Rupes 15 or 21

nova power

New member
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Which unit has the same foot print as the porter cable? And if you were to have only one unit which one would you have the 15 or 21 ? I have a porter cable and would like to upgrade

Thanks
 
well if i were to have only one unit... i would choose 15.

21mm long throw is great at flat areas but when it comes to curved panels, its much headache.

I have 3 polishers, but I find myself picking up PC7424xp more than rupes 21es.... weired lol


ADDITION

BOSS 15 system would be great choice too, I know Rupes mark II is coming out with 30% more power, but BOSS is much more price friendly and already has more power than Rupes Mark I, so easier to power through curved panels.
 
can't go wrong with either the BOSS G15/21...
 
I have a Rupes 15 and G21, I prefer the G21 over it. I have 5" BP on my G21 at this time, I switch to 6" BP on big vehicles. On mid size I use my Duetto as it's light like the PC but is much smoother and faster correction. The Duetto is the tool I use the most.
 
I have 5" BP on my G21 at this time, I switch to 6" BP on big vehicles. The Duetto is the tool I use the most.


Really? This is very different than I would approach things....not to say you are wrong.

Why the duetto instead of the 21 or 15 on smaller cars? I think it would take me more time.

Why the 5" plate as SOP? I would use the 6" right up to the point I need the 5" for quarters and tight areas.

I'm in no way suggesting what you are doing is wrong, just want to know why it's working best for you....perhaps I need to re-evaluate my approaches.
 
Ok I think some posts strayed off never asked about a boss or flex or mini . The question was regarding Rupes 15 or 21
 
If you are looking to have one machine to use for a majority of your work I would go with the 15. I have the 15 and also have a 21 that is only used with larger pads on flat panels. I would say that I use the 15 75% of the time and it is my go to polisher. I just recently sold my 15 and will be picking up a 15 Mark II in the next week or two.
 
I dunno... I have no issues using my 6.5 pads...just need to acquire a technique
As I've said before kn another thread
The areas the 21mm are awkward in or can't fit it..the 15mm wont be much better
May as well develop a better technique and or get a mini polisher
 
I chose the Rupes 21 however...
I use a 5" Backing Plate on it for the majority of my work.
(best of both worlds)
 
The areas the 21mm are awkward in or can't fit it..the 15mm wont be much better
May as well develop a better technique and or get a mini polisher


Good morning everyone👋🏼

For the people out there who own or have experience with both the Rupes 15 and the 21, how do you feel about what Nothingface said?

Would you agree? Or could you share your thoughts to help out someone like myself who's getting close to deciding which 1 to purchase. Your insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
Good morning everyone����

For the people out there who own or have experience with both the Rupes 15 and the 21, how do you feel about what Nothingface said?

Would you agree? Or could you share your thoughts to help out someone like myself who's getting close to deciding which 1 to purchase. Your insight would be greatly appreciated.
Ill still stick by what I've stated
Corners the 21 won't fit in..neither will the 15
Areas where theirs a narrow flat section sandwiched between 2 body lines say like a hood 15 wouldnt fit just like a 21 wouldn't.
Youd have to use it kinda like a grinder and not use you're full pad and have some of the pad exposed nothing but air

The 15 would be less awkward/adjustment but still no 3 or 4 in pad which is what those areas really need..
So I've adapted my technique to the downfall of larger pad..

I have a 75E mini now, to compliment my G21...awesome combo

6.5 pad nor 5.5 pad wont be a perfect fit for every section of the car and you'd want/need a smaller polisher/pad anyways

So may as well go with the 21mm
Cause youll still end up with a polisher that incorporates a 3 to 4in pad if you're into polishing/paint correction vs waxing
 
Keep the PC and put 3" backing plate for small pads, then get the 21 for large area coverage IMO.
 
Ill still stick by what I've stated
Corners the 21 won't fit in..neither will the 15
Areas where theirs a narrow flat section sandwiched between 2 body lines say like a hood 15 wouldnt fit just like a 21 wouldn't.
Youd have to use it kinda like a grinder and not use you're full pad and have some of the pad exposed nothing but air

The 15 would be less awkward/adjustment but still no 3 or 4 in pad which is what those areas really need..
So I've adapted my technique to the downfall of larger pad..

I have a 75E mini now, to compliment my G21...awesome combo

6.5 pad nor 5.5 pad wont be a perfect fit for every section of the car and you'd want/need a smaller polisher/pad anyways

So may as well go with the 21mm
Cause youll still end up with a polisher that incorporates a 3 to 4in pad if you're into polishing/paint correction vs waxing


That's what I was hoping to hear! And it makes complete sense.
Same situation can happen between a smaller 8mm polisher and 1 equipped with a 3" pad.. If you can't get into the nooks & cranies it's because you need to plug in your other polisher!
I should've known that by now.. Brain fart. Lol.

You made perfect sense👍🏽
 
Just a couple days ago I was dealing with that same exact situation. Except on a smaller scale.. I had neglected these narrow areas for a while because I didn't have a 3" backing plate/pad. And just like the 21 nor the 15mm can fit, the 5" pad simply isn't going to be able to fit in other areas..

The light bulb has turned on💡lol.
Look at how dirty that narrow strip under the rear windows had been due to not having the proper tool.

View attachment 40619

As you know, white paint is a PITA to photograph, but 50/50 right side is clean after compound.

View attachment 40620
 
Back
Top