lets talk buffers

Jim C

Jim C

Oldtimer
ok, i think its about time i got a new buffer. i have had the same good old trusty makita for about 13 years now. its still going but i know it doesnt have too much life in her. i was going to get another makita but i also have had my eyes on a flex for some years. whatever i get it needs to be light since i buff motorcycle parts and most of the time with the buffer in one hand gripping the motor body section. the makita is about 6.5lbs. flex has a 3403vrg buffer which is about 5 lbs and alot smaller. does anyone here have one of these? how do you like it? any other recommendation for a good lightweight but powerful buffer? any input on this is appreciated as i have been out of the market now for well.......13 years.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flex-LK302V...ol-Used-Works-Great-GERMANY-WOW-/291623980376

While I don't have or have used the one you mentioned I do have extensive experience with the one in the link. My vote would be flex hands down. If I had to get another one I would look for a good used one like the one I have because they are really that good and bullet proof. In the meantime I would also have mine repaired or get the parts and do it myself so I would have a back-up, no way would I get rid of it, I like it that much.

As for weight, it has a nice balance and I really like the feel but then again I have been using flex's for a tick over 25yrs and just can't see myself having anything else unless someone copy's it (Porter Cable did for awhile). So I guess I'm biased.

Shine has said his housing gets warm but I think he has a newer/different model then mine. Mine does not get overly warm at all it just works and doesn't stop.

I want one of their orbital buffers for absolute final polish and will get one when the next job calls for it, I can see that working real nice and save the elbows and wrists from excessive hand rubbing.

If you would like I would be happy to send you mine to try, I won't be needing it for a while. That way you can get an idea of what you can expect.

The only small quirk with the design is the speed dial has one spot that ramps up. I have used 2 others (same exact unit) and they do it also. It is no big deal to me and no one else has said any different when they have used it.

In the entire time I have been using them only one needed brushes because of the crap that gets in the vents no one would clean.

The offer is there if you would like to try it let me know.
 
thanks for the offer and feedback. after you mentioned shine's housing gets warm, something about that sounded familiar so i did a little digging online. it appears that is a common issue. some say it gets extremely hot. this will be a big issue for me since my handle is the motor housing itself. its a real bitch but i have to be able to grip a buffer one hand by the motor section for sometimes an hour at a time. my makita doesnt even get warm. i just wish it was a little lighter and motor dia was smaller. decisions decisions.
 
Jim have you ever thought about an air buffer? Maybe not to replace but supplement? I have a Ingersoll Rand that I love for it's lighness. Put a swivel on the end and it handles like a corded electric but so much lighter. Might be just the thing seeing you do a lot of smaller parts. IR 314A is the model I'm talking about.
 
chris actually i have. i have a killer dynabrade but its a mini. swings a 3 or 4" pad. this one.... http://www.toolsource.com/inch-right-angle-heavy-duty-buffer-3200-p-106339.html

for a full size there are 2 issues. one is they use a crap ton of air. my compressor can move enough but man that just seems really inefficient. #2 and the biggest thing is the location of the handle on those. i looked up yours and the trigger has to be pulled down on the handle. does your lock in the on position? i would have to buff and move my and up onto the body near the head to be able to control it. that would be possible if you could have it lock on like an electric. then i can move my hand up to the balancing point. its always tough because i have to hold my part on a table with my left and buff with my right.

for another option it seems this buffer has really good reviews. german made like the flex. in the pics it seems like the body would be comfortable to hold. anyone know or use one?

http://www.cpooutlets.com/metabo-60...5yH2c73OiswXXCOg6DU06Q2BoCB8rw_wcB&ref=googaw
 
the metal head where the gears are gets warm. i figured out that if i left the handle on it was no big deal. the motor housing does not get hot. that is why they made the horse shoe handle i guess. chemical guys has a few of the mini buffers which would work good for you jim.
 
yeah my Makita gearbox can get warm too sometimes. i need something that will swing a full size pad but compact so i guess i am down to the flex 3403 or the metabo one in the link i posted. those are the only more compact ones i have found.. ill give it some thought over this weekend and order something Monday. the metabo can actually be bought as a special order through home depot. if i don't like that i can take it back easy enough.
 
I think there are quite a few Flex 3403 machines out there on the used market. I found a new one that had a damaged box on eBay. I was willing to pay $200 but I guess no one else was. I bought it based on Shine's recommendation. I'm a little like Jim C -- I do all my buffing one-handed and this machine makes it a lot easier.
Flex%20Buffer_zpsndbc1ujc.jpg
 
for bikes and small stuff i would go with the flex pe8 . from what i hear it is a bad ass little buffer. lighter than the 3401 i have .
 
shine;n81450 said:
for bikes and small stuff i would go with the flex pe8 . from what i hear it is a bad ass little buffer. lighter than the 3401 i have .
Click to expand...


Yep that is what I would get for small stuff like bike tanks and fenders. The Flex or Rupes are both top quality. The random orbit buffers look really tempting especially when you sand down to the 3-5k grits it would finish that like butter like the rotary's do. The Rupes are random orbit and D/A. So for what you want the Flex would be your best bet and the Chemical Guys have a package deal that will get you pads and compound so you can try it out too :) .
 
i just looked up the pe8. yeah thats a mini buffer and im sure its fantastic but its a 3-4" pad size. i already have one of those. i need a full 6-8" pad size. that generally what i use for almost everything. i usually run a 6" foam cutting pad for mikes and parts but i also need to run 8" for cars, boats, wood work, etc. if bob says he uses it one handed and shine says the motor doesnt itself doesnt get hot then i feel better about that flex for sure. i also need a full size so i can put an 8" backup pad on it for psa sanding discs.

87max, just doing some digging around the net and you seem to be right. i have never had anything metabo but the buffer specifically seems to have a really good rep. i cant find anything negative about it. seems to be popular with the professional detailers.

thanks everyone for the info and feedback. definitely helpful
 
I've had a flex 3403 for a few years now. It's great.

Gets hot. When I buffed the 59' Caddy Limo It was really hot. Always works and I'd buy another if it takes a dump. So much lighter than my old black and decker or makita buffers I used to use.

With the hexalogic pads from chemical guy's it's a nice all around buffer. Feels like a feather compared to my old stuff.
 
Jim, on the Makita, I'll assume you probably changed the brushes between 2 & 4 times by now? Many Makita tools definitely take a beating, but by the time they start sounding clanky even with new brushes, the output definitely diminishes.
​Newer compact high output tools never dissipate heat as well as the larger models, but I think even if the lifespan of the tool is a little less, more lifespan on your arms is worth it.

Had a couple of different suppliers last year praising the flex line. Think I'd consider them definitely above metabo.

​Probably mentioned this one before, but for other than straight rotary I have one of the older festool 6" Ro 150's. Good for a multitude of different trades. Has enough power to keep up with a porter cable 4 x 24 belt sander using 36 grit paper in random rotary mode. Variable speed has worked flawless. You can cut/sand heavier with random rotary & then switch to random orbital to get a smoother gentler effect with the same sandpaper/ buffing pads.
 
ok well i ended up going for that metabo for 2 reasons. one, i can order it right on homedepot.com and if for some reason i dont like it or feel its uncomfortable i can return it right here in the store and then get the flex. #2 the min rpm of the flex is 1100 and the metabo will turn down to 700. i also use this thing with a sanding disc to faux finish distressd wood so the slow speed will work great for that. should have this thing sometime soon so i'll give an initial review of it. i did goto chemical guys and orderd a backup plate and some of the hex logic pads to go with it.
 
It's all good I hope it works out for ya. You are multitasking this unit for things other then just automotive which the Flex might not have worked well given the RPM and my full size buffer I offered you I really don't think would have filled the bill either.

At least you ordered something from the Chemical Guys :) LOL.
 
yeah we will see how it works out and what its like when it gets here. a little digging on the detailing forums and i am finding while many guys like the flex, the metabo seems to be recommended over the flex. in any case im sure they are both good since it really came down to those two in the end. i think its just which one seems better balanced while holding it in my one hand. the metabo i can atleast get a test drive.
 
Jim you might also consider making a jig to easily strap down the tool so you can hold the part with both hands on some small parts.

1100 rpm is pretty fast for a lot of certain projects, so the metabo may be better for you. . I mentioned the festool ro 150 since you, like me, get into other than average products. The latest version , which is different than mine, is $585 from any dealer. Not cheap , but definitely an investment. It really is a bad ass little sander. It can be gentle enough to buff plastic or strong enough to level out an old hardwood floor. The random rotary function is somewhere between a super aggressive da & a really low speed rotary buffer. Also it has a vacuum attachment which is particularly great with heavy sanding;;;;;;if it gets sucked up, you're not resanding it , so it's faster. Used it on sheetrock work , as long as it is held flat, it gets most of the dust.

I almost always grab a standard straight rotary buffer for most initial paint cutting & buffing operations, but it gives you something between straight rotary & a slow da for final polish & especially maintenance clean up buffing.
 
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