autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum Autogeek on TV
car wax, car care and auto detailing forumAutogeekonline autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum HomeForumBlogAutogeek.net StoreDetailing Classes with Mike PhillipsGalleryDetailing How To's
 
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 23
  1. #11
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    280
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    Well, without any more input, seems like the consensus is the forced rotation category.

    At the risk of hijacking my own thread, now I'd like to know why the Flex is recommended so much more highly than the Mille. Here's my comparison:
    Price - Roughly the same, although the Rupes will incur additional investment in pads and liquid
    "Throw" - Advantage Flex, 8mm to 5mm
    Smoothness - Appears to be slight advantage Rupes
    Quietness - Also appears to be slight advantage Rupes
    Direction of rotation - Apparently, this is a non-issue
    Warranty - I think the same
    Power - Equal
    OPM - Flex, by a narrow margin
    Weight - Flex, by about half a pound (assuming lighter is better?)
    Cord length, Rupes, by a small margin (4 feet compared to the HD)
    Other - Rupes includes a progressive accelerator trigger

    I've not used either, so I don't really have a personal comparison, and I am "stuck" with technical comparisons and recommendations from people like you who have way more experience than me. Is the consensus that the Flex is the better piece of equipment for my next purchase?

    Again, you can't know how much I appreciate your willingness to lend an opinion. Thank you!

  2. #12
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    149
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    If you're set on a forced rotation, I've had both the mille and 3401. Here's some thoughts.

    Personally, I like the ergonomics of the flex tools a little more than rupes. The front handle on the 3401 puts you closer to the pad and paint which IMO gives you more control over keeping the pad flat. The trigger on the 3401 is also "progressive."

    The Mille is smoother, quieter and runs cooler, and also has a 30'ish cord thats awesome. It has a longer body which yields lower vibration, but it also has a higher center of gravity (and can feel "tipsy" sometimes compared to the flex, which usually felt "planted.") Also, the small top "grip" on the Mille never felt right. It works on their long throws, but I don't care for the feel of it when operating the tool.

    I'm currently also selling my Mille (another local detailer is giving it a test drive currently) because, honestly, I still prefer my PE14 and long throws over the forced units. IMO, learn the rotary, then you're able to tackle those small spots that would need multiple polishers, and then do your finishing step with a 15mm and mini. More up front cost, but the toll on your body will be significantly less with a long throw.

    Hope this helps!
    Brandon Visser | 269-569-1900 | b5visser@live.com
    Owner/Appearance Specialist | @domainappearance

  3. Likes dlc95 liked this post
  4. #13
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    280
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    B5visser,

    That does help, thanks!

    Just from pictures alone, I would have guessed the Mille to be more friendly to hold and use. Thanks for giving me your opinion.

  5. #14
    Super Member Rsurfer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    14,085
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    Quote Originally Posted by mk9750 View Post
    B5visser,

    That does help, thanks!

    Just from pictures alone, I would have guessed the Mille to be more friendly to hold and use. Thanks for giving me your opinion.
    There are probably 1000X's more 3401 owners/users than the Mille, so it may not be an equal scale. I've used both and prefer the Millie, but the MKII's are my go to machine.

  6. Likes dlc95 liked this post
  7. #15
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    280
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    Rsurfer,

    Excellent point, but one then has to ask why such an imbalance? I presume a lot has to do with how long each has been available. Any other reason to support such a large percentage of Flex owners?

    And you're now the second person to suggest perhaps a long throw machine might be a good choice.

    To respond to b5visser again, I actually don't have my heart set on anything. No choice that I make is going to be wrong, I believe, but I'm trying to make the best choice for me. I started the thread without any preconceived ideas (well, actually I started with the assumption that given my current set up with a small backing plate on the generic DA I have, i wouldn't likely be buying a small machine). I'd still love to hear opinions about long throw versus forced rotation. Most everyone on here is way smarter than me. I'll listen to everyone's opinion.

    Thanks!

  8. #16
    Super Member Rsurfer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    14,085
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    Flex (3401) has about a 10 year jump on the Millie.

  9. #17
    Super Member Farmallluvr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    507
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    I have been leaning toward getting a Makita PO5000cx1,I have 2 Makita rotarys and a Milwaukee Rotary and an RBL 18mm longthrow random orbital but I don't care for it.
    nothing against the Flex but I think I would prefer the Makita,,I was also considering the Rupes,a GG and another one I can't think of that moment

    Makita PO5000C 5? Dual Action Random Orbit Polisher
    “I have trouble with names and faces, but I never forget a car.”

  10. #18
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    149
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    Just starting out with a long throw, there will be a little bit more of a learning curve to keep the pad spinning in curves and convex areas, but once you get the hang of it, its really easy to submit to muscle memory. Draw a nice fat sharpie line on the backing plate and watch it spin as you polish.

    As stated countless times before in the continuous "flex vs rupes" debate, a forced rotation unit will always keep the pad spinning and thus correcting. Keep in mind, however, that just because a long throw stops spinning, does not mean that it is not correcting the paint beneath it. It is correcting, just not as fast as when it oscillates AND spins. Todd Helme from Rupes has done extensive leg work in making that case and supporting it. I'm a 21mk2 user with the 5" backing plate FWIW.

    One thing to keep in mind, the BIG picture. All these modern tools do an awesome job correcting paint, and paired with proper compounds and pads, they all have the potential to be paint slaying machines! Different strokes for different folks.

    And the Makita PO5000c is a very nice machine too. Ergonomics and performance are fantastic!

    Good luck!
    Brandon Visser | 269-569-1900 | b5visser@live.com
    Owner/Appearance Specialist | @domainappearance

  11. Likes Rsurfer, PaulMys liked this post
  12. #19
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Sweden
    Posts
    3,022
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    It's much about how you feel your technique works with a free spinning DA. If you are feeling you have a good technique to keep the pad spinning. I would consider to go with a longthrow polisher. The pad will be spinning at all time with a direct driven orbital polisher. And a thing most not mention is to get a direct driven orbital polisher to run as smooth as possible. Is to hold it balanced and the pad flat on the paint. And you get more fatigued if you don't get the technique right. There is the longthrow polishers benefit with a much smoother running experience when polishing.

    The Mille has not been out that long so many has not getting one yet. What I have heard about it is when useing their pads on it they are very smooth to be a direct driven DA.

  13. #20
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    149
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Which "Next" Polisher

    Agreed, Mille is verrrry smooth.
    Brandon Visser | 269-569-1900 | b5visser@live.com
    Owner/Appearance Specialist | @domainappearance

  14. Likes SWETM liked this post
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 15
    Last Post: 06-17-2021, 08:14 AM
  2. Griot's 3" Mini Polisher works great as a 3" Dampsander
    By Mike Phillips in forum How to articles
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-12-2019, 02:33 PM
  3. Griots Garage 6" Polisher with 3" Backing Plate?
    By bryanviper in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-20-2017, 09:26 AM
  4. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 07-20-2016, 07:27 PM
  5. Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-11-2016, 09:11 PM

Members who have read this thread: 0

There are no members to list at the moment.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» March 2024

S M T W T F S
2526272829 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 123456