Ordered a Makita

For us old whimpy guys, the Flex 3403 is a good alternative. It weighs about half as much as a Makita. Really makes a difference on those vertical panels.
 
Bee,



You just need to get some arms like mine. ;)





SuperBee364 said:
For us old whimpy guys, the Flex 3403 is a good alternative. It weighs about half as much as a Makita. Really makes a difference on those vertical panels.
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I used a very old B&D buffer for a brief time before I started using the Makita so when I switched to the Makita I thought it was as light as a feather. Its funny that I couldn't wait to upgrade to a new, lighter machine, and then I read this forum and everyone is complaining about the weight. Just goes to show you that what you don't know(many other lighter machines available) won't hurt you. I'm very used to the machine now and wouldn't switch to a lighter one. You get over the fatigue after the first few cars. I also noticed today that I have learned to lean some on my leg for support. It helps keep the buffer steady and decreases fatigue as well.
 
SuperBee364 said:
For us old whimpy guys, the Flex 3403 is a good alternative. It weighs about half as much as a Makita. Really makes a difference on those vertical panels.
Click to expand...



I would sure think so. Is the Flex really half the weight of the Makita?



I wouldn't be surprised. It just doesn't *seem* like the Makita needs to be as heavy as it is.
 
EisenHulk said:
Bee,



You just need to get some arms like mine. ;)
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There's no question about that. :D



Rob Tomlin said:
I would sure think so. Is the Flex really half the weight of the Makita?



I wouldn't be surprised. It just doesn't *seem* like the Makita needs to be as heavy as it is.
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Actually, there's not as much weight difference as I thought. The 3403 is 4.85 pounds, and I'm seeing that the Makita is 6.6. I was thinking that the Makita was around 8.5 or so.



The 3403 is quite a bit noisier, especially above 1200 rpms.
 
SuperBee364 said:
There's no question about that. :D







Actually, there's not as much weight difference as I thought. The 3403 is 4.85 pounds, and I'm seeing that the Makita is 6.6. I was thinking that the Makita was around 8.5 or so.



The 3403 is quite a bit noisier, especially above 1200 rpms.
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Almost two pounds lighter (26% lighter) would probably still make a noticeable (though not pronounced) difference.



I would speculate that the Flex is noisier because of having to use a smaller (lighter) motor.
 
Rob Tomlin said:
Almost two pounds lighter (26% lighter) would probably still make a noticeable (though not pronounced) difference.



I would speculate that the Flex is noisier because of having to use a smaller (lighter) motor.
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From what I have heard it sounds more like gearbox noise. The elctric motors are not that loud on a 90* polisher, its the gear noise.:think2



At least thats what I think.
 
It does sound alot like gear noise. It's pretty quiet as long as the speed is kept below 1.2k rpm. Above that, it makes a real racket.



The Flex does seem to have a break in period. Now that it's been used alot, it's not as noisy as it was, and it doesn't get nearly as hot as it did when it was new. Guess those new gears/motor just had to get some wear on em.
 
Rob Tomlin said:
Almost two pounds lighter (26% lighter) would probably still make a noticeable (though not pronounced) difference...d speculate that the Flex is noisier because of having to use a smaller (lighter) motor.
Click to expand...



My Metabo is about that much ligher than my Makita. Considering that I'm, uhm.. in very good physical condition, I never thought I'd ever notice the difference, but I do.



Not that I find the Makita heavy (now a Milwaukee *did* feel heavy back when I was a kid with 50 lbs less muscle), but the ligher weight of the Metabo simply makes it a little easier to use. But then the trigger of the Makita makes *that* easier to use, so IMO it's pretty much a toss-up.



But don't let anyone tell ya that a few pounds isn't something you'll notice- it's an idividual thing. I woulda bet big money on my *not* noticing, and I was wrong.
 
Accumulator said:
My Metabo is about that much ligher than my Makita. Considering that I'm, uhm.. in very good physical condition, I never thought I'd ever notice the difference, but I do.



Not that I find the Makita heavy (now a Milwaukee *did* feel heavy back when I was a kid with 50 lbs less muscle), but the ligher weight of the Metabo simply makes it a little easier to use. But then the trigger of the Makita makes *that* easier to use, so IMO it's pretty much a toss-up.



But don't let anyone tell ya that a few pounds isn't something you'll notice- it's an idividual thing. I woulda bet big money on my *not* noticing, and I was wrong.
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which metabo did you buy ?? I also have another question about polisher, now can i use the backing plate off of my PC and put it on the makita? OR is it better to work with larger pads if your using the rotary.
 
ianitrix said:
which metabo did you buy ?? I also have another question about polisher, now can i use the backing plate off of my PC and put it on the makita? OR is it better to work with larger pads if your using the rotary.
Click to expand...



Unfortunately, rotaries use 5/8-11 thread backing plates, which are alot different than the PC's. So you gotta buy a new set of backing plates.
 
ianitrix said:
which metabo did you buy ??
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Whichever one TOL sells :nixweiss



Nice little machine, but I wish it had a Makita-style trigger. The Metabo is a little to much like the PC for my taste (ergonomically-speaking). It's the sort of thing I'd probably get used to if I used it more often.
 
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