Dispatch
Member
With a Flex 3401 polisher, does anyone make smaller extension bar attachments that fit the 3401, which will let you polish those hard to reach areas especially when polishing a motorcycle? :hmmm:
Flex 3401, Attachments?
- Thread starter Dispatch
- Start date
JustJesus
New member
I`ve searched high and low for anything and everything 3401 related. I have not come across such attachments.
Buff daddy (search internet) makes extensions for some tools, and I think that includes the Nano, and some of the 3" machines.
No extensions for 3401. Small backing plate? Lake Country has the adapter plate that you can use with 4" pads
Buff daddy (search internet) makes extensions for some tools, and I think that includes the Nano, and some of the 3" machines.
No extensions for 3401. Small backing plate? Lake Country has the adapter plate that you can use with 4" pads
There is a backing plate for 4" pads for the XC3401 Flex polisher from the Autopia Store:
https://www.autopia-carcare.com/flex-backing-plate-system.html#.Xm_wi3JKj3g
BUT, you are looking for a backing plate that accepts 3" or 2" pads, and this is kind of a design-conundrum because of inherent gear-drive ring on the plate itself that "limits" the size reduction of the plate to accept the smaller pad diameter.
That said, my idea would be to have a cone-shaped backing plate the reduces down to the size to accept the 3" and 2` diameter pads, keeping the pad area away from the gear-drive ring, almost like an extension rod, but in the shape of a cone. The "problem" or drawback to this design is how it balances the pad area with the pad on it because it is so far from the point of rotational drive. So what looks feasible on paper is probably a bad design in reality and function. (Ah, the joys of engineering design!) In other words, the 3401 was never really designed for smaller pads. NOT that it cannot be done, but then a flat-tipped screw driver is not a pry bar tool, but it doesn`t mean it cannot be used as one (until you break the tip off! Been there, done that!)
My suggestion? Buy a dedicated tool like the Griot`s Garage G8 OR Adam`s new Swirl Killer Mini 12mm LT OR a small rotary like the Flex PE8 Kompact rotary designed specifically for smaller pads. But then it is easy for me to spend other people`s money on detailing equipment!
That said, if you are detailing and polishing motorcycles on a regular basis, a specialized tool for this purpose makes sense (a pun ironically to someone who is "detailing budget challenged", AKA, poor or financially constrained by one`s "significant other"!)
In other words, if you are going to pry things a a lot, you REALLY need to have a dedicated pry bar in your tool box and save your flat-tipped screw driver for slotted screws.
https://www.autopia-carcare.com/flex-backing-plate-system.html#.Xm_wi3JKj3g
BUT, you are looking for a backing plate that accepts 3" or 2" pads, and this is kind of a design-conundrum because of inherent gear-drive ring on the plate itself that "limits" the size reduction of the plate to accept the smaller pad diameter.
That said, my idea would be to have a cone-shaped backing plate the reduces down to the size to accept the 3" and 2` diameter pads, keeping the pad area away from the gear-drive ring, almost like an extension rod, but in the shape of a cone. The "problem" or drawback to this design is how it balances the pad area with the pad on it because it is so far from the point of rotational drive. So what looks feasible on paper is probably a bad design in reality and function. (Ah, the joys of engineering design!) In other words, the 3401 was never really designed for smaller pads. NOT that it cannot be done, but then a flat-tipped screw driver is not a pry bar tool, but it doesn`t mean it cannot be used as one (until you break the tip off! Been there, done that!)
My suggestion? Buy a dedicated tool like the Griot`s Garage G8 OR Adam`s new Swirl Killer Mini 12mm LT OR a small rotary like the Flex PE8 Kompact rotary designed specifically for smaller pads. But then it is easy for me to spend other people`s money on detailing equipment!
That said, if you are detailing and polishing motorcycles on a regular basis, a specialized tool for this purpose makes sense (a pun ironically to someone who is "detailing budget challenged", AKA, poor or financially constrained by one`s "significant other"!)
In other words, if you are going to pry things a a lot, you REALLY need to have a dedicated pry bar in your tool box and save your flat-tipped screw driver for slotted screws.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Or that new cordless Flex that has the different strokes, etc....that seems perfect for a motorcycle.
JustJesus
New member
or....this lovely little guy (Flex PXE80) https://www.autopia-carcare.com/flex-pxe80-12ec-kit.html#.XnFPBahKiM8