Lake Country Hybrid Force Pads on Rupes Mille ?

[TTQ B4U]

Looking to add another forced rotation buffer to the mix. I have two 3401's but this time I'm interested in looking at the Mille so long as it will function with the pads I already have and use on my flex units. Most all are Lake Country Hybrid Force pads. I see no reason why they wouldn't work but I want to be sure. I have no interest in having to re-buy all new pads and given it functions pretty much like a flex I don't see a reason why I wouldn't be able to use them.

Looking for some insight here. Also, has anyone garnered any time frames for them becoming available? Thanks!

 

[lane5515]

I have used the Flex 3401 for years and just purchased the Mille. I used my LC Force Hybrid pads with the Mille and it worked just fine.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I have used the Flex 3401 for years and just purchased the Mille. I used my LC Force Hybrid pads with the Mille and it worked just fine.

Good to hear. Any thoughts on comparing the two? Benefits over one another? I'm looking at it as vs 3 of a kind just trying the other one out. Input appreciated.

 

[B5visser]

Good to hear. Any thoughts on comparing the two? Benefits over one another? I'm looking at it as vs 3 of a kind just trying the other one out. Input appreciated.

I think you'll like the Mille over the 3401- its just a more refined machine all around. I too have a few leftover LC hybrids from my 3401, and yes, they work just fine.

One of my favorite combos on the Mille is the carpro flash pads. They cut like a grinding wheel (even on speed 3) and finish down pretty well in return. I would put the flash pads and Mille close to rotary speed territory (albeit they're mostly used for "spot" corrections).

 

[Duy]

I'm on the fence too with purchasing a Mille. I had purchased a Makita PO5000 and added a Flex 3401 to have something as a back up if one decides to go out on me during a correction plus the Flex was a steal of a price so it was a no brainer. I also like the neutral color design of the Mille and hearing that the device is more "refined" compare to the Flex makes me want one.

 

[Mike Phillips]

I've used the 5.5" LC HDO pads on the Mille and the Makita gear-driven orbitals and they work fine. I have not used the 5" Hybrid Force pads yet, just have not had time but seems like they would work just find. I think the softer polishing, finishing and waxing versions of any pad will buff real smooth on this tool.


The most important factor with any tool is the abrasive technology used, pads are a lot less of a factor as long as you match the "type" of pad, (cutting, polishing, finishing, waxing), to the product and process.


Being gear-driven, the Mille will turn and churn just about any pad but if it were me I'd stick to 5.5" diameter sizes and when it comes to gear-driven, pad thickness is less of an issue.


And just to point out, usually the manufacturer knows their products best so the RUPES Mille pads and products from RUPES should be given due credit but I'm sure RUPES knows guys are going to be all over the board with pad and product choice.

 

[Mike Phillips]

hearing that the device is more "refined" compare to the Flex makes me want one.

I'm not sure what people mean by the word "refine" but due to the smaller orbit stroke length, the Mille and the Makita are both smoother in that there is less "walking effect" if you don't hold the pad completely flat to the surface.

I have found the Mille to have the walking-effect when I'm buffing into curved body panels with the stiffer cutting pads.

Mille = 5mm orbit stroke length
Makita = 5mm orbit stroke length
FLEX 3401 = 8mm orbit stroke length

 

[TTQ B4U]

Great feedback everyone. Sounds like I can't go wrong with one and since I already have the Flex units it will be nice to see the latest that's out there. No complaints on the flex though.

 

[rlmccarty2000]

I’ve heard/read that the new Rupes Mille polishes have more lubrication to counter the “walking” gear driven polishers are prone to.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I'll post my thoughts this weekend as mine should be here Friday.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8 using Tapatalk

 

[osiapstndp]

I'll post my thoughts this weekend as mine should be here Friday.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8 using Tapatalk

I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience. I love using my Flex 3401 and Force pads, but the 5mm orbit of the Rupes tool has me thinking.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience. I love using my Flex 3401 and Force pads, but the 5mm orbit of the Rupes tool has me thinking.

are you finding the 8mm throw on the Flex is what is causing it to walk or control you a bit more?

to me I don't find the flex bothersome at all. I love the smoothness of a the Rupes long throws and they have power but I won't buy a non forced unit any longer and don't mind the 8mm pull that it seems to have.

 

[Duy]

Please let me know how you like the Mille on Friday. I'm in the same boat as you where I have the Hybrid Force pads and I'd rather not replace the entire setup if I can use it with the Mille.

 

[osiapstndp]

are you finding the 8mm throw on the Flex is what is causing it to walk or control you a bit more?

to me I don't find the flex bothersome at all. I love the smoothness of a the Rupes long throws and they have power but I won't buy a non forced unit any longer and don't mind the 8mm pull that it seems to have.

Sometimes it feels like the 8mm throw is too much. On roofs, for example, it pulls and pushes on its own when I can't put enough weight on the head of the machine. The roof is where I find the Flex is most uncomfortable, but on long hoods it's sometimes not a fun experience either. It seems like the 8mm throw is a culprit.

It isn't *that* bad though and I've never completed a car and thought I felt "beat up" by the machine, but then again I've never used free spinning tools from start to completion because I always go back to the 3401 or to a Flex rotary for cutting. Even when I try to only use my Griot's G15 on flat panels I end up ditching it. On a lot of the factory clear I've worked on the 3401 has finished down beautifully with M205 and a white or black Hybrid or Force pad. Even on super soft aftermarket clear I've been able to finish it with the 3401 and some finesse.

 

[Kiddersdetailing]

i currently have 95% lake country pads, gg6 and aios. meg stuff for paint correction and this exact thread pushed me to preorder the mille instead of order the 3401. I decided to preorder the mille standard kit because i will be using this tool for extended periods of time not only on cars, but boats. I'm all for a work out but i also want to adapt the rupes system eventually after my pads and product deplete. My 1988 23' sea ray sorrento will be the first Vitim with the rupes which is heavily oxidized.

 

[TTQ B4U]

i currently have 95% lake country pads, gg6 and aios. meg stuff for paint correction and this exact thread pushed me to preorder the mille instead of order the 3401. I decided to preorder the mille standard kit because i will be using this tool for extended periods of time not only on cars, but boats. I'm all for a work out but i also want to adapt the rupes system eventually after my pads and product deplete. My 1988 23' sea ray sorrento will be the first Vitim with the rupes which is heavily oxidized.

right on! I'm excited to get mine tomorrow. My first detail is an easier new car prep and coating though but it will still serve as a good test vehicle. Looking forward to seeing the follow up posts from others here.

 

[DaveT435]

right on! I'm excited to get mine tomorrow. My first detail is an easier new car prep and coating though but it will still serve as a good test vehicle. Looking forward to seeing the follow up posts from others here.

I see you pulled the trigger. I'm interested in seeing how to see how those pads work on it. I do like thicker pads on some vehicles. I've gone to 90% Boss pads for regular compounding and polishing. I do have yellow Rupes pads. That's one of my favorite pads.

 

[fly07sti]

One thing I can’t seem to quite understand is why the Mille pads are so thin. I bought Mille pads to use on my Duetto and love em.

Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[TTQ B4U]

One thing I can’t seem to quite understand is why the Mille pads are so thin. I bought Mille pads to use on my Duetto and love em.

based on my experience with the Mille Pads which are really thin compared to say my Hybrid Force Pads on the Flex is that they designed the foam so that they can transfer maximum torque from the machines to the paint more effectively. I found initially I didn't like the Mille and IMO it was due to the thicker LC Hybrid Force pads being 1. a different material and 2. being designed differently overall. I think the "grabby" feeling I got from them on the mille was due to the torque twisting and loading up in the pad then the jumping when it was released as I worked it over the surface. Sort of like the twisting of a dragsters huge rear tires upon launch. Make sense?

In short, I think Rupes did a great job designing their pad system to match the unit.