Flex 3401 vs. Festool RO 150FAQ anyone use both?

[imported_WCD]

I also have the dynabrade attachment for my makita, but it adds up to about 13 lbs. so not big on the weight after a few hours of work.

[imported_WhyteWizard]

THOOO1,





From your post. "Because an orbit is 360 degrees both directions spend an equal time moving against the pad’s rotation and with the pad’s rotation."





Robert: Thank you for correcting something I got wrong. I was looking at the way the Flex achieved rotation and seeing that it resulted in a scalloped shape movement, that the a point on the pad would come to a complete stop where the orbit at the center came closest to the housing and reverse direction. In any case, there would be a scallop shape with the arc to the inside. I was thinking this wouldn`t happen that the shape of the movement would be different on the Makita, more of a waveform, because of the drive of the planetary gears. I think I got that wrong, so, good work!



Also, I was thinking that at the center, the orbit would result in movement that totaled the opms times the circumference, I still think that`s true about the flex because it`s that`s movement that creates all the drive, it would happen with or without the interface between the backing plate and the housing but it only happens right in the center, so it can`t be added to the total directly. Again, nice work on your part.







THOOO1: "I do agree that the drive system on the Flex takes more power to operate then the efficient planetary gears on the Makita (not to mention centripetal force will actual want to spin the pad in the same direction as the orbit) but much like race car, the amount of power used to drive the movement doesn’t matter, the amount of power that reaches the rear wheels does.



The Flex is a very hard machine to bog, even with an inefficient drive system, because it is so powerful. It’s like horsepower measured at the wheel, if you have enough to hit redline in top gear, more will not make you faster.



I would assume that the Makita (because of it’s more efficient direction that works with centrifugal force and gearing) is pretty bog resistant as well, although likely not as much as the Flex."



Robert: The Flex only draws .1 amps more than the Makita and I doubt seriously putting enough pressure on either one to cause any bogging at all would be a good idea. You`d be warping the panels on a lot of cars. So, while it may be a factor in determining which machine is under less stress most the time and considering how each will hold up over time, bogging isn`t something I`d suggest you even try.







THOOO1 "I love discussions such as this and appreciate anybody who takes the amount of time to think of such *trivial* things like I do. Open discussion, when kept respectful, and with a common goal (education) is great for everybody. Thanks Robert!"





Robert: I couldn`t agree more. I`m pretty sure you`re used to being the smartest person in the room, it`s been a pleasure talking with you.



BTW, I still think driving the orbit in the direction of the spin creates more movement between the pad and the paint but only because the arc is further from the center more of the time, not because of the over all shape of the movement.

[Accumulator]

Any ideas regarding how the planetary gear system of the Makita would hold up to applied pressure?



I`m merely curious; I don`t want to overemphasize applying pressure, and IMO applying too much pressure is likely to lead to issues with the Flex....but with all the Flex-user talk about backing plate-to-housing contact/lubing the felt ring/ etc. I get the impression that some people do lean on it pretty hard.

[gmblack3]

Festool 6" Sander ETS150/5



Is this the model? There is one on CL for 239 with low hours and I need this or the Flex.



Thanks for those that know, Rob

The festool I have is the 150 FEQ.

[imported_WhyteWizard]

Any ideas regarding how the planetary gear system of the Makita would hold up to applied pressure?



I`m merely curious; I don`t want to overemphasize applying pressure, and IMO applying too much pressure is likely to lead to issues with the Flex....but with all the Flex-user talk about backing plate-to-housing contact/lubing the felt ring/ etc. I get the impression that some people do lean on it pretty hard.

It holds up very well.



Robert

[Accumulator]

WhyteWizard- Ah, OK, roger that.

[Junebug]

Damn it - now I want a BO6040, well, my 51st B-day is only 4 months away and ....

[imported_WhyteWizard]

Damn it - now I want a BO6040, well, my 51st B-day is only 4 months away and ....

By that time I hope to have a decent video up showing exactly how I run it. Notice I didn`t say, "How to use it." That`s because someone else might have a better technique and if they do, I`ll change.



Robert

[Junebug]

Well, the wife and my mom got together and bought a nice electric power washer from Northern Tool this Saturday, and with the little air compressor I got from work bonus points - things are looking up. It takes time to get your shop just the way you want it, and even more time to become good at the tools/products/technique - but it`s an interesting ride!

[Woob]

Great informative discussion

Well, the wife and my mom got together and bought a nice electric power washer from Northern Tool this Saturday, and with the little air compressor I got from work bonus points - things are looking up. It takes time to get your shop just the way you want it, and even more time to become good at the tools/products/technique - but it`s an interesting ride!

Off Topic a little: Which power washer setup did you get?

[Junebug]

Bimma ol chap, where you been? PM sent

[rusty64]

I have Makita 9227 , and think about Dynabrade 61379

How about the Dynabrade 61379 compare to Flex XC 3401VRG and Festool Rotex RO150 FEQ and Makita BO6040 ?



Have any suggestion?

[MichaelM]

I`m going to get a friend of mine to bring his Flex over to the shop and we`ll put a grease pen or something in the pads and run the machines against a surface to show the movement between the pad and the paint and then I`ll post the pictures.

You can also get a good look at the orbit by looking at the backing plate w/o a pad on it. The vent holes in the pad show it well.



I`m a big fan of the 6040`s.

[Barry Theal]

, but I enjoy the theoretical discussions that have little net effect on overall performance.

You should come up here in my neck of the woods! Hell we disuss all kinds of " what ever the dog gone big word" things the have no effect on anything. Just last night we were talking about cows and and how there poop supplies fertilizer for our corn!



What a great thread guys! So far one of the best I have ever read.



Your Backwoods Hick Detailer



P.S. Maw and Paw love what I did to there John Deere, Its the shiniest dag gone tractor this side of Mississippi!

[Junebug]

Reminds me of story of the young man that analized his choices in a wife - with the same level of intensity reserved for the JFK assassination film. In the end, he couldn`t decide and he asked his grandpa, who smiled and said, that`s easy - marry the one with the biggest boobs.