Which Rotary, or perhaps Flex?

superstring said:
Can anyone clarify this? How similar are the Flex 3403 and the LK603VVB?
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The 3403 is like a Metabo, the 603 is like a Makita 9227. If you know the 2 comparable machines, that is probably the best comparison in my opinion.



This pic might help. From L>R, Flex 3403, Metabo, Flex 3401, Flex 603. See the difference in size? The 3403 doesn't have as much torque than the 603, but is definitely lighter. Made for light duty correction only.



_MG_7949.jpg
 
tod071 said:
The 3403 is like a Metabo, the 603 is like a Makita 9227. If you know the 2 comparable machines, that is probably the best comparison in my opinion.



This pic might help. From L>R, Flex 3403, Metabo, Flex 3401, Flex 603. See the difference in size? The 3403 doesn't have as much torque than the 603, but is definitely lighter. Made for light duty correction only.
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Wow! That's a huge difference! Thanks for the pics.
 
Thanks for the Picture tod071, now, you knew this was coming...how do you compare them? My reason for asking is the Metabo, if my Makita craps out or if my middle-aged arms do first - I may be looking for a lighter rotary.
 
The metabo seems to get a lot of fanfare around here. I don't think it would by MY choice as I'm so used to the bail handle on my Makita. I've had my Makita for quite a few years and it's been a great tool.
 
JuneBug said:
Thanks for the Picture tod071, now, you knew this was coming...how do you compare them? My reason for asking is the Metabo, if my Makita craps out or if my middle-aged arms do first - I may be looking for a lighter rotary.
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As many know, the Metabo will heat up and shut down very fast. The Flex 3403 also has an auto shutdown, but doesn't get as hot as the Metabo. I actually just did an entire car yesterday for the 3rd time since I got it without any problems. It does bog down with pressure, especially on higher speeds, like the Metabo, but does not stop like the PC.



If you're looking at the Metabo for weight, the 3403 is actually lighter. The other feature I liked about the 3403 is the trigger. If the Metabo runs away from you while polishing, you have to find the switch to turn it off or pull the plug, which becomes a hazard and I've actually experienced it once. You don't have this hazard with a trigger.



All in all, I look at the 3403 as a Metabo with a trigger. Just keep in mind its a lightweight, light-duty polisher. If you're looking for heavy duty polishing, the Makita is still the heavyweight (literally :chuckle: ) king.



Here's the Metabo & Flex 3403 side by side:

_MG_7951.jpg
 
eddie926 said:
Follow on question. I thought I had seen pics on the forum of folks using smaller "spot correction" pads on some kind of rotary polisher, but looking at Autogeek.com it doesn't appear that there is anything smaller than 7.5" to 8.5" pads for rotary polishers.



Can someone comment on what size pads are available and commonly used with rotarys?



Also, I guess the rotary backing plates and pads are different from the DA backing plates and pads, eh? So I'll have to get all new stuff to go with the rotary, correct?
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I don't like to go smaller than 6.5" on a rotary - the risk of paint burning becomes very high. Rather, I use the edge of a soft pad (either white or blue) and a polish that is more aggressive than before. E.G if I was correcting large areas with OP and an orange or wool pad, I would do the small areas with a white LC and SIP.
 
I just reread the thread by SVR showing him using a 4" pad and the comments on that are contrary to what I'm reading here. Now, my math ability stinks and my engineering is worse so I guess I'll see what happens this weekend when I have both 7.5" and 4" LC CCS pads. My estimate is both are ok as long as you're careful and try to use good form.
 
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