Flex 3401 or rupes bigfoot.

[primo spaghetti]

I have the 15, have used it on about 20 cars so far. Once you have one it will make you put down your flex for good. It works fine with both foam and micro pads. What I feel it does is work the product more effectively.i have only not been able to remove some defects that I feel were to deep to safely remove anyway. I probably will try rupes pads,but you are not locked in to they're system. And the price is in line with the flex

i fumbled with the idea of getting a rupes when i upgraded my PC to teh Flex...the flex has a distinct feeling that it rotates counter clockwise, which has been a bit difficult getting used to (whether it actually does or not i cant tell...just feels like it).

Does the rupes have that same feeling and learning curve with the forced rotation, or is it essentially the same feeling with a bigger stroke over the flex?

[Danube]

Rupes is one of the best wood sanders on the market, no doubt ;-)

[68bowtie]

Hes got a GG6.

[SonOfOC]

Here's a comparison between the two.

Rupes LHR 21E Big Foot VS Flex XC 3401 VRG

Reviewer liked the 3401 more and says the Rupes is little underpowered. I guess the "modified washer" mod fixes the power issue on the Rupes.

Bottomline is that the Flex 3401 is current German king. It is a proven machine with high level of quality, fit, and finish.

Rupes is the newer kid and will need to prove himself before it takes the crown to Italy.
Force rotation vs Big stroke. We'll have to wait and see.....

[Bunky]

For some, they just do not like the forced rotation feel of the Flex but then I do not like the vibrations/noise of most DAs so the Flex is my preference.

For those that do a lot of polishing, it is more about what works for you for hours of use using your preferred process as much as raw correction ability.

[Ronnie]

The one thing that confuses me is i have been in talkes with Rupes themselves and have been told to only use the Rupes pads and compounds and nothing else. What is because I have been told the motor is quite small to eliminate vibration. They have have had motor failiures when other pads and compounds are used. This reason sor of put me off going any further with it.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Here's a comparison between the two.

Rupes LHR 21E Big Foot VS Flex XC 3401 VRG

Reviewer liked the 3401 more and says the Rupes is little underpowered. I guess the "modified washer" mod fixes the power issue on the Rupes.

Bottomline is that the Flex 3401 is current German king. It is a proven machine with high level of quality, fit, and finish.

Rupes is the newer kid and will need to prove himself before it takes the crown to Italy.
Force rotation vs Big stroke. We'll have to wait and see.....

I would rather have the forced rotation versus a bigger stroke any day of the week. No matter how hard you press down the Flex will never stop rotating.

[ww2717]

I could stop my lhr21 from rotating before the KB mod. After the KB mod I can't stop it even on setting 1.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Crazy Diamond]

At this point in time it appears the flex is still leading the way!

[PorscheGuy997]

The one thing that confuses me is i have been in talkes with Rupes themselves and have been told to only use the Rupes pads and compounds and nothing else. What is because I have been told the motor is quite small to eliminate vibration. They have have had motor failiures when other pads and compounds are used. This reason sort of put me off going any further with it.

I don't see there being a huge difference in pad weights, as long as it's the same size pad. Even then, I don't see there being a problem.

Every manufacturer wants you to use their own accessories. Yes, Rupes has designed a system: machine, pads and polishes. But, it's kind of like buying a Ford and only using Motorcraft oil. It may be the original factory fill, but you don't have to use it.