Quality 3" Orbital Polisher

FinishingTouchA

FinishingTouchA

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Long story short I bought a 3" GG Polisher 2 years ago and it's a chinese pos. Ever since day 1 it felt cheap and had hardly any power. About 6 months of use and the velcro fell off the backing plate. I put some 3m velcro on and it lasted until a couple days ago but it's just time to get something good. I have a shop now and my tools get used a lot. My flex runs 5-6 hours a day every day. I have a Rupes 21 I bought when I got the GG and I still love it and it's been a quality tool.
My question is, what are my options for a 3" orbital that's built to last? I'm leaning towards the lhr75e just because it seems like that's the only option. Also found the 3M pneumatic but I think my compressor might struggle a little. I mainly use the 3" for headlight restorations and wetsanding deep RIDS so it doesn't get used all day but I really need something with more power, the GG hardly spins until you get it cranked up to 5 or 6.
 
I have my 6 inch gg polisher set up with a 3 inch or like 2 7/8 bp from 3m and it works like a champ.
 
FinishingTouchA said:
Long story short I bought a 3" GG Polisher 2 years ago and it's a chinese pos. Ever since day 1 it felt cheap and had hardly any power. About 6 months of use and the velcro fell off the backing plate. I put some 3m velcro on and it lasted until a couple days ago but it's just time to get something good. I have a shop now and my tools get used a lot. My flex runs 5-6 hours a day every day. I have a Rupes 21 I bought when I got the GG and I still love it and it's been a quality tool.
My question is, what are my options for a 3" orbital that's built to last? I'm leaning towards the lhr75e just because it seems like that's the only option. Also found the 3M pneumatic but I think my compressor might struggle a little. I mainly use the 3" for headlight restorations and wetsanding deep RIDS so it doesn't get used all day but I really need something with more power, the GG hardly spins until you get it cranked up to 5 or 6.
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Get the Mini, you won't be disappointed.:props:
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Maybe Griot's will make a BOSS 3". Here's hoping, anyway.
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Prolly. Just like the Rupes Mini.

But in the mean time, get a real Rupes Mini. That should serve your needs well. Nobody seems to have copied it yet. Not surprised your upset with your original purchase. The machine seems to be universally disliked for correction and durability.
 
I have been overly impressed with our LHR75e since I got it... hands down the smoothest little machine I have ever used... and it performs great, too.
 
S4Dallas said:
How about the Flex PE? It will run 3" pads.
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I have a flex pe14-2 that runs 3" pads but my lake country backing plate broke off and using pliers to take off the remains happened to break the arbor lock. And I need a 3" orbital rather than rotary for sanding.
 
if you can hold off wait till SEMA, you never know what's going to come out...
 
FinishingTouchA said:
I mainly use the 3" for headlight restorations
and wetsanding deep RIDS

so it doesn't get used all day...
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Here's a suggestion for your above stated purposes:

Mirka has a 3" Orbital, along with the
necessary accompanying-accessories.


Bob
 
Ordered the Rupes with overnight shipping. I've been so happy with my 21 and after seeing a few people very happy with it I think it's the right choice. Sadly I started digging myself a hole and turned my $300 rupes into a $800 purchase lol
 
FinishingTouchA said:
Ordered the Rupes with overnight shipping. I've been so happy with my 21 and after seeing a few people very happy with it I think it's the right choice. Sadly I started digging myself a hole and turned my $300 rupes into a $800 purchase lol
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Enjoy it! Be sure to let us know how you like it.
 
FinishingTouchA said:
Ordered the Rupes with overnight shipping. I've been so happy with my 21 and after seeing a few people very happy with it I think it's the right choice. Sadly I started digging myself a hole and turned my $300 rupes into a $800 purchase lol
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The LHR75e is a great tool and I think you'll be very happy with it. :props:
I do think the pneumatic LHR75 corrects faster, but I hate listening to my compressor run all the time so I haven't used it in a long time now. I do still reach for my G110v2 I got at the NXTi training a lot too. With a smaller, custom collar and 8mm throw it's better suited for really tight areas and doesn't stall as easy as the LHR75e.

 
RaskyR1 said:
I do still reach for my G110v2 I got at the NXTi training a lot too. With a smaller, custom collar and 8mm throw it's better suited for really tight areas and doesn't stall as easy as the LHR75e.
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That's you comparing the custom collar to the stock? Is that something that is commercially available, or only something that you can get at a NXTi class?
 
Setec Astronomy said:
That's you comparing the custom collar to the stock? Is that something that is commercially available, or only something that you can get at a NXTi class?
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Yes, custom SS collar on top of the stock collar. I know Kevin had talked about the idea of making/offering them at one time but I think the cost was pretty high and I'm not sure what ever came of it. These were only offered at the 2012 class.
 
RaskyR1 said:
Yes, custom SS collar on top of the stock collar. I know Kevin had talked about the idea of making/offering them at one time but I think the cost was pretty high and I'm not sure what ever came of it. These were only offered at the 2012 class.
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Yeah, it looks like a pretty expensive piece (for what it's doing), especially with those nice graphics. This seems like something for 3D printing...maybe a file share kind of thing. Maybe wrap it with some carbon fiber tape for reinforcement.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Yeah, it looks like a pretty expensive piece (for what it's doing), especially with those nice graphics. This seems like something for 3D printing...maybe a file share kind of thing. Maybe wrap it with some carbon fiber tape for reinforcement.
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Makes you wonder why they made the stock ones so large. :dunno:
 
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