Why don't Rupe's or Flex offer paint thickness gauges?

[DBAILEY]

Well, I stepped on my paint thickness gauge last night and broke it. It was a Chinese copy that only gave a single reading. So I started thinking about buying a new one and a thought occurred to me.

Isn't it kind of irresponsible for Rupe's, Flex, Griot's and Mequiars to offer all these polishers, polishes, pads, etc. to polish your paint, but not a single one of them considers a paint thickness gauge a worthwhile product to offer.

We have all kinds of overpriced lights, extension cords and such offered. They are supposed to be the premier makers of polishing tools and accessories aren't they?


I'll assume that a Rupe's or Flex would price theirs out of many people's reach, but I would like to see someone like Griot's offer one and keep the price down.

[Ronin47]

Well, I stepped on my paint thickness gauge last night and broke it. It was a Chinese copy that only gave a single reading. So I started thinking about buying a new one and a thought occurred to me.

Isn't it kind of irresponsible for Rupe's, Flex, Griot's and Mequiars to offer all these polishers, polishes, pads, etc. to polish your paint, but not a single one of them considers a paint thickness gauge a worthwhile product to offer.

We have all kinds of overpriced lights, extension cords and such offered. They are supposed to be the premier makers of polishing tools and accessories aren't they?


I'll assume that a Rupe's or Flex would price theirs out of many people's reach, but I would like to see someone like Griot's offer one and keep the price down.

While Rupes is an actual manufacturer, Flex tools I’m told are only designed by Flex and made in China, as for Griots they rebadged Chinese DAS etc. The Rupes swirl finder light as an eg. is actually a Scangrip so outside of foams,abrasives and machines, anything else will be outsourced.

[Mike Phillips]

While Rupes is an actual manufacturer, Flex tools I’m told are only designed by Flex and made in China.




Wow!


I'm glad I'm here to clear up the above misinformation.

FLEX tools are manufacture in Germany. FLEX is owned by Chervon in China but their tools are manufactured and assembled in Steinheim, Germany.

I've PERSONALLY toured the assembly line TWICE and I pretty sure I'm the ONLY guy that's visited both FLEX and RUPES AND DOCUMENTED both trips.



Germany Flex Plant Tour Pictures (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/41718-germany-flex-plant-tour-pictures.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1274/GFlexTrip50.jpg



From my Trip to RUPES in Milan, Italy as the Guest Speaker for their International Sales Meeting in 2014


Top Secret Pictures – How Rupes Bigfoot Polishers are made! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/82066-top-secret-pictures-how-rupes-bigfoot-polishers-made.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=77647


The obligatory RUPES shot (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/rupes-bigfoot-oribital-polishers/102137-obligatory-rupes-shot.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=77596




:)

[DBAILEY]

I figured it would probably actually be made somewhere in China. If it were made to Rupe's, Flex's or Griot's specs and standards I would still be more willing to buy it compared to a totally off-brand on Ebay.

[Ronin47]

Wow!


I'm glad I'm here to clear up the above misinformation.

FLEX tools are manufacture in Germany. FLEX is owned by Chervon in China but their tools are manufactured and assembled in Steinheim, Germany.

I've PERSONALLY toured the assembly line TWICE and I pretty sure I'm the ONLY guy that's visited both FLEX and RUPES AND DOCUMENTED both trips.



Germany Flex Plant Tour Pictures (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/41718-germany-flex-plant-tour-pictures.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1274/GFlexTrip50.jpg



From my Trip to RUPES in Milan, Italy as the Guest Speaker for their International Sales Meeting in 2014


Top Secret Pictures – How Rupes Bigfoot Polishers are made! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/82066-top-secret-pictures-how-rupes-bigfoot-polishers-made.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=77647


The obligatory RUPES shot (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/rupes-bigfoot-oribital-polishers/102137-obligatory-rupes-shot.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=77596




:)

Mike, did you tour the Griots manufacturing plant lol.

[Mike Phillips]

Mike, did you tour the Griots manufacturing plant lol.




Nope but if I could I would.


Tell you what though.... their polishers are solid as a rock. I also have very good luck maintaining pad rotation with them. In my classes, I'm often surprised by how much everyone likes them compared to all the other free-spinning orbital polishers.

That's the cool thing about the classes I teach, you don't just get shown one brand of tool. You get to play with all the cool tools and make up your own mind which tool you think is best.


:)

[Kamakaz1961]

Thank you Mike Phillips for pointing this out. Additionally, I DO BELIEVE on any Flex 3401 there is a sticker that is in German and it does say it's made in Germany. BUT DO NOT QUOTE me on that. I haven't looked at the sticker on my Flex for quite a while. I just use it a lot!

But again, the Oracle speaks and we all oblige! I took the Red Pill!....LOL

[Mike@ShineStruck]

I've heard that about flex once or twice.
When the flex 12mm came out some was like shinemate/Adams mini case..

But flex is def made in Germany.

I know Chevron owns then and ego is also a flex sister? Company..so battery's may be China at least..

As for Griot..they come out of the max shine factory as does others..whereas the other half of the Rupes clones come out of ANSI factory.

Machines that come out of the same factory definitely doesn't mean they all have the same quality. Griot is top notch.

[custmsprty]

While Rupes is an actual manufacturer, Flex tools I’m told are only designed by Flex and made in China, as for Griots they rebadged Chinese DAS etc. The Rupes swirl finder light as an eg. is actually a Scangrip so outside of foams,abrasives and machines, anything else will be outsourced.

You never cease to amaze me. :doh:

LOL...that's how rumors get started and perpetuated on down the line.

[VISITOR]

I've heard that about flex once or twice.
When the flex 12mm came out some was like shinemate/Adams mini case..

But flex is def made in Germany.

I know Chevron owns then and ego is also a flex sister? Company..so battery's may be China at least..

As for Griot..they come out of the max shine factory as does others..whereas the other half of the Rupes clones come out of ANSI factory.

Machines that come out of the same factory definitely doesn't mean they all have the same quality. Griot is top notch.

and just because a product is made there doesn't necessarily mean that all the internals are from there as well. people seem to like their iphone's just fine...

[PaulMys]

and just because a product is made there doesn't necessarily mean that all the internals are from there as well. people seem to like their iphone's just fine...

Exactly. And, it's not like China is incapable of making any solid products. They are just the world leader in supplying the biggest demand: Cheap products.

Everyone whines about paying 30 bucks for quality socks, so China happily supplies you with 6 pair for 10 bucks.

[Route246]

Exactly. And, it's not like China is incapable of making any solid products. They are just the world leader in supplying the biggest demand: Cheap products.

Everyone whines about paying 30 bucks for quality socks, so China happily supplies you with 6 pair for 10 bucks.

I'm not sure how many people here have actually been to China. I have for business (semiconductors, semiconductor equipment) in a previous role and I have toured some factories and spoken with ODMs about their process and attended trade shows where ODMs show their wares. China is a sophisticated manufacturing machine, capable of making products that range from junk to elite and everywhere between. They manufacture to cost and you get exactly what you pay for because the ODM market is extremely competitive and there is no stickiness or exclusivity to speak of.

iPhone is always the crown jewel product mentioned but there are plenty of others. Apple is willing to pay for quality and China is more than willing to supply it.

That said, China is the opposite of the US when it comes to regulation and tort litigation, which means there is not much penalty for breaking laws, worker safety, cheating and otherwise deceiving the customer. You just have to pay for that type of quality, too. If people are dying on assembly lines in China more people are brought in to replace them. If that were to happen in the U.S. the manufacturer would probably be shutdown by lawsuits if not regulators. It is part of the high cost of manufacturing in the U.S. and part of the competitive disadvantage that the US Chamber of commerce complains about.

Griots is a good example of having a fine product line made in China. They pay extra to get that quality and I think their product, reputation and customer service speaks for itself.

Don't get caught up in the generalizations that Europe==Good, China==Bad, or in the case of MF Korea==Good. The real world doesn't work that way. Follow the money. The wholesale cost relative to local labor rate is going to be the prime indicator of quality.

[Ronin47]

I've heard that about flex once or twice.
When the flex 12mm came out some was like shinemate/Adams mini case..

But flex is def made in Germany.

I know Chevron owns then and ego is also a flex sister? Company..so battery's may be China at least..

As for Griot..they come out of the max shine factory as does others..whereas the other half of the Rupes clones come out of ANSI factory.

Machines that come out of the same factory definitely doesn't mean they all have the same quality. Griot is top notch.

Griots uses a better bearing, SNK like Rupes, the ones I owned that had Chinese bearings all seized.

[Mike Phillips]

To get back on topic...

I’ve spoken with a Tech at Defelsko and suffice to say, I learned a lot about the technology behind these types tools.

While I wouldn’t say it’s out of either FLEX or RUPES ability to take on such a completely different industry as a part of there offerings - my guess is in the big picture they will focus on their core competencies and let companies already established in this industry own it

:)

[Route246]

To get back on topic...

I’ve spoken with a Tech at Defelsko and suffice to say, I learned a lot about the technology behind these types tools.

While I wouldn’t say it’s out of either FLEX or RUPES ability to take on such a completely different industry as a part of there offerings - my guess is in the big picture they will focus on their core competencies and let companies already established in this industry own it

:)

I was going to say the same thing, it is all about focusing on your core competency. Why compete in a sector where you have no talent, experience and learning curve advancement? It is a waste of capital (i.e. $$$) to invest in something you're not good at.