Anyone ever use the 3M rotary buffer?

T

Tinman

Still looking at the flex , but the local jobber has a close out on a 3M buffer $210.00. which is anywhere from $80-110 off.
Still may buy the flex 3403 for smaller jobs, but wondered how the 3m compares to my makita 9227c that died for a full size buffer.
 
I guess I still wondered if the flex 3403 would get over worked when using 8" compounding pads.
Read on another forum they over heat,not really recommended for the larger pads.(Not spending $400+ on the PE14-2-150)
I know they are very good with the smaller pads(6"), just have a stock pile of the larger stuff right now.
I very seldom am I cutting and buffing an entire car(Unless its the 1 or 2 a year restos). Mostly for the everyday
collision stuff - Hood, Hood/fender, Front clip type stuff.
Did'nt want to buy the flex and find out it was under powered and have to buy a dewalt or this 3m down the road.
 
well 3m doesnt make any tools. they are all just private labeled for them and then of course they charge a super premium for them so you think its something special when all you have is a relabeled tool from another company. i can almost bet you that the 3m buffer is a makita with a different skin.
 
i use 7 1/2 inch pads all the time . also like the 6 inch. i just see no reason to run the larger pads any more. but if your of the opinion the flex is under powered maybe you should stick with the mikita . flex is one of the few that has a 2 year warranty .
 
Not saying its under powered, had just read on another forum that it was'nt designed to use the bigger pads.
That the pe14 was. Just trying to find as much info on the 3403 as I can before I buy one. The 3m just seemed like a good deal,
but I'm not crazy about the weight either. For the buffing I'm doing , the flex sounds like the answer.
 
once you get use to the smaller pads you will like them better . more control and you tend to use the surface better. most of an 8 in pad is never used . i have a cabinet full of wool pads and 8 in foam pads. sine i started using the 7 1/2 and 6 in pads i never looked back . try to find someone who has one or pick up a smaller pad and try it .

the flex is an 11 amp / 1400 watt buffer .
 
the flex comes with a set of 6 in pads . they work just fine. i also have the 7 1/2 pads and some of the 3 in pads. i swear i find more and more things to use the 3 in on. really great for cars with dips and valleys in them. buffing has become as involved as painting in the last 20 years. you dont have to be a great painter but you better be good at buffing .
 
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