Flex is a German company producing several lines of products, but are most well known for their finishing tools. In today’s case, we’re looking more closely at a Flex Orbital Polisher. This one is found under the model number Flex XC 3401 VRG and is a 6-inch design with a mechanical orbiting action. Being German, Flex seems to hold up to our expectations of innovation and precision. Let’s look more closely.
Key Features
This Flex Orbital Polisher boasts seven electronic microprocessor functions. Consistent speed remains under control thanks to a tachometer generator. This helps to keep the RPMs up as pressure is applied. There’s a soft start function that helps avoid spraying your chosen product everywhere and burn through on touchy areas. An accelerator trigger switch is really a fancy way of saying it has a variable speed trigger.
From there, you get restart protection in the case of power failure. Since there’s a lock on button for the trigger, it’s really a nice safety feature to avoid the Flex Orbital Polisher doing its best impression of a Tasmanian Devil on your shop floor around the F-150 you just finished up. Overload protection is also built in to avoid frying the motor.
Click Here to See What Michael Lucas Thinks of Makita’s 6-Inch Polisher!
Temperature monitoring really should be a given at this level and is found on board. Finally, a speed selection dial gives you more control over your maximum speed. That’s certainly nice to have considering the lock on button. However, most of us are likely going to crank the dial all the way up and feather the trigger as needed.
The Flex XC 3401’s orbital action works using a direct drive gearing system. It offers 8 millimeters of orbital action to create an even polished surface. To control the polisher, there’s a knob grip on the front. It’s another feature that’s nice to have, but I’ve found that most Pros are likely to remove it, which it’s designed to be.
One other nice feature is the shut-off carbon brushes. This is more of a self-preservation kind of idea that shuts the polisher off in the event the brushes wear down. The first time it works, you may be want to call Flex and find out why it’s not coming on. A quick check of the brushes and a check of the plug and outlet might save a little face before you make that call.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
When it comes to deciding if the XC 3401 Flex Orbital Polisher is worth investing in, performance has to be there no matter how good the tool looks on paper. Head over to Shop Tool Reviews, where Tim Johnson has put together a video of Flex at work with Michael Lucas and him in the body shop!
Check Out the Flex Orbital Polisher’s Performance at Shop Tool Reviews!
Flex Orbital Polisher Key Features
- FLEX seven-fold microprocessor electronics with consistent speed control by tachometer generator, soft start, accelerator trigger switch, restart protection after power interruption, overload protection, temperature monitoring, and speed selection
- 8 mm orbital movement
- Permanent direct drive for an even polished surface
- removable, ergonomic knob grip
- High-powered motor can handle extreme loads
- Spindle lock
- Quality shut-off carbon brushes if the carbon brushes wear down, the motor will be automatically switched off and thus protected from damage
- 10″ Black power cord
Flex XC 3401 VRG Orbital Polisher Specifications
- Model: Flex XC 3401 VRG
- Maximum polishing pad diameter: 6″
- Velcro pad: 150 mm
- Speed without load: 160-480 RPM
- Power input: 900 W
- Power output: 590 W
- Orbit: 8 mm
- Orbit Rate without load: 3200-9600 RPM
- Weight: 5.75 lbs
- Includes: Grip cover, Knob grip, Special Velcro Backing pad, 5-1/2″
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: $399.75
