Rupes Bigfoot or Flex 3401 for enthusiast?

FivePoint.0 said:
You can't use a Meg's 5" BP on any Rupes. The 15 comes with a 5" BP. B&S pads work great with the Rupes polishers!
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Who is B&S?. I don't know all the acronyms around here, yet.

brondondolon said:
IMO any pad or polish you use will be fine on the rupes. I feel like that is just a suggestion due to their research and development and also to make more money. Similar to when you read a bottle of shampoo. On the bottle it will say "best when used with (brand) conditioner".

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Thanks. Do you have this machine? If so, which foam pads are you using with it?

FivePoint.0 said:
It's not a marketing ploy by Rupes. Their pads ARE the smoothest with their machines. However, switch to a 5" BP on the 21, you can throw that out the window. If you want to use 5" pads(Rupes or non), I'd suggest the LHR15.

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I need clarification. Can the LHR15 pad be used on the 21? If so, are you saying that it won't be good to use on the 21? If no go, why?

Thanks...Al
 
KenR said:
I have a Rupes 15 and I use both Rupes and 5.5" LC flat pads on it (with the appropriate backing plate). Also use the standard array of Menzerna and Wolfgang products for polishing with the machine.

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Me too and on the Duetto too. I use my pc with 3" & 4" pads.
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
If you put enough pressure on the Rupes you can stop the DA from moving with the exception of the smaller rotation. Similar to the PC 7424 XP. With the Flex no matter how much pressure you put down on the machine it will keep on doing what it is supposed to do.

That said, the Rupes is still a Good DA. I just preferred the Flex over the Rupes because of that. IMO the Flex is more closer to a rotary than the Rupes for that reason.

Either way you can't go wrong.

Bottom line everyone has there opinions and they are all good. It just makes us better at what we do.

Again, FivePoint.0 my opinion.

Have an awesome day!!

:xyxthumbs:
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For the novice or new detailer to da polishing the fact that the PC and Rupes stop rotating is probably a good thing.
 
slimnib said:
Remember the famous phrase "fix again Tony " I would not spend 400 + for a machine made in Italy.
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You have a lot to learn about Italian quality and need to do some research into Rupes and how long they have been making tools. Italy also makes some of the most advanced and quality packaging equipment systems in the world. (I have been selling pkg systems since 1991) I suggest you do your home work before makng such a broad prejudcial statement.
 
custmsprty said:
For the novice or new detailer to da polishing the fact that the PC and Rupes stop rotating is probably a good thing.
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I agree too. If that is the case then save the money and get the PC 7424 XP. It is about $250 less, you can get several different backing plates with no problems to any of the pads sizes ranging from 3" to 6.5" and any brand pads available; B&S (Buff and Shine to answer one of the people in this thread), Lake Country, Megs, etc. can work with the PC.

Granted the PC 7424 XP is no where near the caliber of the Rupes or Flex but learning with that machine could help him decide in the future to pick the Rupes or Flex. I started out with the PC 7424 XP and moved up to the Flex. The PC 7424 XP is fool proof especially for someone like me!!...LOL He could never destroy his paint unless he hits the paint with the PC.

The Rupes was a very nice DA, but I liked the idea of the Flex being a direct drive as opposed to a floating drive.

Either way the Rupes is a quality machine and whatever decision he decides it will be the right one.

:dblthumb2:
 
flugufrelsarinn said:
I am not a professional detailier, but I want to buy a good DA polisher for my black paint. It seems like the Rupes and Flex polishers are the most recommended around here.

Which is better for my money?
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Rupes. The flex is a much harder machine to use. Work great though but only in the right hands. My girlfriend can use my Rupes with no problem. Get the duetto. Its the easiest model to play with
 
artofdetailing said:
Rupes. The flex is a much harder machine to use. Work great though but only in the right hands. My girlfriend can use my Rupes with no problem. Get the duetto. Its the easiest model to play with
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:iagree: I have the LHR 15 and bought the Duetto recentlyand it's a great machine, really comfortable to use.

But if I was him I'd buy the PC and get 3" or 3.5" b-plate along with the 5" ( I have all three for my PC so I can use 3", 4" and 5.5" pads) so he can use it for multiple tasks.
 
flugufrelsarinn said:
I am not a professional detailier, but I want to buy a good DA polisher for my black paint. It seems like the Rupes and Flex polishers are the most recommended around here.

Which is better for my money?
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This would be a great kit, these products are excellent and you would be very happy with the results you'll achieve. And you get pretty much everything you need in one kit. This is a great starter for an enthusiast.

Wolfgang Porter Cable 7424xp Ultimate Polishing Kit
 
Methodical said:



I need clarification. Can the LHR15 pad be used on the 21? If so, are you saying that it won't be good to use on the 21? If no go, why?

Thanks...Al
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Hi Al,

The 15 and 21 come with different size backing plates. 15 is 5" and the 21 is 6". You can use the 5" backing plate with 5.5" pads on the 21, but it may not be as smooth as using as using 5.5" pads with the 5" backing plate on the 15. It certainly will work, though. I use the 21 with a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads.
 
FivePoint.0 said:
Hi Al,

The 15 and 21 come with different size backing plates. 15 is 5" and the 21 is 6". You can use the 5" backing plate with 5.5" pads on the 21, but it may not be as smooth as using as using 5.5" pads with the 5" backing plate on the 15. It certainly will work, though. I use the 21 with a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads.
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Thanks 5.0. I ordered the 21 last night. I figured - what the hell, it's only money. I will give a go and see how I like it. I will try the 5" plate, too. I plan to use my existing pads and polishes for now.

Thanks again.

PS: Are a Ford and Chevy guy?
 
Methodical said:
Thanks 5.0. I ordered the 21 last night. I figured - what the hell, it's only money. I will give a go and see how I like it. I will try the 5" plate, too. I plan to use my existing pads and polishes for now.

Thanks again.

PS: Are a Ford and Chevy guy?
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What size pads do you have? Did you buy the 5" backing plate too?

I just bought a 2014 Camaro ZL1


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FivePoint.0 said:
What size pads do you have? Did you buy the 5" backing plate too?

I just bought a 2014 Camaro ZL1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I have 6.5, 5.5 and 4" pads. I will use the 4" pads on the PC and drill attachment where necessary. The 6.5 and 5.5 will be the work horse for my fleet of vehicles 4-5 vehicles.

I asked about Ford and Chevy because of your screen name and your signature. How are the Camaros these days? I have not followed the new development of these newer muscle cars - just stuck in my Cobra 5.0 pushrod days - haha!
 
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