Rupes 15 vs Rupes 21 w/5" backing plate

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expdetailing

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I need to pull the trigger on the 15 or the 21. I am developing carpel tunnel in my wrists. I need fast cutting power, but hear the 21 vibrates a bit, but settles down when a 5" backing plate is used on it. Well, why not just go for the 15 then, right?
What advantages does the 21 w/ a 5" have over the 15 model?
Any thoughts?

Rupes 21 + 5" plate=$440

Rupes 15 = $369

VOTE NOW AMERICA!
 
The 21 is more powerful. I have the 15 and looking back at it wish I would have spent a bit more and got the 21. I was fortunate and bought my 15 used with all the pads but still wish I had the 21.
 
I have never used the 21 but I am very happy I went with the 15 after all of my research.
 
I'd say go for the 21 with 5" BP the reduction in vibration maybe not be that noticeable but it will for sure make corrections faster compared to using the 15, question remaining i guess would be if the price difference would be worth the little added speed, i guess thats something you have to decide upon

The pads and compound combination might also play a factor in your decision making, i love the 21 with the dedicated pads along with the rupes compounds
 
I have the 21 with a 5" backing Plate and I love it.
 
I have both and the 21 has noticeably more power .
 
I use the 15 daily and have not had issues, I got the 15 because of the price difference. It's a smooth machine for sure :)
 
I have the 21 and 75E. Love them both.
21 has more power than the 15.
21 w/ 5"BP provides flexibility to switch to 6"BP when needed.
I don't believe you can use 6"BP on the 15, my opinion.
 
TopThatDetail said:
I have the 15 and I should of got the Griots
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I almost hate to agree with this. Have both. Prefer the power of the Griots, but Rupes 15 is smooth and I like using it for medium and finish polishing. A good question would be if the 21 with smaller back plate offers more correction ability than the 15. If so, and if you need that, it would seem the better option to me based on my experience with the 15.
 
I am not a high volume detailer, but I have the GG6 and the Rupes 15. I put a 3.5 inch backing plate on the GG and love the Rupes 15. The GG works very well, but it is loud and the shaft isn't as ergonomic as the Rupes (or Flex). I love the Rupes 15. If I were more high volume and needed more power to do jobs more quickly, I'd go with the 21 as well.
 
Regarding the issues of using the 5 inch plate on the 21 and the 6 inch plate on 15, I asked Rupes about this some time ago. This was their response.

Hi Kevin,
about the back plate swapping, we allow (but not suggest) to use the 5” on the LHR21, you can have some more vibrations but we allow people doing this and the machine it’s still warranty covered. Instead, using the 6” on the LHR15 has not been technically tested so we cannot guarantee the proper functioning. Each machine is designed to work with its own back plate, so any changes could affect the performance and balance of the machine (dimensions and weights of back plates are different).

I hope I was clear in my explanation despite of my non perfect English!


Francesco Ginocchio
Marketing Manager
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My personal opinion and I'm not an expert but I feel like the 15 is obsolete. The 21 over all is better but if your worried about the price point using both Griots and 15 the griots is the better of the 2. Again IMO and solely based on my experience with both
 
kevincwelch said:
Regarding the issues of using the 5 inch plate on the 21 and the 6 inch plate on 15, I asked Rupes about this some time ago. This was their response.
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They also don't recommend the Kevin Brown washer mod or exact fit backing plate but following Kevin Brown's advise I use both with great results. Using the smaller bp on my 21 is the way I use my machine most of the time.
 
TopThatDetail said:
My personal opinion and I'm not an expert but I feel like the 15 is obsolete. The 21 over all is better but if your worried about the price point using both Griots and 15 the griots is the better of the 2. Again IMO and solely based on my experience with both
Click to expand...

I agree the Griots is better with a deafening loud motor and jackhammer-like vibration. :xyxthumbs:
 
I use my 21 with the KB mod and the OEM 6" bp, I did get the 5" bp and did that for a while, but didn't really much care for it.

So my 21 with a 6 bp with 6" or 6.5" pads.

If I want something smaller, then I just grab a different machine. I have a 2" 3" 5" and 6" and 7" bp's for whatever machine I am using.

I really disliked having to change bp's on my Rupes 21 from 6" to 5" or vice versa. Like I was saying, if I need something smaller, I just use a different machine.

However, the 21 with a 5" bp does get the job done and there is nothing wrong with using that method, but it's just not for me. Who knows, maybe one day, that will change? :)

I really do like the KB mod though.
 
Thank you for all your replies everyone. After listening to both sides of the case, I've decided to buy a 21. Can't wait for it to arrive.
 
21 +5 inch BP works great. And if you need speed add the 6BP for more accessibility.
 
I've used both but bought the 15 as it's smoother and easier to use on smaller cars - the 21 cuts more but the 15 finishes down better.
If I did a lot of vans or SUVs, then I probably would have got the 21.

The 6" BP can be used on the 15 but it's not officially supported (just like running the 5" BP on the 21, down here)
I'm only a weekend (and night time) warrior, though.
 
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