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  1. #1
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    Why don't Rupe's or Flex offer paint thickness gauges?

    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.

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

    Quote Originally Posted by DBAILEY View Post
    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.

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  4. #3
    Mike Phillips
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    Re: Why don't Rupe's or Flex offer paint thickness gauges?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ronin47 View Post

    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





    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!





    The obligatory RUPES shot







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  6. #4
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    Re: Why don't Rupe's or Flex offer paint thickness gauges?

    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.

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

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Phillips View Post
    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





    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!





    The obligatory RUPES shot






    Mike, did you tour the Griots manufacturing plant lol.

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  9. #6
    Mike Phillips
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    Re: Why don't Rupe's or Flex offer paint thickness gauges?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ronin47 View Post

    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.



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

    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
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  12. #8
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    Re: Why don't Rupe's or Flex offer paint thickness gauges?

    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.

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

    Quote Originally Posted by Ronin47 View Post
    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.

    LOL...that's how rumors get started and perpetuated on down the line.
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    Re: Why don't Rupe's or Flex offer paint thickness gauges?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike@ShineStruck View Post
    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...

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