Rupes TA50 Mini Sander - First look...

[Mike Phillips]

Rupes TA50 Mini Sander - First look...


Autogeek now stocks the Rupes TA50 Mini Sander so after Nick placed one of these tools in the box on my desk I figured it's time to see what's in the box....

Before we take a look two comments....

1. Rupes does NOT recommend using this tool as a paint polisher. The reason I've been told why is it was not designed for long use under load which is what most of you guys will do once you attach any type of buffing pad to this pocket rocket. That said, knowing detailers and the detailing industry like I do I already know this tool is going to be abused as a paint polisher and I think Nick is working on getting pads into stock for the 2" backing plate but in this specific instance... don't quote me on that.


2. I'll be giving this tool a real world test in a few weeks on a real car with exactly what this tool is designed for and that's damp sanding a custom paint job. Check it out here...


Jay's new muscle car projects - Wetsand, cut and buff...






Stay tuned for this project.


Now on to the tool....

[Mike Phillips]

Here's everything fresh out of the box....




The fit and finish are supurb....











The TA50 comes with a small rod that you insert into the hole you see below and this is how you lock up the spindle to attach the backing plate.

[Mike Phillips]

Pick your poisen... or in this case, your favorite brand of sanding discs.... 3M Trizact or Meguiar's Unigrit....

Not sure what the future holds for 2" sanding discs but I'm a guy that lives by the philosophy,

"Whatever it takes"

So I just made my own using some scissors and an ink pen. I drew the circles quickly and cut them out just as quickly, I already know some guys will freak out because the perimeter isn't a perfect circle or the edge soft as velvet but when you're sanding in a tight area, up and down an A-pillar or along a raised body line or edge of a panel you're already supposed to be paying attention and being careful.

The big picture to me goes like this,

It already takes a long time to completely wetsand, cut and buff an entire car, why would I want to do anything that would make it take longer?

So of course, be careful, if you like take more time cutting out your own custom discs and maybe even do more steps to refine the edges. While you're doing that I'll be sanding.

[Mike Phillips]

On Autogeek.net

Rupes TA50 Mini Random Orbital Sander



Sanding Discs

Trizact 6 inch #5000 Grit Foam Discs

Trizact 6 inch #3000 Grit Foam Discs

Meguiars Unigrit Foam 3000 6 Inch Finishing Discs

Meguiars Unigrit Foam 1500 6 inch Finishing Discs

[Ray@Autogeek]

I'm very excited for this sander Mike! Can't wait for a full review. I can see this being popular for Motorcycle refinishing.

[FUNX650]

Thought that TA50# looked familiar:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ng-plates.html

Bob

[spiralout462]

Very cool! This could be a real labor saver for the professional detailer!

[Mike Phillips]

Here's the technical specs for this tool right off the Rupes website, I just took a screenshot....





And if you're attending the May Detailing Boot Camp Class you'll have a chance to use one of these tools when we go over machine wet sanding, technically it's called,

Machine Damp Sanding

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Very cool little damp sander!

[David at LC Pads]

Love it!