Rupes BigFoot Query

[Zubair]

Hi Everyone


Just took delivery of my LHR 15 ES yesterday, thread found here: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/rupes-bigfoot-polishers/93030-rupes-lhr-15es-subtle-changes-2015-a.html

and was doing some reading up on the machines and have two questions.


As per Mike Phillip's statement regarding the Kevin Brown washer mod :

"Rupes does not recommend installing the washer between the spindle and the backing plate. This is a tweak of the tool Kevin Brown came up with to take the Rupes engineered design of putting some drag against the backing plate (to provide 50% oscillation and 50% rotation), and remove the drag factor.

By installing the washer you lose the drag and lose oscillation while increasing rotation."

Hence my questions:

1: Based on the above, oscillation refers to orbit yes? If the washer mod increases rotation but loses oscillation/orbit does this mean the BigFoot no longer has 15 or 21mm throw?

2: Since powering my machine I notice sparks can be seen through the air vents, is this sparking normal?


I really hope those in the know can shed some light on both my questions.

[Zubair]

Okay, seeing as noone knows I took it upon myself to investigate this and researched tons of sites and reading material.

1:The ASF(Anti Spin Feature) is nothing more than a limitation device as a precaution to over spinning or high rotation which has a possibility to create holograms. It also acts as a safety device in stalling or reducing rotational speed to beginners who donot keep the pad flat on the paint surface thereby potentially scratching the surface. Once again this is all done by slowing excessive backplate rotation by the rubber shroud interacting on it when the machine is under partial or no load. To put it into simple words the reason why the washer mod is done is to eliminate stalling and the reason for stalling is the ASF is over protective against against potential scratching. The machines oscillations/orbits will not be negatively affected by the increase in rotational speeds on the contrary both are more likely to increase which is the reason for the faster correcting those who have done the mod are seeing.

The disadvantages to the washer mod are the very small risk of scratching and possibly slight vibration at higher speeds.
The advantages of the mod and higher speed is one can get away by using lower machine speed settings to correct thereby using less energy, running cooler and increasing machine life. Ofcourse less potential to stall as well.

2: Sparking is normal for machines operating with brushes.

[Ccrew]

Okay, seeing as noone knows I took it upon myself to investigate this and researched tons of sites and reading material.


My guess is people knew, but on a US holiday they weren't rushing to answer. Just saying.

[Zubair]

My guess is people knew, but on a US holiday they weren't rushing to answer. Just saying.

Yeah being on the other side of the planet, also the time difference plays a huge factor.

[tpr1634]

So my question is should we do this washer mod???

[Zubair]

So my question is should we do this washer mod???

If you happy with the machines performance with the ASF being activated permanently then no, leave the washer out. If you want a shot of Nitrous Oxide to speed up corrections to onpar or surpassing the Flex 3401 and reduce stalling on curves significantly the KB washer mod is the answer.

[tpr1634]

If you happy with the machines performance with the ASF being activated permanently then no, leave the washer out. If you want a shot of Nitrous Oxide to speed up corrections to onpar or surpassing the Flex 3401 and reduce stalling on curves significantly the KB washer mod is the answer.

Roger that, I have done the washer mod. If I need some mustard I'll break out the 3401.

[Zubair]

Roger that, I have done the washer mod. If I need some mustard I'll break out the 3401.

Something I wrote on another thread:

Direct driven machines such as rotaries and even ones that are hybrids like the Flex 3401-direct driven+orbital still have a chance of burning paint especially edges and will not finish off as well as a free floating machine. Direct drivens cut fast but free floating DA's finish better.

Flex-Cutting,Correcting,Compounding.
Rupes-Finishing,Jeweling,Polishing.

Choose your poison.

[tpr1634]

Something I wrote on another thread:

Direct driven machines such as rotaries and even ones that are hybrids like the Flex 3401-direct driven+orbital still have a chance of burning paint especially edges and will not finish off as well as a free floating machine. Direct drivens cut fast but free floating DA's finish better.

Flex-Cutting,Correcting,Compounding.
Rupes-Finishing,Jeweling,Polishing.

Choose your poison.
Both very good machines, never an issue with the 3401 but something tells me I will reach for the Rupes 85% of the time.

[dlc95]

Something I wrote on another thread:

Direct driven machines such as rotaries and even ones that are hybrids like the Flex 3401-direct driven+orbital still have a chance of burning paint especially edges and will not finish off as well as a free floating machine. Direct drivens cut fast but free floating DA's finish better.

Flex-Cutting,Correcting,Compounding.
Rupes-Finishing,Jeweling,Polishing.

Choose your poison.

I wasn't able to get the 3401 to finish as well as my Duetto using m205. Menzerna SF4000 was able to though.

[Ccrew]

I wasn't able to get the 3401 to finish as well as my Duetto using m205. Menzerna SF4000 was able to though.

It goes to what I say about Flex vs Rupes. They're both good machines, with the Rupes having more of the expectation of you know how to mix pad to product to paint to procedure. Hence why a lot of people recommend you stick with their "system" because a lot of the work is done for you. The new GG BOSS machines are similar in that respect.

The Flex will cut a lot of time and for the most part you have to know few fine points to get results. Grunt, buff, grunt. Whether those results are better than the Rupes is arguable. I have no doubt that a Flex in trained hands can finish well.

[Zubair]

The Rupes as a system-Machine/Pads/Polishes is a force to be reckoned with, I found that out today as I had both my DA's setup and did a comparison.

[Zubair]

Here is the link to my small Rupes test:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/rupes-bigfoot-polishers/93093-rupes-vs-menzerna.html

[dlc95]

It goes to what I say about Flex vs Rupes. They're both good machines, with the Rupes having more of the expectation of you know how to mix pad to product to paint to procedure. Hence why a lot of people recommend you stick with their "system" because a lot of the work is done for you. The new GG BOSS machines are similar in that respect.

The Flex will cut a lot of time and for the most part you have to know few fine points to get results. Grunt, buff, grunt. Whether those results are better than the Rupes is arguable. I have no doubt that a Flex in trained hands can finish well.

I'm confident that I could have dialed in the 3401 / 205, but it was a lot easier with the Duetto.

The Duetto also cuts well with microfiber, and m105.

But to me, the 3401 is closer to the rotary in it's power. It doesn't yield or compromise, which lends itself to a variety of approaches, styles, and techniques. Also, with SF4000 on a Tangerine Hydrotech, or blue hex logic I have no problem finishing to a deep gloss shine.

[Zubair]

I will state this again:

Direct driven machines such as rotaries and even ones that are hybrids like the Flex 3401-direct driven+orbital still have a chance of burning paint especially edges and will not finish off as well as a free floating machine. Direct drivens cut fast but free floating DA's finish better.

Flex-Cutting,Correcting,Compounding.
Rupes-Finishing,Jeweling,Polishing.

Also based on my experience yesterday on the link above I am 100% certain that the Flex is no match for the Rupes system when it comes to finishing.