Time to step up from a 3401 to a rotary...

B

bob~c

New member
Hi all,



For folks that have 3401 and a 3403 ro (or a Metabo), is it a significant jump in terms of cutting ability and time savings or should I just bump up to a 603VV/Makita?



I'd prefer the 3403 because it is lighter and easier to maneuver but I'm planning on keeping the 3401, so if there's a lot of overlap and not a significant difference, I'll look at the beefier machines.



Thanks,



-bob
 
Bob I think many people get the lightweight because its well, light weight. Cutting power given the same RPM and pad etc are the same on the 3403 and the Makita/603VV. Only difference in those aside from the brand offerings(warranty etc) is the weight and weight distribution.



I think the Makita and the 3403 are both great choices. Read up and search and that should help your choice along.
 
Just a heads up, after using my Flex 3401 I go a Metabo, Well I prefer the Flex to the Rotary. I do not see that much of a significant improvement in speed in fact I sometimes find the Flex to correct just as fast and sometimes on a deep RID it is better because you can hover over the same spot for much longer than with a Rotary, Just something to think about
 
Conan777 said:
Just a heads up, after using my Flex 3401 I go a Metabo, Well I prefer the Flex to the Rotary. ..
Click to expand...



Same here. I had two rotaries (Makita and Metabo) and then I got a Flex 3401 and I haven't touched either of the rotaries since.



bob~c- Welcome to Autopia!



The Metabo and Makita are a little different, but both do about the same level of work. It's not like the Makita does more just because it's bigger and heavier.



To see a big time savings via rotary, IMO you'll need to use pads/products that fully exploit the rotary's capabilities. The only time I'll be using my rotaries will be when I need to use rocks-in-a-bottle compounds with harsh wool pads, and that won't be once in a blue moon.



Have you tried aggressive products via wool with the Flex 3401? It might surprise you.
 
Interested comments guys... Interesting spin, too.



I've been reading about rotaries for the last couple of years posts on several forums that these machines were the ultimate, and that bigger was better.



This lead me to posting this since there's been times when I've been trying to level with the 3401, a LC Yellow and HT-420 (HT EC) and getting nowhere fast.



I did recently pick up some 105 and foamed wool pads. Will have to try each of these out...



Thanks
 
bob~c said:
Interested comments guys... Interesting spin, too...there's been times when I've been trying to level with the 3401, a LC Yellow and HT-420 (HT EC) and getting nowhere fast.



I did recently pick up some 105 and foamed wool pads. Will have to try each of these out...
Click to expand...



I too was getting nowhere fast with HT-EC, and that was with the rotaries. M105 is a whole 'nother ballgame. Even the PC can do some serious work with the right 4" pads. The Flex works great with it, not that you won't sometimes wish for even more cut ;) The original M105 was better in some ways, even via non-rotary methods.
 
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