For All You Rupes Lovers vs Flex

[Mike Phillips]

Many of you will admit that the Rupes stalls but there are just as many that say it outperforms the Flex 3401 and even others that say it does better than a rotary.

Lets put the Rupes vs Flex in a car on a drag strip. The Rupes stalling has no chance. I see it the same in polishing.

Cry away Rupes lovers.

This will be great.

We don't allow this type of behavior on this forum.


I was just getting ready to leave here for Orlando for MTE tomorrow when 2-3 e-mails came through reporting you and your comments.


Consider yourself in time-out....


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[Dereksdtail]

It's all about what works best for you and your technique


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WRAPT C5Z06]

After spending more time with my Chinese 15mm(washer mod), I feel the correction power of the 3401 is overrated. It's still only an 8mm throw. On the flip side, it doesn't stop spinning which is awesome. They both have their pros and cons. I have both and will not sell either.


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[dcjredline]

I still cant see how a longer throw corrects better. It may correct more real estate but not better right? It is going to correct just as well as any other 8mm machine IE: if you hold it in one spot that spot will just be bigger with a 15 or 21mm. And just like any other 8mm machine it too can be stalled.

There are already many tight areas that an 8mm machine wont get into so why oh why would I want something that is bigger? I just dont fully understand.

[BudgetPlan1]

I still cant see how a longer throw corrects better. It may correct more real estate but not better right? It is going to correct just as well as any other 8mm machine IE: if you hold it in one spot that spot will just be bigger with a 15 or 21mm. And just like any other 8mm machine it too can be stalled.

There are already many tight areas that an 8mm machine wont get into so why oh why would I want something that is bigger? I just dont fully understand.

I'd guess it just does more/has more pad movement within a given 2x2 section. Dunno for sure but that's my guess. Perhaps that increased pad movement within that section also means less pressure needed?

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

[DBAILEY]

The larger orbit increases the centrifugal force causing more pad spin on the free spinning spindle. This gives these polishers more of a rotary type spin. The polish particles traveling round and around the circumference of a 5" pad travels more than if the pad is mainly just jiggling (oscillating).

[Just02896]

I own and use Flex and Rupes machines. With that said, I always reach for a Flex when heavy cutting is needed. My Rupes machines did not play well with MF and wool pads. Couldn't get them to stay spinning. And yes I used "technique"! Lol! Rupes machines are great for light correction and finish polishing though!

[WRAPT C5Z06]

My Rupes machines did not play well with MF. Couldn't get them to stay spinning

Something is wrong, that should not be the case.

[dlc95]

I own and use Flex and Rupes machines. With that said, I always reach for a Flex when heavy cutting is needed. My Rupes machines did not play well with MF and wool pads. Couldn't get them to stay spinning. And yes I used "technique"! Lol! Rupes machines are great for light correction and finish polishing though!

You know, that's exactly the same for me, but reversed.

I would repeatedly set the 3401 aside for something that spun faster, and that was always the Porter Cable 7424xp.

It probably has more to do with the technique than anything. I can get a 3401 to cut, but I have to stand on it. I came from the rotary school - where standing on it meant burning through it. Also, that was way WAY too much effort to expend on buffing - for me.

With the PC and Rupes I haven't yet had to use any more pressure then the relaxed weight of my hand on the head of the machine.

That doesn't make the 3401 a bad machine though. I actually loved it for One step polishing, AIO, and waxing.

[Dave.0]

Nothing beats a nice wet sanding followed by Makita rotary followed up with a good DA polisher and your own skill level.

For me I have had a Flex, Rupes, 2 different PC's and the one I like the most and always use is the 3rd gen Griots Garage DA with the Powerful 7-Amp, 850-Watt Motor which has tons of TQ to keep pads spinning even at low speeds with a little pressure.