6040 does? I have a PC7336, Makita BO6040 and Makita 9227. I rarely use my PC anymore. My rotary cannot be replaced but the 6040 saves me a lot of time on some jobs since it does not produce the splatter that my rotary does. Although it does have its negative points like only being able to use a 6 or 6.5" pad.

JuneBug · 11-18-07, 03:48

It's my understanding that the Flex has forced rotation - unlike the B060640, it's on all the time. But of the dozen or so Flex users here and elsewhere, I've yet to read a negative post.

DJ_JonnyV · 11-18-07, 04:27

Yes, Flex does have forced rotation all the time. At it's highest speed, 6 (also 9600 OPM), the RPM is 480. It is variable from speed 1 thru 6 as well, as is the OPM.

z06meister · 11-18-07, 04:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneBug

It's my understanding that the Flex has forced rotation - unlike the B060640, it's on all the time. But of the dozen or so Flex users here and elsewhere, I've yet to read a negative post.

I always use my 6040 in FR mode anyway.