flex vs rupes

[molarman]

own a flex, and am wondering if anyone has experience with the rupes since it has a larger elliptical coverage vs the flex; is it faster, easier to handle, etc?

 

[Jaretr1]

In my brief time using a Flex 3401 and the Rupes LH21 : The Rupes is a free floating spindle design so it doesn't have the forced rotation power of the Flex. The flex to me is tough to handle and has a real learning curve. The Rupes is very smooth and is easy to handle as any DA is. I dont know which tool is faster per say, but the Rupes long throw DA's do cover more territory than a traditional DA for sure (its not just hype or a technicality).

So I guess to somewhat answer your question, yes, Rupes is much easier to handle.

 

[Zelfiris]

deleted

 

[mbpress01]

Search flex vs rupes and now Boss. You will see many many posts that will address your question. These forums seem to get this question daily and there are so many posts you will be able to at least figure out your next step. What is amazing is that my experience was the exact opposite of Jaretr1; Flex was really easy to handle, and the power of the Flex with curvy vertical panels actually resulted in a substantial decrease in detailing time since the pad never stopped spinning. Technique matters on both machines but the forced rotation of the Flex made my details time efficient and cars came out show car quality (Menzerna, LC Hybrid and Flex is a fantastic combination). Mike Phillips recently commented that abrasive technology (polishes) is super critical and maybe more important than tools so make sure you take that into account.

 

[jetman624]

As previously mentioned, this gets asked a lot so best to do a search to poll the most number of opinions.

I have been debating this recently and this was my conclusion from what I read:

If you are a professional detailer-- you will probably have both machines-- but the Flex 3401 in particular seems like a no brainer as time is money and it is definitely going to speed up the correction process.

Speed/efficiency of paint correction seems to be where the forced rotation of the Flex makes it shine above the Rupes/Boss.
BUT-- If you are not a professional and just doing your own cars, once the paint is in shape, what would you need the additional cut of a forced rotation machine for? And if you are trying to adhere to the principal of using the least aggressive method, it seems like the Flex would more often then not just be overkill at that point...

Again, just my impression from my reading the forums and watching YouTube reviews.

I ended up purchasing the BOSS 15 with the 5" in plate. The paint on my truck is pretty rough right now, and it will probably take me a bit longer with this machine vs. the Flex to get it right. But the machine I got should be more than capable, and once its done, then I will be using the machine for applying waxes, glazes, AIO, etc-- stuff I don't need the extra cut of a forced rotation machine for. Also, the truck is a 4 door, so reaching across the roof with one hand to ensure every inch is covered is almost a given-- this should be a bit easier with the BOSS 15.

Right or wrong, that was my line of reasoning, and I am married to the choice now. Good luck with your decision.

 

[custmsprty]

Jetman The BOSS will power right through your truck, it's a beast I did this 3 step test just screwing around last weekend. I knocked out this 3 step, compound, polish and seal in about 30 minutes. Amazing results.

 

[mbpress01]

I recently wrote this
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/flex-polishers/92511-flex-first-time-experience.html. See post 23.

Rupes and I assume Boss or any large throw polisher don't really need the pad to spin to correct or polish. If you can perfect the pad spinning on the harder panels then no doubt both those machines will perform incredibly well. With the Flex it just spins and to some extent mentally you feel like you are correcting finishing faster and possibly better but the stalling on Rupes and maybe Boss doesn't matter but it may feel like no work is getting done, which is false. I don't know why this is never discussed but I think I know the difference now. You made a great decision on the Boss as it looks like a great machine.

 

[custmsprty]

I'm sorry but unless you've personally used a specific machine I wouldn't speculate about how well it does or doesn't work. It's not fair to the manufacturer or to someone who may want to purchase it.

That being said, I own a new BOSS 21 and it is an amazing machine and to my knowledge it doesn't stall. Get a hold of one turn it on in the palm of your hand at speed 6 and see if you can stall it like a PC. You'll have a rude awakening and a burnt hand.

I also own Rupes LHR15, Duetto and Mini and these are all excellent machines. I have a GG6 and a new Flex PE8. These are the only machines I would personally comment on since I own them and have first hand experience with them. I don't own a Flex 3401 so I can't comment on that machine. I also learned with a PC, sold it to a friend so he could learn.

 

[jetman624]

I'm sorry but unless you've personally used a specific machine I wouldn't speculate about how well it does or doesn't work. It's not fair to the manufacturer or to someone who may want to purchase it.

Are you seriously asserting that no one can speak intelligently on something they have not personally tried? That researching the findings of others is completely invalid?

LOL. Do yourself a favor, buddy, and stay away from grad school.

Obviously you shouldn't go around belligerently knocking things you haven't tried, but surely anyone at a middle school student's reading comprehension level can see no one here was doing that.

 

[custmsprty]

Are you seriously asserting that no one can speak intelligently on something they have not personally tried? That researching the findings of others is completely invalid?

LOL. Do yourself a favor, buddy, and stay away from grad school.

Obviously you shouldn't go around belligerently knocking things you haven't tried, but surely anyone at a middle school student's reading comprehension level can see no one here was doing that.

You see it your way and I see it my buddy. Nothing beats hands on experience. You don't get that with opinions or videos. No need for the personal attacks about my education level, you are the one be "belligerent" buddy. So do "yourself" a favor and let's leave it at that, your higher learning is showing itself buddy.

 

[tdekany]

Are you seriously asserting that no one can speak intelligently on something they have not personally tried? That researching the findings of others is completely invalid?

LOL. Do yourself a favor, buddy, and stay away from grad school.

Obviously you shouldn't go around belligerently knocking things you haven't tried, but surely anyone at a middle school student's reading comprehension level can see no one here was doing that.

Sorry, reading your first post in this thread validates custmsprty reply. Both machines will cut as well as the operator can manage. The machines will not be the weak link.

I don't need the extra cut of a forced rotation machine for.

You are completely off here, you do sound like a newbie who "READS" instead of actually use. I would apologize to custmsprty if I were you.
In "my" user opinion, the Rupes is a superior cutting and finishing polisher.

 

[custmsprty]

Sorry, reading your first post in this thread validates custmsprty reply. Both machines will cut as well as the operator can manage. The machines will not be the weak link.



You are completely off here, you do sound like a newbie who "READS" instead of actually use. I would apologize to custmsprty if I were you.
In "my" user opinion, the Rupes is a superior cutting and finishing polisher.

Thanks.

This is a great new review of a from a fellow forum member that has owned and used the Flex 3401, Rupes 21 and now owns a GG21. His input having used all three is great information and appreciated and well written focusing on the positives of things.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/92850-first-impression-boss-21-a.html

 

[mbpress01]

After reading through all these forums for years now, no one should take any offense at anything anyone says since everyone is entitled to their opinion. The thread was about Flex vs Rupes and I finally understand the difference and I can speak from experience since I have owned both and used both - Rupes 15, mini and duetto and Flex. Flex to me works great and does what I need it to do. Rupes was too hard for me to control since I had no idea that pad rotation is not critical (as per Todd Helme, not my opinion HIS opinion) and since the machine will polish/correct with the orbit by itself, having technique to have the pad rotate helps but isn't critical (which by the way runs counter to everything I have ever read or studied). In that light, both machines are excellent and will perform but in "my" user opinion I find the Flex to cut and finisher better and just as importantly faster.

 

[tdekany]

LOL. Do yourself a favor, buddy, and stay away from grad school.

Are you ok with this? I hope not. This was not necessary

After reading through all these forums for years now, no one should take any offense at anything anyone says since everyone is entitled to their opinion. The thread was about Flex vs Rupes and I finally understand the difference and I can speak from experience since I have owned both and used both - Rupes 15, mini and duetto and Flex. Flex to me works great and does what I need it to do. Rupes was too hard for me to control since I had no idea that pad rotation is not critical (as per Todd Helme, not my opinion HIS opinion) and since the machine will polish/correct with the orbit by itself, having technique to have the pad rotate helps but isn't critical (which by the way runs counter to everything I have ever read or studied). In that light, both machines are excellent and will perform but in "my" user opinion I find the Flex to cut and finisher better and just as importantly faster.

 

[jetman624]

This is just classic.

All the people who relied on researching the opinions of others to purchase their machines, that they now proudly proclaim to have first hand experience with, crap on the guy who shared and clearly disclaimed the reasoning behind his research based opinion in a forum-- probably the same forum they themselves used to form their initial opinions-- that exists to share opinions.

The arrogance and irony are overwhelming.

I hate to burst your bubble, but your opinion based on your actual experience doesn't invalidate the opinion of someone who arrived there by researching the opinions of others.

Now, I fully understand and appreciated that people may value the opinions of someone who has first hand experience vs a research based opinion differently. That is why I very clearly disclaimed how mine was formed. I also know that there are a relatively small number of people who have actually tried all these machines and that not all of them post in every single thread that comes up about this topic, as it comes up quite often. So there is really no reason anyone should be taking a crap on someone who was merely sharing the reasoning behind their recent purchase.

I didn't say one machine was better or worse than another or tell OP which HE should buy. I shared my impressions of the two machines at the conclusion of my research, how that aligned with what I felt I needed, and the machine I purchased. Why some of you have gotten your panties all in a bunch over that I will never understand.

 

[jetman624]

Are you ok with this? I hope not. This was not necessary

Clearly you missed the point of that comment.

You guys are crapping on a research based opinion. If you don't see any value in an opinion based on research, you would surely struggle with higher education. That wasn't meant as a slam on anyone-- it was meant to illustrate that researched based opinions are not worthless, despite yours, his, and many others here assertions to the contrary.

 

[custmsprty]

Clearly you missed the point of that comment.

You guys are crapping on a research based opinion. If you don't see any value in an opinion based on research, you would surely struggle with higher education. That wasn't meant as a slam on anyone-- it was meant to illustrate that researched based opinions are not worthless, despite yours, his, and many others here assertions to the contrary.

Well it sure came across as a slam, really no other way to take it.

Research, videos, feedback, opinions are all great and I rely on them to a point.

Ultimately nothing can replace hands on training or hands on experience.

If that was't the case the USAF would have let me work on their jets when I was in the service after 9 months of class room instruction. Instead they put me through a carefully guided hands on training over the next couple years. And I still had to pass tests as each next level was attained. And those tests were invariably "hands on".

But, you can feel free to hop on an airliner for your next trip that's been fixed by a person who learned it from a book or took a persons opinion how to fix it.

That being said, don't bother replying to me, I won't see it, I've added you to my ignore list so I won't see your inane posts.

How's that for a higher education "buddy"

:nomore:

 

[jetman624]

Research, videos, feedback, opinions are all great and I rely on them to a point.

Ultimately nothing can replace hands on training or hands on experience.

Yes, I agree. For forming YOUR OWN opinion, nothing beats hands on experience. But that doesn't mean YOUR opinion formed from hands on experience invalidates the opinion of someone's that was formed from research. And it certainly doesn't mean people should be dissuaded from sharing their reasoning for their purchase in a public forum where people come to share opinions and experiences.

If that was't the case the USAF would have let me work on their jets when I was in the service after 9 months of class room instruction. Instead they put me through a carefully guided hands on training over the next couple years. And I still had to pass tests as each next level was attained. And those tests were invariably "hands on".

But, you can feel free to hop on an airliner for your next trip that's been fixed by a person who learned it from a book or took a persons opinion how to fix it.

This is a grossly false equivalence, but thank you for your service.