BEST Beginner Polisher? Harbor Freight Forced Rotation DA Review & Unboxing with Mike Phillips

[@directorofsuccess]

I'm a fan of The Harbor Freight Rule of Tools: Buy the cheap-o knock-off from Harbor Freight and if you use it enough to break it, then it is worthwhile to go buy the Snap-On (or in this case, The Flex "Beast").

[@bbdetailing9123]

Never heard that, but i like it

[@msk3905]

I’m not sure majority of those who bought a tool at Harbor Freight is buying Snap on when it breaks

[@spikespikester7964]

Or buy the 3 year warranty and be all in for $130 for three years.

[@Steve0885]

I can't understand why anyone other than professionals would spend all that money on a flex. Most of us on KZbin are weekend warriors

[@tobeforgottenisworsethande8995]

Capitalism

[@mikephillipsrealworlddetailing]

Some people buy a Ferrari when a Ford will get the job done. Me? I never tell others how to spend their money, that's their business. Thanks for watching and commenting. -Mike Phillips

[@brianobrian6637]

Mike's experience is hands down impressive. More so his honesty is refreshing! This Man has done so much for detailing it's mind blowing. I appreciate you Mike. Ty!

[@trentmcgraw8367]

I actually got to use that tool while I was in Stuart Florida at the Dr. Beasley‘s operating room. Well worth the hundred dollars or so for three-year warranty. Still love my flex but it’s nice to have a choice.

[@mikephillips3659]

Hi Trent, thanks for commenting and more important - thank you for your trust and signing up for and taking our 3-day class in Stuart, Florida. I completely understand that most people taking my class have a lot of money invested into the class BESIDES the $1,795.00 price of the class. There's travel costs, hotel costs, rental car costs for those that fly here and meals-on-the-road, which do tend to add up. So THANK YOU for your trust in my name and the Dr. Beasley's name. And for anyone reading this reply into the future, the 3-day classes we hold in sunny, Stuart, Florida are the best and also most hands-on classes on planet Earth. We cover more topics, more techniques, more tools and more products than any other class and WE PROVE IT. Take a moment to click the link below and I'll pay you $100.00 if you can find a picture that shows a SINGLE CHAIR in the class and someone sitting in it. *601 pictures - what a real hands-on detailing class looks like!* themikephillipsforum.com/threads/601-pictures-what-a-real-hands-on-detailing-class-looks-like.456/ This is just ONE write-up from my 3-day class in November. I'm working on the write-up for the class Trent (the person I'm replying to in this thread), took in February. It takes about 30 hours to process the pictures and create these types of photo-documented write-ups. -Mike Phillips

[@neilwalker5041]

I do love my beast but if it ever goes down I will run to Harbor Freight and pick this up. This will definitely get the job done.

[@mikephillips3659]

Thanks for watching Neil. -Mike

[@dfd4688]

For a beginner… I just knew you were going to go with the porter cable… surprised me. The Rolls in the background gives me flashbacks to my youth working with my old man loved that. Cheers

[@mikephillips3659]

Hi dfd4688, I strongly believe the Porter Cable is a great first-time tool for the masses. Since it was introduced from the Wood Working Industry to the Paint Polishing Industry in the 1980's by both Barry Meguiar and Richard Griot, (I'm not sure who introduced it first?), MILLIONS of cars have been de-swirled. While the Porter Cable is a simple tool - it is still an effective tool. The primary difference between someone starting out with a free spinning tool like the Porter Cable and the gear-driven tool like the HF Hercules Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher is obviously the gear-driven aspect of the latter. The practical difference is zero pad stalling like you get with the PC and/or ANY brand of free spinning random orbital polisher. The HF Hercules Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher will take longer to learn how to use and master as compared to a Porter Cable polisher, but for most people, the skills can be learned by simply putting some time behind the tool. OR - take one of the paint correction classes I teach for Dr. Beasley's. -Mike Phillips

[@DanaDetailingPros]

Just wanted to thank you again Mike for asking Flex to make the PXE 6mm orbit. I just got mine a couple weeks ago. It would of never been possible without you and your valuable input. Hope to one day meet you in person:)

[@mikephillips3659]

Hi Dana, You're welcome. It seemed like it took forever to go from my request to the engineers at FLEX to the actual 6mm drive unit becoming available on United States shores, but it's finally here. And the entire reason I asked for this 6mm drive unit is because the PXE-80 is the perfect 3" Mini Sander. Sure, you can do paint correction with it, but in the market - until the PXE-80 was introduced, there were no good electric or battery powered 3" free spinning random orbital polishers. There used to be the Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polishers, but Griot's discontinued them and jumped on the LONG STROKE BANDWAGON and in its place introduced their 12mm Griot's G8 Mini Random Orbital Polisher with an 8mm orbit stroke length. Of course, 8mm works great for machine dry or machine wet sanding, but the tool is large, bulky and more awkward to use when doing precision sanding work as compared to the old Griot's compact size 3" mini polisher and of course the FLEX PXE-80 polisher. The rest as the saying goes is history. -Mike Phillips

[@jamespolucha8790]

This is a really good machine, a lot of people are using it with great results, it’s nice to be able to buy something like this at a lower price and get the job done

[@mikephillipsrealworlddetailing]

As a long time BEAST user, I do have to admit - this tool works as advertised. It's a very good copy of the FLEX BEAST, but it doesn't have the 7-function microprocessor like the BEAST and actually, all FLEX tools. But for most people, like you say, it will get the job done. -Mike Phillips

[@MyGuyKirby]

Mike, does this tool suffer like the Flex BEAST in that the aluminum shroud gets warm or hot after long use? I know the newer model from FLEX did away with that shroud being metal to reduce the heat and weight.

[@mikephillips3659]

Hi Kirby, Yes, the aluminum housing will get hot if run the tool hard, like I do. The key point is - don't touch the aluminum head. :) The newer models of the FLEX 3401, this means the FLEX Supa BEAST and the FLEX CBEAST - they both have the aluminum head, it's just behind the plastic shroud. FLEX redesigned the internals of their tool bodies to flow air in a way to cool the aluminum head better. Plus with the two new versions - it's under the plastic housing so you can't touch it. -Mike

[@mlhm5]

IMO you cannot beat the Bauer long throw polisher from HF. The Rupes 5" backing plate bolts on with no mods and it vibrates less. Also change the grease in the HF to lithium or Lucas Red and Tacky to make it quieter - $80 without any discounts.

[@markkempton4579]

Thank you. I can't decide which kind to get for my first polisher.

[@ThisOldDetailingDude]

Great review! Definitely on my list to consider

[@mikephillips3659]

Thanks for watching. -Mike

[@vwking2000]

I’ve been wondering about this tool. Thanks for the review!

[@mikephillips3659]

Thanks for watching. -Mike

[@eprohoda]

Dr.. ‘sup?! thank you, so amazing uploading- :)

[@J1Z06]

Can I use gun oil on the felt ring, Mike? I'm tempted to pick up one of these buffers.

[@mikephillipsrealworlddetailing]

Yes. Once when working from home, I used Olive Oil. Seem to work just find. Thank you for watching and commenting. -Mike Phillips

[@nice95gle]

Thank you. I've been on the fence with this polisher. And, you just made up my mind for me.

[@mikephillipsrealworlddetailing]

Thanks for watching and commenting. -Mike Phillips

[@inoagaiwhodetails]

Perfect gift. I know someone who wants one and needs it. 😊 hell yeah. Perfect

[@mikephillips3659]

Just remember to lube the felt ring and re-tighten the backing plate bolt. -Mike

[@affordableautodetailing1]

Thank you for the uploading

[@skyace888]

Thanks Mike. Not sure how they can copy the 3401 so similar. Is that something folks should be supporting? I guess Flex didn’t have any key design patents? Anyways, longevity is the unknown here. Not sure how long this tool will hold up over time (though sure it does have a warranty). I’ve had mixed results with HF Tools over the years.

[@mikephillips3659]

Hi skyace888, I used to really get bothered and even made when I see other countries/companies copy the originator's tools, or anything for that matter. (The Defelsko Paint Thickness Gauge is a good example of a tool that's been copied a LOT). As a person that has had my original "content", that is articles, techniques, topics, etc. copied with no reference to where the content came from, I can empathize with companies like RUES and FLEX. At the same time, I'm thinking the true root of the problem are politicians and presidents that sell out the American worker. I think the blame for what we're seeing in the market today goes back to the President, the Senate and the Congress that pass NAFTA. I also think giving some countries what's called *most-favored-nation status* and worse, *permanent most-favored-nation status* is the root cause of what we're seeing when we see original knocked off. One thing for sure thought, Harbor Freight created a great business model. What do I mean? They have a store in pretty much every Podunk town and larger in America. They carry for the most part the same inventory. They do a great job with customer relations, newsletters, sales, etc. Their warranty program is as good or better than the one we all remember when every Podunk town in America had a SEARS store with CRAFTMAN tools and the CRAFTSMAN lifetime warranty. Somehow, Harbor Freight has been able to replace Sears, Roebuck and Company. SEARS is/was a U.S. merchandising company, historically one of the world’s largest retailers. It was founded in 1893 by Richard W. Sears (1863-1914) and Alvah C. Roebuck (1864-1948). The market isn't fair. It should be but it's not. I don't have the answer, but I do think voting for men and women that put America FIRST is the best first thing we can all do. -Mike

[@msk3905]

Last to market where you copy others design is and has always been a legit market strategy been in place for a long time.

[@tony8354586]

Mike are you working for dr. Beasley now? Regards, Tony

[@mikephillips3659]

Yes. Sad to say, bad things happened that were out of my control. When the world hands you Lemons, it our job to make lemonade, or in other words, make the best of a bad situation. One thing for sure, I love working with Jim and his team. -Mike

[@tony8354586]

…I wish you the best in your new endeavor, I hope you didn’t have to do a physical move. I have done that and hated it…

[@Trashed20659]

The Hercules line of tools are more in line with Dewalt quality, and cost only a little less. HF is trying to move into the quality tools market now.

[@MikePhillips-Dr.Beasleys]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Harbor Freight is doing a great job of upping their game and filling the void left behind when Sears Craftsman stores disappeared all over the U.S.A. -Mike Phillips

[@FlameBlue9016]

Thanks Mike! I’ve been eyeing one of these.

[@kanyeeastlolz]

This is a good tool.

[@mikephillips3659]

It's a good copy of a great tool. -Mike

[@entasis.fifty-four]

I’ll stick with my Flex 3401 as I’d rather own the real deal. I’m sure it irks Flex to have such a blatant knockoff of their brilliant tool. This reminds me of the FEIN Multimaster (which I also own) and what happened after the patent expired.

[@mikephillipsrealworlddetailing]

Hi entasis.fifty-four, I'll stick to my FLEX 3401 and also my RIB or Red Beast Inside, engraved with my name by FLEX and given to me personally in Germany by the President of FLEX, Christian Neuner. I also don't like or agree with how other people/companies/countries blatantly knock-off the originator's tools or any product. The Genie was let out of the bottle a long time ago, back before I started paying attention to politics and voting common sense. I wrote the below in a reply above, but it fits here too. I used to really get bothered and even made when I see other countries/companies copy the originator's tools, or anything for that matter. (The Defelsko Paint Thickness Gauge is a good example of a tool that's been copied a LOT). As a person that has had my original "content", that is articles, techniques, topics, etc. copied with no reference to where the content came from, I can empathize with companies like RUPES and FLEX. At the same time, I'm thinking the true root of the problem are politicians and presidents that sell out the American worker. I think the blame for what we're seeing in the market today goes back to the President, the Senate and the Congress that pass NAFTA. I also think giving some countries what's called most-favored-nation status and worse, permanent most-favored-nation status is the root cause of what we're seeing when we see original knocked off. One thing for sure thought, Harbor Freight created a great business model. What do I mean? They have a store in pretty much every Podunk town and larger in America. They carry for the most part the same inventory. They do a great job with customer relations, newsletters, sales, etc. Their warranty program is as good or better than the one we all remember when every Podunk town in America had a SEARS store with CRAFTMAN tools and the CRAFTSMAN lifetime warranty. Somehow, Harbor Freight has been able to replace Sears, Roebuck and Company. SEARS is/was a U.S. merchandising company, historically one of the world’s largest retailers. It was founded in 1893 by Richard W. Sears (1863-1914) and Alvah C. Roebuck (1864-1948). The market isn't fair. It should be but it's not. I don't have the answer, but I do think voting for men and women that put America FIRST is the best first thing we can all do. -Mike

[@timkinley1779]

You don't mean beginner. You mean cheap above all else.

[@wyo_garage20]

Cheap is good

[@timkinley1779]

@@wyo_garage20 Good is good. Cheap is cheap.

[@wyo_garage20]

@@timkinley1779 Words of the ignorant

[@timkinley1779]

@@wyo_garage20 I was thinking the same.

[@wyo_garage20]

@@timkinley1779 Glad you realize you’re ignorant. Fix it