Flex pads

How do the guys that have the Flex 3401 like them? Does this compare to a Makita or a Hitacthi? I do not have either, but from my understanding these are top of the line. I will probably buy a Flex in a few weeks. Got a little cash coming in. I'll probably buy some more products too. What's the latest and the best out there?

Waxes, tire dressing, compounds. I love the Menzerna and Pinnacle lines. Just ordered

106ff. Fellow Autopians thoughts Please!:work:
 
dsms...I'm sure they'll work fine. Just make sure you keep the pad primed and if it starts "skipping", try spraying the pad lightly with a pad primer or QD. I believe the pads everyone has tried thus far "work" fine; we're all just trying to find pads that suit us optimally. Once you give it a go a few times, you may (or may not) want to try some other pad types. Also, be careful with the backing plate, it's hard and with a 6.5" pad you'll only have minimal protection from pad overhang. Nothing to be super concerned with, just pay attention.



Showroom Shine...all you have to do is do a search. There's a few posts about the Flex, I'm pretty sure thus far everyone is very happy with it. Don't confuse a rotary with a forced rotation random orbital...they're very different machines. The "search" button should answer all your questions.



Superchargedg...oh, wool pads. I thought about trying wool pads. I have some reservations about how well they would work though. I'm not certain if the 8mm throw would be enough to effectively work the nap of the wool. I'm really thinking the rotation motion is what's needed with wool and I'm not sure the Flex produces enough. I would have probably given them a try if the 7.5" pads didn't work out so well. I'm pretty sure they're now my pad of choice. I just got back from finishing up my car this morning and I'm very pleased with the 7.5" pads...they offer all the benefits (in one pad) that I've been looking for. Although...if you decide to try the wool pads, certianly let us know.



Final note....the more I use it, the more I love my Flex, this things great!! :heelclick
 
Frostydog- did you notice any time difference with the larger pads? Meaning, did it take you longer to correct versus a smaller pad?

I wouldn't mind getting some more 6.5 concave ccs' but I'm just scared that the red velcro will come off. I want to get smaller pads with the smaller bp just in case, then buy more pads for the larger bp. Hell with the smaller bp I can use the 6.5 that I have now, wouldn't that be like what you're doing with the 7.5 and the bp that came with the flex?
 
MobileJay said:
Frostydog- did you notice any time difference with the larger pads? Meaning, did it take you longer to correct versus a smaller pad?

I wouldn't mind getting some more 6.5 concave ccs' but I'm just scared that the red velcro will come off. I want to get smaller pads with the smaller bp just in case, then buy more pads for the larger bp. Hell with the smaller bp I can use the 6.5 that I have now, wouldn't that be like what you're doing with the 7.5 and the bp that came with the flex?
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No difference in time. Though the pad is larger and you'd think that would be detrimental to correction time...there is actually slightly less pad surface on the paint compared to a 6.5" pad. With a 6.5" pad (if level) there is 6.5" of foam in contact with the paint. But with the 7.5" pads, since the shape of the pad allows the outer edges of the pad to curve or lift off the paint, the actual contact area is more like 6". I measured this by wetting the bottom of the pad (while attached to the Flex) and pressing on a piece of cardboard with the amount of pressure I would under normal use (a fair amount of pressure). This left a round-ish wet mark on the cardboard and I then measure the wet circle. It was about 6�, which makes sense because it’s only the area of the backing plate that is getting direct pressure. The remaining outer surface of the pad isn’t touching the paint.



Take a look at a 7.5" pad (at any of the major sites) they are very different than "concave" 6.5" pads. The 7.5" pads are convex or mushroom shaped and if placed level on the paint the outer edges of the pads will not be in contact with the paint. However, if you need a nice clean outer edge of the pad to work with you need only twist your trigger hand slightly (to either side) and the pad will “roll� to its side. That lets you use the outer ends of the pad. Rolling to the side of the pad also lifts the opposite side of the pad completely off the paint and you’re basically using only a 3-4� inch surface of the pad, as mentioned in my post above, I found this quite useful for tight areas.



The mushroom shape also allows the pad to hover over the paint better and work in and out of contours much better than a flat (strait edge) pad. Think of a sled...sleds aren't flat for a reason. This is all kinda hard to explain, if you have any other questions I'll try my best to answer…but give one a try; you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.



I'm also thinking the 7.5" pads will work fine with the new 5.5" replacement BP. Really the "RED" BP is more like 5.9" so it's not that much of a difference.
 
is it much harder to center the pad with the larger one? Just the slightest amount off set seems to me that it would shake a lot.

I might give one a try. Thanks a lot for the reply
 
It wasn't hard to center, but if it's off center it is pretty noticable. When I was going back and forth between the 2 pad sizes checking the vibrations, I did center it wrong once. The backing plate kind of sits inside a 7.5" pad and the red BP takes up the enitre "seat" of the pad. So it wasn't too hard. But I was thinking of making a centering post...that should be really easy to do, then it would be perfectly centered every time.
 
frostydog said:
It wasn't hard to center, but if it's off center it is pretty noticable. When I was going back and forth between the 2 pad sizes checking the vibrations, I did center it wrong once. The backing plate kind of sits inside a 7.5" pad and the red BP takes up the enitre "seat" of the pad. So it wasn't too hard. But I was thinking of making a centering post...that should be really easy to do, then it would be perfectly centered every time.
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Hi frostydog, read your reports on the 7.5" pads and im thinking of giving it a try as well. Just received my Flex and it came with 5" BP which is perfect for my current 6.5" CCS pads.



But obviously i'll need a bigger BP to run 7.5" pads....so do you know if Powerhouse sells the 6" BP? Do they have an email address coz im in Australia.



Or anyone out there wants to sell their 6" BP? ;)
 
Allan...I'm not sure if PH sells the original 6" BP. The 7.5" pads would "probably" work with a 5" BP, that is...I can't see why they wouldn't. I thought 5.5" was to be the new std size BP???



I'm wondering with all these changes in BP sizes, how is the change in weight being accomodated for. Or maybe all these BPs weigh the same, but you'd think there would need to be new counter weights as well.
 
frostydog said:
Allan...I'm not sure if PH sells the original 6" BP. The 7.5" pads would "probably" work with a 5" BP, that is...I can't see why they wouldn't. I thought 5.5" was to be the new std size BP???



I'm wondering with all these changes in BP sizes, how is the change in weight being accomodated for. Or maybe all these BPs weigh the same, but you'd think there would need to be new counter weights as well.
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nope, double checked last nite and my BP is definately 5" :) i just thought that if i had the 6" BP it would be a much better fit for the 7.5" pads.
 
frostydog said:
Allan...I'm not sure if PH sells the original 6" BP. The 7.5" pads would "probably" work with a 5" BP, that is...I can't see why they wouldn't. I thought 5.5" was to be the new std size BP???



I'm wondering with all these changes in BP sizes, how is the change in weight being accomodated for. Or maybe all these BPs weigh the same, but you'd think there would need to be new counter weights as well.
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5.5" will be the standard BP ... when they come in. However, because of the issues with the 6" red velcro plate, it appears that Flex first came out with an interim black velcro 6" plate which didn't work so well either. Then they went to an interim 5" BP. The final iteration should be the 5.5" plate.



For those who bought their Flex after the issue was discovered with the red velcro BP, they were either sent a black 6" BP or a black 5" BP depending on when they ordered their polisher. I was sent a black 5" plate. Anyone now ordering a Flex or asking for a warranty replacement BP will also probably receive a 5" BP until the 5.5" BP comes in.



I'm on the list to receive a 5.5" BP when they come in.



In terms of accommodating the changes in weight, I can say that the 5" BP is much denser than the red 6" plate. Without a scale, I'd bet that they are pretty close in weight if not exactly the same weight.
 
cjbigcog said:
My flex came with the black bp. It has been ok so far. Is the issue the same as with the red one?
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If you got the 6" BP with the black velcro, DJ_JonnyV ripped his velcro off while taking a pad off after spinning it to dry. So, it would be the same issue as with the red one. I haven't heard of others having any problems.



If you have the 5" BP, I haven't heard of any issues. And I haven't used mine yet, so I couldn't tell you how well it holds up.
 
Yeah, I thought the black 6" bp they initially sent me as a replacement was going to be bulletproof, but something didn't seem right when I went to dry the pad on 6 and it was wobbling all over the place. Stopped it, looked at the black velcro barely hanging on and thought, "sh!t!". I reverted back to the red velcro bp. As long as you let it cool down a little between changing pads and are very gentle when taking the pads off, you should be fine with the red bp until the replacements come in.
 
I've had my Flex for a few weeks now. I've been experimenting with different pads. Waffle, flat, convex, concave, 51/2, 61/2, 5, 6, 71/2, I tried all that I have that would attach. Black, green, orange, blue, gray. Most of these I had from a previous order of product from AG. Two diferent manufactors. I really like the 61/2 so far. Seems like the larger the pad the lest the vibration. Which to me is not much at all. The machine makes the work easier too. I have not been able to really spend hours using the machine though. But for the short periods of time I have used it I love the Flex! Can't wait until spring in Ohio! I'm working on down loadind my picks to the net. Hopefully I'll have some in the spring!:buffing:
 
Showroom Shine said:
I've had my Flex for a few weks now. I've been experimenting with different pads. Waffle, flat, convex, concave, 51/2, 61/2, 5, 6, 71/2, I tried all that I have that would attach. I really like the 61/2 so far. Seems like the larger the pad the lest the vibration. Which to me is not much at all. The machine makes the work easier too. I have not been able to really spend hours using the machine though. But for the short periods of time I have used it I love the Flex! Can't wait until spring in Ohio! :buffing:
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Interesting, I was about to drop some $$$ on some new pads, but guess I'll wait and see when I get my Flex next year...
 
Just an update on pad availability...



Looks like there are a couple new pad options from AG. I know other vendors offer 5.5" pads, but I don't believe I remember seeing them at AG before. They're really cheap. Has anyone had any serious time spent using 5.5" pads with the Flex...if so, thoughts??



Cobra Cross Grooveâ„¢ 6.5 Inch Flex Foam Buffing Pads,cobra foam polishing pads,foam buffer pads,dual action pads,cross groove pads,waffle pads



CCS foam buffing pads,foam polishing pads,lake country foam pads,foam polisher pads,buffer pads,lake county pads,porter cable pads,pads for air sander



I’m not sure if I’m buying into all the “talk� about the cross-grooves.



And I’m still not sure how comfortable I’d be with the 5.5� pads, zero over-hang from the backing plate? However, on an open area, a 5.5� lightweight, low profile yellow with a strong polish/compound and the Flex will probably do some serious correction.
 
Ive been using 5.5" flat pads from AG and they have worked better/faster IMO, then the 6.5" CCS pads i have also.
 
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