Flex 3401 vs rupes 21 mark 2

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Elijah

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Hey Mike I have the 3401 what's all the hype about rupes 21 mark 2 is there fast defect removal with the mark 2 by rupes. And what's the difference between the 2 machines is one better than another.
 
The Rupes is like a woman, you have to treat it right and finesse it all the time or it'll stop working for you and everyone else will say it's your fault. I have multiple rupes machines and only reach for my mini to do intricate areas because Flex refuses to make a mini forced rotation. With that said, I always reach for one of my flex machines!
 
Oh No the dreaded Flex vs Rupes question. Both are excellent machines. I am a Flex 3401 Fanboy and IMO it is the best of both worlds. It is a hybrid rotary and DA. I recently tried a new jeweling polish (3M Perfect-It Ultrafine) and the instructions said this product was specifically designed for a rotary. I called the 3M rep and he said that the Flex 3401 could be just as effective as it has the "forced rotation" and it was him that said the Flex 3401 was a hybrid.

All I do know is that there is no need for me to look at a Rupes and I am sure vice versa for the Rupes Fanboys. All I know is that the Flex will tackle any curved panel with ease. A free floating DA you have to "finese" your way. The Rupes is smoother and quieter and you can probably work longer compared to the Flex. But getting used to either machine will make you great either way.

Again, BOTH are awesome DA's just a matter of differences in preference.
 
Elijah said:
Hey Mike I have the 3401 what's all the hype about rupes 21 mark 2 is there fast defect removal with the mark 2 by rupes. And what's the difference between the 2 machines is one better than another.
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May I ask why you're curious about the Rupes?

Are you unhappy with what you have currently?

If you plan on buying, what are your goals? What kind of work? Production detailing?

Let's start here.


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Elijah said:
Hey Mike I have the 3401 what's all the hype about rupes 21 mark 2 is there fast defect removal with the mark 2 by rupes. And what's the difference between the 2 machines is one better than another.
Click to expand...

The difference is, you will need a leash with one of them..it's the law when walking the dog:bash:
 
Lotsa discussion on this topic and I've read all I could find about it in the run up to the recent Holiday Sales. Still couldn't decide with any level of confidence as it all seems to come down to user preference, user style and user technique, a collection of completely un-quantifiable personal factors.

Towards that end I snatched up enough discounted gift certificates to somewhat economically grab:

1. Rupes LHR15 Mk II w/ corresponding sets of all Rupes Pads and liquids except for the green medium pads/liquids. Also grabbed some B & S Uro-Tec pads as those seem preferred by many as well as some LC Orbital pads to try.

2. Rupes LHR75 Mini with corresponding Rupes/LC Orbital small pads.

3. FLEX 3401 VRG with sets of LC Force Hybrid pads.

Not exactly the most efficient way to go for most but I figure I'd end up in the same place if I took the piecemeal approach because 'know thyself' and all that.

With all that in mind, I figure once detailing season rolls around and I'm working on jobs, 'natural selection' will lead me to pick up whatever tool I've grown to prefer and then I'll have my answer.

I've not yet fired up the FLEX but I've had the chance to put in about 10hrs with the Rupes 15 and it's an incerdible tool but requires attention and practice. Thing is, once you seem to get into working with it and learn even the most basic of its quirks it's nearly an ethereal experience to use. Even when it doesn't seem to be working hard (due to smoothness, ergonomics and noise) you lift the pad after doing a section and see results far better than what you expected. I really, really look forward to watching my experience and technique progress, with associated results. The satisfaction will just be incredible methinks.

Now from what I've gathered, the FLEX experience will be more akin to doing a job with a supercharged GG6. Vibration and pressure will be more pronounced but results will be much quicker (than GG6). Have not used it yet but that's what I'm expecting.

Current thoughts are that on moderate to severe correction jobs, the FLEX will take care of the initial compounding step and then the more 'elegant' Rupes will come in for the polishing/refinement step. History has proved, however, that things that seem like great ideas in my mind become somewhat tempered by reality...oh well.

In my mind (with limited to no experience with either machine) the FLEX will paint the broad strokes of the final product while the Rupes will provide the gentler, more refined 'Finishing touch'.

Now I'm sure there are people out their who can wield soley one machine or the other at truly masterful levels. But I'm thinking I'm not one of those guys so I was looking for a variety of machines/methods to best address my own strengths and weaknesses; again, 'Know thyself...'

Will be interesting to see how it all turns out.

Now, anyone wanna get into the Rupes vs. GG Boss debate?

Disclaimer: I do this stuff solely for entertainment so I can take infinite amounts of time just goofing around with machine, products and technique.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
 
Elijah said:
Hey Mike I have the 3401 what's all the hype about rupes 21 mark 2 is there fast defect removal with the mark 2 by rupes. And what's the difference between the 2 machines is one better than another.
Click to expand...

Where are you from. I would recommend trying to find someone close who has a Rupes Mark II and uses it regularly and try to get together with them and give it a test drive before buying. I had a Flex 3401, a G21, a15 Mark II. I sold the 3401. I've got serious back problems and there was just so much less effort to get the results with the Rupes.
 
Rupes 15 mk2 is super smooth and gets the job done but it can stall unless you cant use it. 21 mk2 is far more powerfull than 15 and it doesnt stall.
 
Nope love the 3401 but seen the buzz about the rupes 21 mark 2
 
The 21 MKII has no competitor from any other DA, closest competitor in power and speed of correction would be a Flex PE-14 rotary. The 3401 is more around an LHR15ES. If you have absolutely no technique stick to a 3401, if you a pro, get a Rupes.
 
If I was doing this for money instead of a hobby for friends and family, I would spend the $$ to get a 21 MKll.

I am sure I would use both or have 2 machines running at times. It would be quicker than the current PC/Flex combo when my brothers are kicking in.

Regardless, I don't need a Rupes until I get take technique anyway.
 
try both of them out and decide for yourself would be the best advice, quality work can be done with both types of machines...
 
Elijah said:
Hey Mike I have the 3401 what's all the hype about rupes 21 mark 2 is there fast defect removal with the mark 2 by rupes. And what's the difference between the 2 machines is one better than another.
Click to expand...
Flex is better more power to cut through pretty much anything faster much faster.would like to correct a hood in 25 minutes or one hr.To much stalling with rupes and griots..added time to a job when it deosnt have to be.I have a flex and rotary and 2 griots da.
 
GSKR said:
Flex is better more power to cut through pretty much anything faster much faster.would like to correct a hood in 25 minutes or one hr.To much stalling with rupes and griots..added time to a job when it deosnt have to be.I have a flex and rotary and 2 griots da.
Click to expand...

You traded back your Griots 21 shortly after getting it for another GG6 right? Now that you have 2 GG6's do you usually have 1 equipped with a 3" backing plate and the other with a 5"? Or do you just keep the 2nd one stashed in case 1 breaks down?


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Eldorado2k said:
You traded back your Griots 21 shortly after getting it for another GG6 right? Now that you have 2 GG6's do you usually have 1 equipped with a 3" backing plate and the other with a 5"? Or do you just keep the 2nd one stashed in case 1 breaks down?

Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...
Good memories,I do a lot of cars with the gg6 and tight areas with the Ibrid.Te flex I use for bigger projects and keep the other gg6 as a back up.I tried the g21 and I knew that this wasn't for me as I returned it 20 minutes later.The rupes is ok,but not for the price.3401 is a real time saver with the right pads and products you can expedite anything.
 
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