Rupes LK 900E Mille & LH 19E

[B5visser]

Initially I liked it a lot. Its got torque, its quiet, its light, smooth, runs cool. But as I used it more I noticed I liked the PE-14 better as it is shorter and has a nicer broader nose to grip. The LH19E on vertical panels especially isn’t as maneuverable as the PE-14. The only issue for me with the PE-14 is a serious one, it runs unacceptably hot so much so that it either shuts down prematurely or gets so hot you can’t even touch it. Its been in twice to Flex and they say it’s within spec. The Rupes doesn’t even get warm but the Flex handles better.

Man thats wild! My PE14 runs very cool when using 5-6.5" pads. On boats with a 8.5" pad, it does get warm, but NOTHING like my dewalt 849x. That thing operated bloody HOT!

Thanks for your input! Im know a lot of us in the states are itching to get our hands on some of these tools!

[Ronin47]

Ronin-

Any experience with the L3403 and if so, comparison to the LH19?


I've currently got the following in my stable: Boss G15, MT300, GG3 and a Rupes Mini on the way. I'm planning my next move and trying to decide whether I should think about a full size rotary (LH19, L3403, Makita) and a flex-pen style micro polisher, or if I should just go with a long neck iBrid as my next tool to buy.

I think I'd like to learn the rotary, but I'm fairly successful getting the results I need/want out of my current toolset so I wonder if it's worth complicating it.


I've considered a mille but I think that gear driven would have been a better investment prior to purchasing a full size long-throw and a long throw mini.

No, I have never used the 3403, sorry can’t comment on it. If you already have the machines you stated the Mille makes the most sense.

[JCDetails]

No, I have never used the 3403, sorry can’t comment on it. If you already have the machines you stated the Mille makes the most sense.

Not sure I'm understanding your comment...The mille (gear driven) makes more sense than a rotary or an iBrid as the next tool to add to the lineup? I sort of see a mille (or 3401 for that matter) as redundant to my Boss G15's role.

[Ronin47]

Not sure I'm understanding your comment...The mille (gear driven) makes more sense than a rotary or an iBrid as the next tool to add to the lineup? I sort of see a mille (or 3401 for that matter) as redundant to my Boss G15's role.

I responded to your first and last sentences. I own the long neck Nano but personally still find myself using the Mini over it for tighter areas and edging with it, just a personal preference. I don’t have any experience with pen sized polishers. If you getting results with your current machines I can’t see where a rotary would compliment your other machines. I like using rotary polishers but these modern DA’s be it the Mille or MKII’s are really making a hard case for reasons to own a rotary these days.

[JCDetails]

I responded to your first and last sentences. I own the long neck Nano but personally still find myself using the Mini over it for tighter areas and edging with it, just a personal preference. I don’t have any experience with pen sized polishers. If you getting results with your current machines I can’t see where a rotary would compliment your other machines. I like using rotary polishers but these modern DA’s be it the Mille or MKII’s are really making a hard case for reasons to own a rotary these days.

Ah, ok. I understand now. Conventional wisdom was that a rotary is much faster for a heavy cutting stage, i.e. after sanding. Then obviously the long throw DA can clean up the mess left behind from the rotary.

I have been hesitant on the iBrid for the reasons you state, I really wonder about how critical it is when I'm not really doing too much correction on the fancy cars that require it.


I just don't know what the Mille (or a 3401, or a Makita PO5000) brings to the table that my current tools don't

[Ronin47]

I’ve pulled out 1200 grit sanding marks on hard paint with the Mille and Clear Cut as if it was 2000 grit. The technology these days with pads,compounds and da’s doesn’t warrant a rotary anymore that I hardly find myself reaching for them recently. I do like using the rotary yes but I haven’t found a job that the da’s couldn’t handle.

[JCDetails]

I’ve pulled out 1200 grit sanding marks on hard paint with the Mille and Clear Cut as if it was 2000 grit. The technology these days with pads,compounds and da’s doesn’t warrant a rotary anymore that I hardly find myself reaching for them recently. I do like using the rotary yes but I haven’t found a job that the da’s couldn’t handle.

Totally agree. But does the mille/3401/makita offer anything that a Rupes Mini/15mm free spinner (my Griot's, or a Rupes etc) doesn't?

[Ronin47]

Totally agree. But does the mille/3401/makita offer anything that a Rupes Mini/15mm free spinner (my Griot's, or a Rupes etc) doesn't?

Completely different technologies. The Mille will cut more than any Griots and the 15 MKII but the 21 MKII cuts more than anything out there including PE-14,LH19E,Mille etc. Many have disagreed with me but after side by side testing everyone of those skeptics became believers.