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

[Tru_Shine]

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.

Yeah but which one has the biggest boobs? Flex or Festool?

[Thomas Dekany]

Well my FLex 3401 was giving my trouble (wouldn`t turn on at times) and decided to send it to Powerhouse to have it repaired. It was used a lot only for about 2.5 months. :buffing::buffing::buffing:

[Accumulator]

Well my FLex 3401 was giving my trouble ...[image of repair order]...

Do you feel you were using it very aggressively? I`m wondering if a) they just replaced a lot of stuff because they give that level of service or b) it was really *in need* of all those repairs :think:



Heh heh, comparing that to my Cyclo...>20 years, some of that in a commercial setting, they said it didn`t really need *anything* when I sent it in.

[Thomas Dekany]

Do you feel you were using it very aggressively? I`m wondering if a) they just replaced a lot of stuff because they give that level of service or b) it was really *in need* of all those repairs :think:

I don`t know if it was the workload. I`d say it was "a"



This flex was my second one. The first one was stolen and worked fine for about 2 years.



I am hoping that NOW I have a perfect flex that will last. My flex rotary was replaced at the same time. (autogeek).



So far so good.

[Accumulator]

tdekany- OK, roger that, thanks for the reply. Some people seem to, *IMO*, really give their Flexes a workout, and I wondered if that was the case here. Glad to hear your (unfortunately stolen) one gave such good service.

[Thomas Dekany]

tdekany- OK, roger that, thanks for the reply. Some people seem to, *IMO*, really give their Flexes a workout, and I wondered if that was the case here. Glad to hear your (unfortunately stolen) one gave such good service.

I did give it a workout the last 2 months, but that is why it is built well - one should be able to use it all day every day.



I am just glad it is back now. Giving a class sunday and I am sure this is the polisher most would be interested trying out. :woot2:

[Accumulator]

.. Giving a class sunday and I am sure this is the polisher most would be interested trying out. :woot2:

It`ll be interesting to hear feedback from new-to-it users if you get a chance to post something.

[SSizzlin']

[COLOR="Navy"][COLOR="Navy"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]To achieve the numbers you did, I assume you took the throw x pie x maximum OPM. The problem is that the Flex only achieves a maximum unloaded OPM of 4800, not the advertised 9600. This (not pad direction which is irrelevant when we discuss 360 degrees of movement) is likely why you have found the Makita to generate more power.



At a maximum speed of 4800 (10 orbits fixed per 1 revolution at a throw of 7.9375 mm) (7.9375 x 3.14 x 4800) would move a point on the pad about 119,634 mm per minute on the Flex.



At a maximum speed of 5800 (8.66 orbits fixed per 1 revolution at a throw of 5.563 mm) (5.5563 x 3.14 x 5800) would move a point on the pad about 101,191 mm per minute on the Makita.

Using this formula, the Festool would be (4.7625 x 3.14 x 6800) = 101,688.9



So, the OPM`s are very close with the Makita and Festool, with the festool having a slight edge. However, the MAX RPM of the Makita is rated at 670 while the Festool is rated at 660. How can the Makita have more MAX RPM`s, yet slighty less MM`s per minute? Is it because of the slighty larger stroke of the Makita?



When removing defects, it would be best to use forced rotation mode. When finish polishing(2nd or 3rd step), would it be best to use non-forced rotation mode?

[SSizzlin']

I`m more of a r/o person myself using the Kevin Brown method and this is where the Festool shines over any other machine on the market.

Taking what you`ve said into account, you might as well have went with the Griot`s ROP and saved yourself $350. The Griot`s compared to the Festool has more amps, more watts, and a larger stroke. With the exception of vibration(which isn`t bad with the Griot`s), the Griots has more potential to correct as a non forced random orbital. I would only buy the Makita or Festool because of the forced rotation mode, that`s where these polishers are supposed to shine as far as correction ability. In non-forced mode there is a more powerful polisher out there that`s a lot less money!

[gmblack3]

Taking what you`ve said into account, you might as well have went with the Griot`s ROP and saved yourself $350. The Griot`s compared to the Festool has more amps, more watts, and a larger stroke. With the exception of vibration(which isn`t bad with the Griot`s), the Griots has more potential to correct as a non forced random orbital. I would only buy the Makita or Festool because of the forced rotation mode, that`s where these polishers are supposed to shine as far as correction ability. In non-forced mode there is a more powerful polisher out there that`s a lot less money!

From what I read, the Griot`s R/O has more vibes then the Meg G110v2. I can tell you for sure that the Festool has approx have the vibes of the G110v2.



Contrary to popular belief, you really don`t need the most powerful machine R/O to get the job done. I could of done any correction that I have performed in the last 16 months with a 7424.



I prefer the machine which is the most comfortable to use during a 10 hour polishing session. The Festool FEQ 150 is that machine and provides more then enough power in r/o mode to get the job done. I don`t even use the forced orbit mode.

[SSizzlin']

From what I read, the Griot`s R/O has more vibes then the Meg G110v2. I can tell you for sure that the Festool has approx have the vibes of the G110v2.



Contrary to popular belief, you really don`t need the most powerful machine R/O to get the job done. I could of done any correction that I have performed in the last 16 months with a 7424.



I prefer the machine which is the most comfortable to use during a 10 hour polishing session. The Festool FEQ 150 is that machine and provides more then enough power in r/o mode to get the job done. I don`t even use the forced orbit mode.

I can`t argue with that!



I was leaning heavily towards the Festool, but the deal breaker for me was it being so loud. I don`t want to have to war earplugs, or have the neighbors be pissed at me. I went with the Makita BO6040 instead. I hope I made a good choice?

[gmblack3]

I can`t argue with that!



I was leaning heavily towards the Festool, but the deal breaker for me was it being so loud. I don`t want to have to war earplugs, or have the neighbors be pissed at me. I went with the Makita BO6040 instead. I hope I made a good choice?

Yes the "loudness" can be an issue. I wear earplugs at my FT job, so not an issue for me. Please let us know what you think of the Makita.

[SSizzlin']

Yes the "loudness" can be an issue. I wear earplugs at my FT job, so not an issue for me. Please let us know what you think of the Makita.

Will do.



Does Festool give you an OPM and RPM break down of speed settings 1-6 in the instruction manual?



Thanks Bryan.

[gmblack3]

Will do.



Does Festool give you an OPM and RPM break down of speed settings 1-6 in the instruction manual?



Thanks Bryan.

instruction manual? :think: :laugh:



I`ll see if I can dig it up.

[SSizzlin']

Just used the BO6040 for the first time. In rotary mode, the Flex 3401 is much smoother, IMO. The pad seems to want to skip with the BO6040, never had this problem with the Flex 3401. Also, in random orbital mode, when using a 6.5" pad, even with just a little pressure on the highest speed, the pad stops rotating!! What the hell is up with that?? Do most not use random orbital mode with the BO6040? Thank God I have a money back guarantee on this!