Finally Tested the Flex

[a.k.a. Patrick]

RAG, thanks for the review. Im still anticipating a jump to rotary here before summer. I thought about the Flex for a brief period, but its really quite expensive for a RO.

If it cant do what a rotary can do, and RAGS and SM tell me theres "nothin to a rotary", then Im goin rotary, soon...........

For me the UDM was a step ahead. I dont need to improve on the UDM. I just need to take the rotary plunge.......

[Gen2]

Thanks Rag for your review and in fact I have the same experience as you. I believe we have to read Rag`s comment carfully,



First, I will say that it is without a doubt much harder to use than a rotary...it might be safer and thus better for NOOBs, but a rotary doesn`t like to "pull" around nearly as much and is thus easier to control.



As compare to a rotary, the flex tends to "pull" around like what Rag mentioned and there is no doubt about it, so in term of control I too feel that the rotary is easier. BUT when I say easier to control that does not mean it is safer (as Rag mentioned), a rotary will still burn paint easier as compare to the Flex. However, the Flex will correct defects faster than any other orbital machines I have used so far.

[Thomas Dekany]

I agree with RAG as well, as I have stated the very same thing. The rotary is much smoother. However once you get the hang of it, it gets easier. I also use the side handle which makes thing easier to control. I will say that the flex is closer to the rotary then the udm.

[imported_Detailing Technology]

I should have my Flex this week. I am not sure if it was a wise purchase. I use a rotary and have for 20 years. I sometimes bring the PC in for final polishing, this is where I planned to implement the Flex. I also plaaned to ust it on middle-of-the-road finishes that werent so bad.



Maybe it was a waste?



I`m also still amazed at how many people out there are detailing cars and doing corrections with out owning a rotary.

[gmblack3]

As a rotary user I never saw the need for a flex. I think it was in Nov. the last time I took the PC out of my bag.

[Johnold]

This a good review, thanks. I`m still interested in getting a Flex. I`m a first time buffer/polisher machine user and this new Flex is something i`d like to buy. I was first going with the Makita 9227 rotary but had a second though about it. Someone pointed me in the right direction with the Flex buffer, so I read it and seen a demo vid on it and how it works and was hooked!. It`s much more safer too. I`m about ready to buy my Flex XC 3401 VRG with the total package of pads and polishes it comes with if you wanted to buy the whole kit. If you scroll all the way down, you`ll see what i`m talking about. Can someone tell me if all the extras that come with the Flex VRG are top quality and a must have???. THANKS



Flex XC 3401 VRG - Detailed Image

[Thomas Dekany]

I should have my Flex this week. I am not sure if it was a wise purchase. I use a rotary and have for 20 years. I sometimes bring the PC in for final polishing, this is where I planned to implement the Flex. I also plaaned to ust it on middle-of-the-road finishes that werent so bad.



Maybe it was a waste?



I`m also still amazed at how many people out there are detailing cars and doing corrections with out owning a rotary.

It was not a waste. You`ll see.

[imported_themightytimmah]

Thanks for saving me $290. I was looking at a Flex as the solve-all for finicky paint, but I guess it`s probably just better to suck it up with a soft pad and UltraFina. The speed of correction issue is big for me too - a lot of my details start in the evening, and I`ve gotta get home sometime. Guess I`ll stick with the big dog 9227.

[DM101]

I ordered the Flex a few days ago from Power House Tools? POWERHOUSE DISTRIBUTING. They still had a few in stock at 264.00 ... I just hope it will be better than my UDM. I like the UDM though but always looking for something better.

[wannafbody]

I`d suggest that the Flex is similar to the PC in that firmer pads would probably work better at breaking down the abrasives. I`ve never had good results from finishing pads with polishes on a PC. Soft pads on a rotary hands down.

[imported_Detailing Technology]

It was not a waste. You`ll see.

Really? I have a car on the 24th that I was looking to break in with the Flex. I hope it works as I plan.

[jetset4me]

One person has his negative opinion on the Flex and now everyone is having doubts. If that`s the case then the Everglades is a nice place to build a house. Of course, that`s my opinion!

[LanceM]

coming from a udm user,at first the flex does pull you around corners and is a little harder to control. However, after minor correction (not putting as much force etc) it was much easier to control. Also, you dont have to use the flex at speed 6 (harder to control). I found that at 5 it still broke down menzerna probably twice as fast.



As far as finicky paint, I used the flex on black toyota paint and had no micromaring issues at all.

[Setec Astronomy]

One person has his negative opinion on the Flex and now everyone is having doubts.

I agree...RAG is a pro who uses a rotary every day, his perspective, although accurate for pros in the same situation, may be different than that of an occasional UDM/PC user (or that type of hobbyist who has no machine now). I`m just saying that we have machine users here coming from all different angles and perspectives and there isn`t going to be one right answer for everyone.

[Hey, Moe!]

Setec makes a good point. We are all coming from different places in the "detailing galaxy," so we`re going to have different viewpoints and opinions.



For me, I am interested in this thread because I have used my PC on my vehicles for a number of years, but I have run into a few issues with friends where I couldn`t correct to the level I wanted.



I am looking to buy either a rotary or a Flex, so I am very interested in this.