Rupes LH19E Rotary review

Dr Oldz

New member
Joined
Aug 31, 2010
Messages
4,462
Reaction score
0
So I had a chance to get to use this tool a few times and would like to give my thoughts on it!


First off, Whats in the box? You get the polisher, a loop handle and a 5 inch backing plate.


Now lets be honest here, the rotary polisher is certainly not a new tool and as far as the action.....it spins......simply put.


When you grab this tool, the first thing you notice is the 30 foot cord.......Ugghhh not my thing. I know some guys like the long cords. I personally do not and wish there was an option for different sizes like some other brand polishers offer. But not a deal breaker by any means.


Now the tool itself is extremely light. I mean like 3/4 of a pound(give or take) lighter than the Flex 14-2.


I prefer a stick handle which unfortunately did not come in the package. Thankfully I have the Rupes one it is on it's way. So I attached the loop handle to give it a try. This isn't a crappy loop handle. The handle has an amazing feel and is by far the nicest on the market. You can angle it to your preference and secure it with included bolts.


The ergonomics of this polisher are fantastic. Everything just flows and it is well thought out. If you prefer no stick handle or loop, the head of the polisher has a nice rubber coated area for you to hold on to. The speed control is great and you can feel the positive clicks as you adjust from speed to speed. There are the rubber bumpers that everyone likes from Rupes so you can set the polisher down while not in use.


The trigger on this rotary is simply amazing. It feels great when squeezing it. It has a rubber coated pad that allows you to grip with ease and provide anti slip operation. The progressive feature is awesome. You can feather this polisher down to about 20 RPM's if you really wanted to. To me that is such a huge benefit. When working is delicate areas or on edges, I like to really take it easy and this trigger allows for that. The trigger also allows you to keep the speed way low when spreading product or if you are just learning how to pick up a bead of product.


The RPM range is listed as 450-1700 with the trigger lock on. To me this is the perfect range for automotive detailing work. I would never go higher than that and the 450 is lower than most other polishers allowing you to jewel at that speed if you so desire.


Even tho this is a small polisher, it has plenty of power. I was using a 7.5 inch pad and had no issues with power or slowing....and I tried to slow it down.


When running at low speeds for extended periods of time, it is still very cool. Rupes nailed the air flow down really well I feel!


It is so compact and agile that it is great for precision work with smaller pads!


Operation is really smooth and unlike other polishers, there is no gear chatter. It is quiet altho I need to direct compare to other polishers like the Flex 14-2.




So as of right now I feel this is a fantastic rotary for detailing that I would recommend to both pros and beginners. It has quickly became my favorite. My only 2 complaint is the longer cord which I will most likely cut and I wish it included the stick handle.
 
Nice review. I totally agree with you on the polishers that come with their own long cord... The cords are flimsy and they really get in the way. I’d much rather they have a short cord and allow me to plug into a proper extension cord of my choosing that lays where it should without a bunch of kinks just waiting to get caught on everything in its path because of its light weight.

I prefer all things to have a short cord... My vacuum came with a really long cord but it never comes out if I can help it... I keep it wrapped up with a zip tie and always use an extension cord. Makes things much neater to put away too.

53b9cb60accbef3f45768fd034523bce.jpg
 
I’m the opposite, I wish my Metrovac had a decent sized cord. I think the current one is 4-5 feet and is way too short. I have no problem with a short polisher cord though, my detailing cart has outlets so the long cord would get very much in the way. It should be an option. None of the other Rupes has a crazy long cord.
 
I’m the opposite, I wish my Metrovac had a decent sized cord. I think the current one is 4-5 feet and is way too short. I have no problem with a short polisher cord though, my detailing cart has outlets so the long cord would get very much in the way. It should be an option. None of the other Rupes has a crazy long cord.
We’re all different and like what we like for our own reasons. There is no right or wrong. Just personal preference. I would like to see the option for a long or short cord to suit the individual purchaser.
 
Jim, You mentioned that you thought it was great using the Rupes LH19E Rotary with very small diameter pads. Do you own a Flex PE-8? If you do own one, do you think you'll still switch to it for 1", 2", 3" pad work or stick with the Rupes LH19E?
 
Jim, You mentioned that you thought it was great using the Rupes LH19E Rotary with very small diameter pads. Do you own a Flex PE-8? If you do own one, do you think you'll still switch to it for 1", 2", 3" pad work or stick with the Rupes LH19E?


Yes I do own a PE8. It’s a great tool but I don’t like the fact that it has an on/off switch rather than a trigger. You can definitely use the LH19E with smaller pads. There are better options like the Nano or I have air operated polishers that are very tiny.

Can this replace a PE 8???? I will say a good portion of the time you can use this over the PE 8 if you needed to. Hope that helps.
 
That trigger is exactly what I was thinking about. I so wish the PE-8 had a trigger. I have Proxxon mini rotary polisher with 1 and 2" extension bars that I use for very tight work with 1" and 2" pads.

If you have a moment and if you're good at uploading pictures (I know I'm not) could you please post a picture of the PE-8 next to the Rupe's LH19E. I just want to judge its bulkiness to something I'm familiar with.

Thanks.
 
That trigger is exactly what I was thinking about. I so wish the PE-8 had a trigger. I have Proxxon mini rotary polisher with 1 and 2" extension bars that I use for very tight work with 1" and 2" pads.

If you have a moment and if you're good at uploading pictures (I know I'm not) could you please post a picture of the PE-8 next to the Rupe's LH19E. I just want to judge its bulkiness to something I'm familiar with.

Thanks.


I’ll try to get a photo for you later. I’m always on my phone and can never get the pics to work tho. The LH19E is definitely longer than the PE8 if that matters to you.
 
ba74d44e738b2abf5fddbff683916d94.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
There is a pic next to a PC for referemce. My PE8 is MIA currently.
 
So.................the question is..............................when will this be in stock, ready to ship?
 
So.................the question is..............................when will this be in stock, ready to ship?


Should be soon. Other places have it already.
 
Update:

I have put this machine thru the paces and have logged some serious hours on it. At this point I feel there are zero reliability issues with this machine. I just keeps going and going.

Both the stick handle(which I don’t see for sale anywhere yet) (got mine direct from Rupes) and the included D handle are extremely nice and really keep the fatigue factor a nonissue after hours of constant polishing. I personally would like to see the palm rest of the machine just a little bit bigger or fatter. I have large hands and it is a bit small for me but still comfortable to use should you not opt for the stick or loop handles. But this is just like their other polishers so I’m sure they chose the specific ergonomics for a reason.

This machine has plenty of power. I have compounded with 7.5 inch wool and had zero issues. On the flip side, I have used 2 inch pads and had precise control.

The ultra light weight is really nice. We often see people trying or demonstrating polishers on a hood. The reality is most buffing is done on side panels where you have to support 100% of the weight of the polisher and this is where light weight really shines especially by the time you hit the last panel.

The trigger is just simply amazing and my favorite feature. It is comfortable to use for extended periods without the trigger lock on. It allows ultra precise speed control below the 450RPM range.

I am very happy with this machine.

I often get asked which machine is better, this or the Flex PE14. Honestly both are awesome machines and there is absolutely no wrong answer there. I will say that the trigger is superior on the Rupes.

Thanks for reading.
 
"Both the stick handle(which I don’t see for sale anywhere yet) (got mine direct from Rupes)"

I've been trying to get one from Rupes, but they keep telling me I have to go through a distributor.
 
Update:

I have put this machine thru the paces and have logged some serious hours on it. At this point I feel there are zero reliability issues with this machine. I just keeps going and going.

Both the stick handle(which I don’t see for sale anywhere yet) (got mine direct from Rupes) and the included D handle are extremely nice and really keep the fatigue factor a nonissue after hours of constant polishing. I personally would like to see the palm rest of the machine just a little bit bigger or fatter. I have large hands and it is a bit small for me but still comfortable to use should you not opt for the stick or loop handles. But this is just like their other polishers so I’m sure they chose the specific ergonomics for a reason.

This machine has plenty of power. I have compounded with 7.5 inch wool and had zero issues. On the flip side, I have used 2 inch pads and had precise control.

The ultra light weight is really nice. We often see people trying or demonstrating polishers on a hood. The reality is most buffing is done on side panels where you have to support 100% of the weight of the polisher and this is where light weight really shines especially by the time you hit the last panel.

The trigger is just simply amazing and my favorite feature. It is comfortable to use for extended periods without the trigger lock on. It allows ultra precise speed control below the 450RPM range.

I am very happy with this machine.

I often get asked which machine is better, this or the Flex PE14. Honestly both are awesome machines and there is absolutely no wrong answer there. I will say that the trigger is superior on the Rupes.

Thanks for reading.

What backing plate are you using for the 2 inch pads? CarPro is now selling the Rupes wool pads in 3 inch and 2 inch sizes. I guess AG will catch up soon.
 
At this point this is my “Go To” Rotary. I find myself reaching for this over the Flex. The trigger is so well thought out both in ergonomics and functionality.

Handles both the heavy cutting and the ultra finishing steps really well.
 
At this point this is my “Go To” Rotary. I find myself reaching for this over the Flex. The trigger is so well thought out both in ergonomics and functionality.

Handles both the heavy cutting and the ultra finishing steps really well.

Nice to hear that the rotary works great for you.

How do you think this trigger will work on the mkIII longthrows?

I'm torn between the rotary polisher and a mkIII longthrow polisher. The problem I have is physically and is sensitive to both vibrations and how much it's wearing the muscles. Less vibrations goes to the rotary and the less wear on muscles I think goes to the longthrows.
How is it with polishing with the Rupes rotary on the muscle wearing in your opinion vs a longthrow polisher?

Have used the Rupes rotary pads yet?

/ Tony
 
Back
Top