Metabo PE12-175 or Flex L3403? Input Needed.......

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Deep Gloss Auto Salon

New member
Need to know from the people that have actually used these machines….



Even better if you have worked with both.



Again, please limit discussion to these two machines and 1st hand experience.



Thanks in advance..



I am not going to list all of the pros and cons of each, only those that directly differ from the other being compared.



Metabo PE12-175 Lightweight Rotary Polisher:



Pros:

600 min RPM rpm’s



Cons:

Controls not positioned in an intuitive manner.

More expensive of the two





Flex L3403 VRG Lightweight Rotary Polisher:



Pros:

Intuitively positioned controls

Less expensive of the two



Cons:

1100 min RPM

__________________
 
I've used both machines.



The Metabo was a nice machine, but I hated the ergonomics. It just didn't fit my hands very well. Plus, as you mentioned the controls were not placed in convenient areas.



The Flex is definitely small and light weight. However, I didn't care for this machine either. While the ergonomics were much better than the Metabo, I found it to be very loud and annoying when comparing it to my Makita rotary. I don't really know how to describe it, but it just really bothered my ears, unless I was wearing ear plugs.



My favorite rotary is the Makita 9227C. Ergonomics, weight, speed range, sound, price, are all good IMO.



Here is a video I posted a long time ago comparing the sounds of the Flex and Makita. Around the 1:45 mark, you can really tell how much more annoying the Flex is.



YouTube - Flex vs. Makita
 
mshu7 said:
I've used both machines.



The Metabo was a nice machine, but I hated the ergonomics. It just didn't fit my hands very well. Plus, as you mentioned the controls were not placed in convenient areas.



The Flex is definitely small and light weight. However, I didn't care for this machine either. While the ergonomics were much better than the Metabo, I found it to be very loud and annoying when comparing it to my Makita rotary. I don't really know how to describe it, but it just really bothered my ears, unless I was wearing ear plugs.



My favorite rotary is the Makita 9227C. Ergonomics, weight, speed range, sound, price, are all good IMO.



Here is a video I posted a long time ago comparing the sounds of the Flex and Makita. Around the 1:45 mark, you can really tell how much more annoying the Flex is.



YouTube - Flex vs. Makita
Click to expand...



Hey Mike,



Thanks for your input... I currentkly have (and love) the 9227 but need something small for getting into tight areas.



If your main complaint of the flex was the noise and your main complaint of the metabo is the ergonomics I am going to count your input as favoring the Flex (for my purposes) due to the fact that I wear ear protection most of the time..



Thanks...
 
Deep Gloss Auto Salon said:
Hey Mike,



Thanks for your input... I currentkly have (and love) the 9227 but need something small for getting into tight areas.



If your main complaint of the flex was the noise and your main complaint of the metabo is the ergonomics I am going to count your input as favoring the metab0 (for my purposes) due to the fact that I wear ear protection most of the time..



Thanks...
Click to expand...



Glad to help!



By the way, did you mean favoring the Flex? Since you wear ear protection, you should be fine with the Flex. With better ergonomics and no noise issues with ear protection, it would be a better fit for you, IMO.
 
mshu7 said:
Glad to help!



By the way, did you mean favoring the Flex? Since you wear ear protection, you should be fine with the Flex. With better ergonomics and no noise issues with ear protection, it would be a better fit for you, IMO.
Click to expand...



Ya, typing too fast... You are correct I meant to type "flex"



Thanks again bud!
 
Deep Gloss Auto Salon said:
Hey Mike,



Thanks for your input... I currentkly have (and love) the 9227 but need something small for getting into tight areas.



If your main complaint of the flex was the noise and your main complaint of the metabo is the ergonomics I am going to count your input as favoring the Flex (for my purposes) due to the fact that I wear ear protection most of the time..



Thanks...
Click to expand...



Get the Hitachi right angle drill and put a polishing adapter on it.



Hitachi D10YB 3/8” Right Angle Drill, 4.6 Amp, Dial-in EVS, Reversible



2" & 3" VELCRO MINI SANDING PAD FITS MAC MATCO SNAP ON - eBay (item 230414325814 end time Feb-17-10 07:10:38 PST)



This combination has just about eliminated hand polishing for me.



BTW, if you really want the Metabo in spite of my much better suggestion, PM me. I have a brand new one in a box I'll make you a serious deal. Find your best price and let me know.



Robert
 
twisted007 said:
i really like the flex it has worked out great for me i mostly used the makita which i love only used the metabo once so really did not get a feel for it.

i have since gotten the makita b06040 had it for 2 months now an it is really starting to be my main machine just need a smaller backing plate hint hint for someone to make lol.



Buy Makita BO6040 6 inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander
Click to expand...





You don't need to sell me on the Makita 6040. I've been using it for swirl removal and light cutting for years. With the right cutter and pad, most correction can be handled in one step. The only time I need to bring out my rotary polisher is when I want to cut scratches quickly. Then, my typical routine is, wash, clay, dry, cut with the rotary, remove swirls with the 6040 then seal and wax. BTW, if you follow the link I put in, take note of how I hold the BO6040, that's the grip I've found provides the best, most comfortable control.



Robert
 
lol that's about how i hold it i tried from the top but no go i love this little guy.deep gloss you really have to check it out.
 
WhyteWizard said:
Get the Hitachi right angle drill and put a polishing adapter on it.



Hitachi D10YB 3/8” Right Angle Drill, 4.6 Amp, Dial-in EVS, Reversible



2" & 3" VELCRO MINI SANDING PAD FITS MAC MATCO SNAP ON - eBay (item 230414325814 end time Feb-17-10 07:10:38 PST)



This combination has just about eliminated hand polishing for me.



BTW, if you really want the Metabo in spite of my much better suggestion, PM me. I have a brand new one in a box I'll make you a serious deal. Find your best price and let me know.



Robert
Click to expand...



twisted007 said:
i really like the flex it has worked out great for me i mostly used the makita which i love only used the metabo once so really did not get a feel for it.

i have since gotten the makita b06040 had it for 2 months now an it is really starting to be my main machine just need a smaller backing plate hint hint for someone to make lol.



Buy Makita BO6040 6 inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander
Click to expand...



WhyteWizard said:
You don't need to sell me on the Makita 6040. I've been using it for swirl removal and light cutting for years. With the right cutter and pad, most correction can be handled in one step. The only time I need to bring out my rotary polisher is when I want to cut scratches quickly. Then, my typical routine is, wash, clay, dry, cut with the rotary, remove swirls with the 6040 then seal and wax. BTW, if you follow the link I put in, take note of how I hold the BO6040, that's the grip I've found provides the best, most comfortable control.



Robert
Click to expand...



twisted007 said:
lol that's about how i hold it i tried from the top but no go i love this little guy.deep gloss you really have to check it out.
Click to expand...



Setec Astronomy said:
The Edge 3K Makita BO6040 Conversion Adapter 5/8 -11
Click to expand...



Fellas, fellas, fellas..........



I am all good on a primary tool, just something to round out my arsenal. I am looking for a small, nimble machine to fit into very small areas.



That was why I narrowed the topic to just the two machines (or tried...lol).



I don't plan to ever run either of this with large pads so thermal shutdown is not applicable. Noise is mute since I most of the time wear hearing protection.



So far I am leaning towards the flex...
 
setec lol i read the post jumped on an ordered it lol i can't believe i did not see this before thanks so much i really needed this.





an deep gloss sorry i was excited i love this little machine lol.
 
I really like my Metabo. Some people have had problems with the lightweight Flex overheating, but the Metabo has never given me any problems with 7.5" pads. I agree the controls aren't placed in the right spot, but I don't consider it a big problem. I don't think I'd like being limited to 1100+ rpm.
 
WhyteWizard said:
Deep Gloss,



The small nimble machine is the Hitachi with the adapters, neither of the machines you suggested are either small or nimble, lol.



Robert
Click to expand...



I hear you but small and nimble is relative and my main tool is the 9227 so the two I am looking at will fit the bill for my need/usage...



Thanks Robert:)
 
wfedwar said:
I really like my Metabo. Some people have had problems with the lightweight Flex overheating, but the Metabo has never given me any problems with 7.5" pads. I agree the controls aren't placed in the right spot, but I don't consider it a big problem. I don't think I'd like being limited to 1100+ rpm.
Click to expand...



Good to know... I appreciate your feedback!!!



Thanks
 
I use the Metabo for some of the smaller and tight space jobs or when my hand gets tired from using the 849 and my DeWalt for the rest of the vehicle. I've never had any issues using the Metabo or with the controls. Nice little tool and it does the job well.
 
JonP said:
I use the Metabo for some of the smaller and tight space jobs or when my hand gets tired from using the 849 and my DeWalt for the rest of the vehicle. I've never had any issues using the Metabo or with the controls. Nice little tool and it does the job well.
Click to expand...



Thanks JonP
 
I love my Metabo, very light weight, balanced, super easy to control machine, which might make it the right tool for you.



The dial is in an odd location, and it will heat up when it's warm out and you're running it for 2+ hours.



If someone near you has one, it's worth taking it for a test drive. I'd hate to see you drop that kind of coin for the wrong tool.
 
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