Which Forced Rotation Polisher Is BETTER? Harbor Freight Hercules vs. Flex XC 3401 VRG

Harbor Freight recently came out with a forced rotation polisher that's almost an exact copy of the Flex XC 3401 VRG. The only thing they didn't copy? The price. The Harbor Freight Hercules Forced Rotation Polisher retails for around $100, while the Flex gear-driven polisher runs at about $400.
How do they stack up against each other? Which should you buy? Find out in these clips from a recent livestream detailing class!
- Mike Phillips
Chief Education Officer, Dr. Beasley's
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[@neilwalker5041]

The Harbor Freight polisher will work great for a family who polishes their cars once a year or as a backup in case the beast breaks down. I think people either prefer a free spinning or forced rotation polisher. I hate seeing of the backing plate is spinning because all my forearms feel is the vibration. I use the Beast as it works on 90% of the jobs I see. I hope to see more fun videos from you and Yancy!

[@DrBeasleys]

Thanks for watching Neil! -Mike Phillips

[@danielhancock8817]

I've only used my Hercules a couple times but I did put the smaller backing plate that is available for the 3401 onto it so I can run 5" pads.

[@DrBeasleys]

Hi Neil, When FLEX and also Lake Country first introduced smaller backing plates, I used them at that time. They are a good option for running smaller pads for buffing thinner panels. I don't believe Lake Country makes the 4" backing plate and adapter any longer, but FLEX still offers their smaller backing plate. -Mike Phillips

[@anonymousnoname]

Would you use a rotary or a dual action to correct single stage lacquer, and with a Lake Country low lint lambswool pad? I'm using 3D Speed polish.

[@josequiroz4605]

i have a harborfreight da that i bought 2019. it still going all i have done to it is replace the power switch because it went bad drom use. once replaced it works like a horse, this happend a month ago.

[@DrBeasleys]

Thanks for watching! -Mike Phillips

[@dfd4688]

I need to have the brushes replaced on one of my two 3401s where in CA might you recommend sending it for servicing? Comparing the beast to a free spinning DA is like comparing the difference between shooting a gun and throwing one. Thanks for the demo cheers

[@DrBeasleys]

Hi dfd4688 - I'm checking with FLEX to get their official recommendation as to where to send their tools for repair. I also think Chris Metcalf, (from FLEX), and I made a video showing how to replace the brushes yourself. If you like I can look for it? And I agree with you on comparing gear-driven orbitals with free spinning *random* orbital polishers - gear-driven orbitals simply never suffer from pad stalling. And this means, when using a gear-driven orbital polisher - you never have to endure Brain Drain. -Mike Phillips

[@DrBeasleys]

Hi dfd4688 - here's the link to Powerhouse Distributing - these folks are the official repair center for FLEX and SKILL tools. POWERHOUSE DISTRIBUTING *powerhousetoolparts.com/* And here's the link to a video Chris Metcalf and I made years ago, (with Yancy our our Video Guy), showing you how you can replace the brushes yourself. *kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYmaZoGaftGkrrc* -Mike Phillips

[@dfd4688]

@@DrBeasleys Thanks Mike, I found the video … the repair looks easy enough and I have a brush still in the box. Powerhouse is the company recommended if I should need assistance. Thanks again 🙏

[@404notfound.....]

I bought the original flex 3401. And ya right mike. U get heat treated gears and probably forged as opposed to the cheap chinese gears.

[@DrBeasleys]

I've toured the FLEX facility in Germany twice. I've toured the RUPES facility in Milan, Italy once as a guest speaker for RUPES. So I've been to both of these great companies manufacturing plants and taken pictures and written articles for all my tours of these manufacturing plants, (they are on the AutogeekOnline.net forum), and my pictures document both companies using nothing but the highest quality materials in their tools. -Mike Phillips

[@orthodox1717]

I have used the 3401 extensively and even with a decent amount of pressure, the panel can heat up significantly. This is very risky.

[@DrBeasleys]

Just monitor surface temperature as you're buffing and if you feel the surface to be too warm, then stop buffing in this section and start buffing in a new section. To test for surface temperature, simply place your hand on the section of paint being buffed. If you can keep your hand there and continue to hold a conversation - that's a sign the paint is fine. If you JERK your hand away immediately, that's your body's *Fight or Flight* self-preservations instincts kicking in to keep you from harming your hand and at this point - stop buffing in this area. I've been using the BEAST since 2009, it was introduced in 2006, and I've NEVER had a problem with the tool, it's performance, the results I achieve and all my cars and boats come out looking great. Hope that helps... -Mike Phillips

[@aaronconklin5261]

Why do you still use corded polishers? I’m not trying to criticize I’m curious.

[@Steve0885]

The cordless eats up batteries

[@FasterBastard1]

In a detail shop environment really no benefit to using battery polishers. Mini polishers sure, but full size rotary or da’s eat batteries.

[@DrBeasleys]

First, thanks for watching Aaron. I'll give you my take. We use pretty much ALL FLEX cordless ROTARY polishers in our classes because they have all the power you need without having to mess with a cord. When it comes to orbital polishers, both gear-driven and free spinning random orbital polishers, the new RUPES cordless BigFoot 15 and 21 actually work pretty well for paint correction. Some of the other brands for these types of cordless tools also work pretty well. For me? If I'm going to use an orbital polisher, I will tend to use a corded orbital because I'm trying to go fast while keeping my quality high. If I have a new car in GREAT shape that is, no swirls, shallow swirls, soft to medium paint, then I'll use the CBEAST. But this is pretty rare. Another HUGE factor is detailing style. Some people are not in a hurry, and for these people, cordless tools are great. -Mike Phillips

[@DrBeasleys]

Thanks for watching Steve. I just took a count, we have at least 40 FLEX 5 AMP batteries that we use with our cordless FLEX PE-150 Rotary polishers and our CBEASTS. We mostly use the CBEASTS for machine sanding boats as these tools have MORE power than any corded D.A. sander or free spinning random orbital polisher. I have a charging station with 10 charges plugged-in and ready to use. I practice the discipline to take dead batteries and immediately put them on the chargers both when I'm detailing cars or when I'm teaching classes. This is the key, have more than 2 batteries and have the discipline to swap dead batteries into chargers and then you can make cordless tools work for you. At least quality cordless tools. -Mike Phillips

[@DrBeasleys]

Thanks for watching FasterBastard1 I agree with you. In a production shop, corded tools are generally the way to go. Me? I LOVE the cordless FLEX PE-150 Rotary Polisher. I've been using the prototype FLEX sent me since 2017 and NEVER had a problem with performance. But that's just me and my buffing style. Again, thanks for watching! -Mike Phillips

[@btbd2785]

Why do they make the gears put of plastic? The price you pay for a "German" high quality machine , they could have least make then out of metal. I can see the Hercules being made off plastic because of cost, but Flex too?

[@DrBeasleys]

Who says the gears in FLEX tools are plastic? When I toured the manufacturing facility in Germany, (twice), the gears were stainless steel. Can you cite a source? Even if they are plastic, I like to assume an engineer at FLEX knows best, not me a detailer, and if they have a type of plastic that is of such high quality it can be used to replace stainless steel gears without compromising quality - then I say let the FLEX engineers do their job and I'll do my job. -Mike Phillips

[@btbd2785]

sorry, the gearset on the back of the backing plate is what I was referring to.

[@mikephillipsrealworlddetailing]

@@btbd2785 - Gotcha. My guess is the ENGINEERS know their job, kind of like we both know our jobs. I've been using the BEAST polisher since 2009 and I've NEVER seen the plastic gears break or wear-out. Never. -Mike Phillips

[@Steve0885]

Nothing wrong with the Hercules. Who wants to spend all that money on a band name? 😅

[@DrBeasleys]

Thanks for watching Steve. The great thing about living in America as we can each choose how to spend our money. One thing I learned from my friend Juan at the geek, *"Never spend another man's money"*, which means, let each person make their own mind up on the best value in their opinion. -Mike Phillips

[@danlc95]

I should name my band Flex!

[@GSP-76]

I know someone who uses the Hercules and does detailing professionally. He says people who are pushing expensive products probably have ulterior motives. Harbor Freight tools have proven to be highly reliable and every bit as good brands costing 3-4x as much. The stigma of cheaply built Chinese products in the 80s no longer holds up.