UPDATE!! Current Dual Action Polisher Comparison - Garry Dean - Tampa, FL

[Kevin Brown]

I assume that`s no-load RPM, correct?

I think so...just like the rest of the machines. Otherwise, they`d have to go through a battery of testing parameters, stating the diameter & type of pad or disc, the pressure, which material it was tested on, wet or dry, which compound or polish, etc.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I think so...just like the rest of the machines. Otherwise, they`d have to go through a battery of testing parameters, stating the diameter & type of pad or disc, the pressure, which material it was tested on, wet or dry, which compound or polish, etc.

Right, gotcha.









Well, I just broke down and ordered an HD Polisher; I`ll be very interested to see how it compares to my Meguiars DAs.

[SSizzlin']

Right, gotcha.









Well, I just broke down and ordered an HD Polisher; I`ll be very interested to see how it compares to my Meguiars DAs.

If you get one that spins, it`s a beast!

[C. Charles Hahn]

If you get one that spins, it`s a beast!

Trust me, if it doesn`t spin, it`s getting returned/exchanged

[fabz]

It would be interesting to watch a video review of the results these polishers can get.



Divide a heavily swirled/water marked black bonnet in 4 and use the same cutting pads and compound to see which one cuts better, then step 2 - polishing, same polishing pads and polish, then step 3, finishing, same all... which one finished better?



The fact that it has that much more torque doesn`t exactly guarantee the best results. I have used a Flex 3401 for about 2.5 years and have never been that impressed with it`s cutting ability (maybe my cutting ability?) and it has forced rotation. Had to grab a rotary several times for real scratch removal.



Also a side by side comparison with this new 3d polisher and the Flex for cutting would be quite interesting.



Good effort anyway for doing the video.

[Garry Dean]

It would be interesting to watch a video review of the results these polishers can get.



Divide a heavily swirled/water marked black bonnet in 4 and use the same cutting pads and compound to see which one cuts better, then step 2 - polishing, same polishing pads and polish, then step 3, finishing, same all... which one finished better?



The fact that it has that much more torque doesn`t exactly guarantee the best results. I have used a Flex 3401 for about 2.5 years and have never been that impressed with it`s cutting ability (maybe my cutting ability?) and it has forced rotation. Had to grab a rotary several times for real scratch removal.



Also a side by side comparison with this new 3d polisher and the Flex for cutting would be quite interesting.



Good effort anyway for doing the video.

What speed would you like to see the comparison vs the flex?



Also, would you prefer 6.5" pads on the flex vs 5.5 on the HD polisher?

[Accumulator]

I have used a Flex 3401 for about 2.5 years and have never been that impressed with it`s cutting ability (maybe my cutting ability?) and it has forced rotation. Had to grab a rotary several times for real scratch removal..

IME the Flex 3401`s aggressiveness is highly pad/product dependent, and not always in the way one might expect. I haven`t touched either of my rotaries since I got my Flex approach dialed in (for the paints I work on). It seems to do *really* well with the burgundy foam Meguiar`s cutting pads (both the older 7006 and the newer version) for some reason; other pads that "oughta work at least as well" simply don`t, at least for me.

[fabz]

What speed would you like to see the comparison vs the flex?



Also, would you prefer 6.5" pads on the flex vs 5.5 on the HD polisher?

You`re right Garry, there are too many variables when doing a comparison test and it would require an extensive experience with both polishers to basically bring out the best of each machine and see which one wins = more defect removal in a X number of passes.



BTW great idea that little cord clip, do you remove it from the collar every time you put the polisher down?

[Garry Dean]

You`re right Garry, there are too many variables when doing a comparison test and it would require an extensive experience with both polishers to basically bring out the best of each machine and see which one wins = more defect removal in a X number of passes.



BTW great idea that little cord clip, do you remove it from the collar every time you put the polisher down?

Thanks! I love it, but I guess you can tell. No, there is no need to remove the clip as the cord clips in and out effortlessly. You should order one from 3D.



3D Car Care; Car Wash, Car Wax, Auto Detailing supplies, Car Polishers, Car Buffers & accessories store

[fabz]

IME the Flex 3401`s aggressiveness is highly pad/product dependent, and not always in the way one might expect. I haven`t touched either of my rotaries since I got my Flex approach dialed in (for the paints I work on). It seems to do *really* well with the burgundy foam Meguiar`s cutting pads (both the older 7006 and the newer version) for some reason; other pads that "oughta work at least as well" simply don`t, at least for me.

I imagine soft paint?

[Accumulator]

I imagine soft paint?

No, quit the opposite. I`m mostly working on Audi and GM clear; I consider Audi clear "normal" for me. When I do my Fords (medium paint, sure not "soft") it`s like cutting butter by comparison.



I do prefer the MF cutting disks for serious correction, but those Meg`s maroon foam pads just *work* for me for some reason.

[Superior Shine]

I only watched the video and didn`t read through the entire posts so please forgive me if my question has been answered.



Why is it important for a dual action polisher not to bog down when excessive pressure is applied to it? I believe to "crank down" on a machine so that it bogs down is improper use of that machine.

[imported_RZJZA80]

I only watched the video and didn`t read through the entire posts so please forgive me if my question has been answered.



Why is it important for a dual action polisher not to bog down when excessive pressure is applied to it? I believe to "crank down" on a machine so that it bogs down is improper use of that machine.

To some people it`s important, to others it`s not. You`re correct, you shouldn`t be putting THAT much pressure on a polisher in the first place, but I think it was done to show how much power the unit had and how it`s difficult to stop it from rotating.

[Garry Dean]

I only watched the video and didn`t read through the entire posts so please forgive me if my question has been answered.



Why is it important for a dual action polisher not to bog down when excessive pressure is applied to it? I believe to "crank down" on a machine so that it bogs down is improper use of that machine.

Yes, Joe, that has already been discussed, and you`re right, using as much pressure as I was demonstrating is, in fact improper use. I shot this video to demonstrate power under load and that only. The HD machine definitely had the most. Whether that`s important to you or not is up to you. I am sure you`ve heard the saying, "if it ain`t spinning, you ain`t cutting." Well, that`s what this video is for. I must have gotten 10 calls when I received the polisher asking me what the power was like.



I am now experiencing some major overheating with the machine, I am not sure what is going on with these things, but it`s not good. Mine still runs fine, but gets really hot really fast.

[C. Charles Hahn]

You know, I was thinking about this last night after getting mine in. In kit form they`re selling for $149.99, which includes three pads and a 16oz. bottle of SPEED. Right off the bat, that`s $43.96 (retail) of products. If we call the carrying case (being very generous) ~$20 retail, that leaves us with just over $85 retail for the polisher itself -- significantly cheaper than any other DA of this type on the market.



From a value proposition standpoint, perhaps we`re expecting too much of these machines? They were clearly built with the idea of being a knock-off of the Porter Cable, which could ultimately prove to be good or bad.

I am now experiencing some major overheating with the machine, I am not sure what is going on with these things, but it`s not good. Mine still runs fine, but gets really hot really fast.

Can you tell where the overheating is coming from? Is it in the head/spindle assembly? Or is the electric motor overheating?



I definitely think I`m going to be tearing mine down to grease the gear drive and bearing/spindle assembly, in hopes that it will prevent those sort of issues and also smooth out the operation a bit.