Flex 3401 or rupes bigfoot.

arkus said:
is it really that much better than the flex ?
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That would be pretty subjective and the answer would probably vary depending on if the person responding really likes the Flex or not...

At the very least I would say the Rupes is noticeably smoother and require far less effort on the users part. Can't say for certain which corrects faster as I no longer have my Flex to compare them, but based on my past use on the Flex I would say they are pretty close when both equipped with foam pads, but with MF pads the Rupes clearly has the edge. I also feel the Rupes finishes better.

Just my $.02
 
Well I guess I'll have to put the Rupes on my list then..
 
I agree the 21 hands down also. WIth the 21 you can pick up the 5" backing plate like i did and the 21 works great with the 5" backing plate so you get the best of both worlds. Just remember which ever one you get do the washer upgrade its worth it.
 
Alton, get the 21 with an additional 5" BP. I know you make good money, you can afford it! :props:

Just a little pressure is all you need with the 21!
 
I'm going to get the 21 inch package but i'm in no hurry .
I have a lot of buffers .
I'll wait until i have a bunch of items to order or a buffer sale .
 
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I have to try that optimum wash and wax no rinse
 
21 in my cart..

AG does not help my wallet.
 
You might want to try give this fellow a ring and see if he has a LHR21ES that you can take for test drive. He is in the Portland area.


Dekany Paint Restoration
Phone Number: (503)-939-4065
 
IMHO I think I want a Rupes 21 but when I think of the price UGGGHHHH. You gotta remember that price is only to start. You gotta buy more pads and other accessories and none of this stuff is gonna be on BOGO or on sale no time soon.
 
ww2717 said:
You might want to try give this fellow a ring and see if he has a LHR21ES that you can take for test drive. He is in the Portland area.


Dekany Paint Restoration
Phone Number: (503)-939-4065
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Thomas is a very cool guy!
 
runrun411 said:
IMHO I think I want a Rupes 21 but when I think of the price UGGGHHHH. You gotta remember that price is only to start. You gotta buy more pads and other accessories and none of this stuff is gonna be on BOGO or on sale no time soon.
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And so the other foot drops! :eek:

I'm so jones-in' for the VIP kit, but have to think is the RUPES really what I need at this time. :dunno: I was thinking (up until very recently) that the 3401 would do exactly what I need, when I needed it. In fact, what I'd like to see is a side-by-side (like Mike did with the 15 / 21) but with the 21 vs the 3401. Now THAT would tell a story I wanna' hear! ;)

I'm not worried about the pad thing, being as I have dozens in both 5½ & 6½, flat or CCS. I also realize that the 3401 doesn't play well with MF pads, but considering how well it plays with everything else, and how much better it corrects, then is that really an issue?

What I really need.... is someone locally that has one, or both (before the sale runs out I guess).... and try them out. Either that, or haul my (as my Daddy used to call it) A-double-scribble down to Autogeek next week. :laughing:
 
cardaddy said:
And so the other foot drops! :eek:

I'm so jones-in' for the VIP kit, but have to think is the RUPES really what I need at this time. :dunno: I was thinking (up until very recently) that the 3401 would do exactly what I need, when I needed it. In fact, what I'd like to see is a side-by-side (like Mike did with the 15 / 21) but with the 21 vs the 3401. Now THAT would tell a story I wanna' hear! ;)

I'm not worried about the pad thing, being as I have dozens in both 5½ & 6½, flat or CCS. I also realize that the 3401 doesn't play well with MF pads, but considering how well it plays with everything else, and how much better it corrects, then is that really an issue?

What I really need.... is someone locally that has one, or both (before the sale runs out I guess).... and try them out. Either that, or haul my (as my Daddy used to call it) A-double-scribble down to Autogeek next week. :laughing:
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I can do that with a 15?
 
Kaban said:
I don't plan on trading my Flex for anything any time soon. I'm just an enthusiast at the moment and for me, the Flex can do what any other machine can do. Time savings and feel is a subjective matter. I remember when Flex was THE MACHINE and everyone was getting them. Now all of a sudden half of the people in this thread are bashing it just because something new came out. I am starting to think it's all in your heads and you just want the next new thing. I give it another year before there's something new to come to the scene and people will be talking smack about the Bigfoot in similar fashion pointing out all its faults. I never had issues of the Flex walking me all over the place, it was a bit tricky at first since I've never used other buffers but the learning curve is very narrow and learning to use it was not hard at all for me.
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:iagree:+1
I've been following this forum for a while and I have seen the same kind of "latest and greatest" a number of times: Flex 3401, Flex PE 14-2, Dewalt 849. Same ooh's and aah's. Embarassingly, I now own all three. They all work and they all do a great job. So, I'll pass on this latest and greatest.
 
I use MF pads on my 3401 with no walking. I keep the pad really clean and mist it with water. I also hold the 3401 at 7 o'clock /2 o'clock.
 
luv a shine said:
I use MF pads on my 3401 with no walking. I keep the pad really clean and mist it with water. I also hold the 3401 at 7 o'clock /2 o'clock.
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I agree that flex doesn't walk whenever you get used to it. And yeah, rupes is just much smoother. Dont get me wrong. i use flex much more. Heh.
 
I will wait on the new flex . I ran over mine with an Audi and flex fixed it under warranty.💣
 
Andr3wilson said:
I can do that with a 15?
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Would really like to hear your thoughts on the Rupes 15!!! Most of the posts on another forum from pros using the 21 with 5" backing plate and washer mode are very positive--total polishing time significanty reduced because the 21 cuts like a Flex but finishes down much better (in most cases LSP ready). Much less fatigue because using slower machine speeds and little pressure. But, not much info posted about the 15.
 
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