Rupes Mille

[Reuben Brumby]

What is the best way or circumstances to use a mille.

I'm building my arsenal and Im considering adding a Rupes mille.
I recently got to use one and I like how it cuts fast and doesn't stall.

My stall happy G9 was very frustrating to use on hard Volkswagen paint.

I want to know the best way to use it for 1 steps, and how to use it as a finishing tool for finishing in multi stage corrections.

I'm also considering a Rupes mark 3. I'm just concerned about stalling.


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[Coatingsarecrack]

I have know experience with either but the Mille is a direct drive where the machine powers the orbit and the spinning. The mark 3 will still stall although will be a lot less with proper technique.

Been thinking about direct drive and from research on here and AG forum most seem to prefer the flex. Nice thing about them too is if AG has a tool sale you can use on a flex but not a Rupes. I’m sure the Mille is a good machine though, probably personal preference.


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[Dan Tran]

What is the best way or circumstances to use a mille.

I'm building my arsenal and Im considering adding a Rupes mille.
I recently got to use one and I like how it cuts fast and doesn't stall.

My stall happy G9 was very frustrating to use on hard Volkswagen paint.

I want to know the best way to use it for 1 steps, and how to use it as a finishing tool for finishing in multi stage corrections.

I'm also considering a Rupes mark 3. I'm just concerned about stalling.


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I have both the LHR15 MK III and Mille.

The Mille + RUPES Mille Yellow Pad is a great start for a One Step/AIO. With the newly released UNO Protect, I am certain you find yourself impressed with the results. It didn’t me long to fall in love with the Mille. On a Porsche door panel, with even minor curves, the Mille doesn’t mess around. It powered through the job with way less effort than the LHR15.

The same Porsche the LHR15 did fine otherwise.

With both machines, I own both RUPES Coarse and Medium Wool Pads. Additionally, I have all the corresponding blue and yellow foam pads from RUPES as well.

In terms of liquids, I have Zephir and Keramik and absolutely adore them. While there are so many chemicals out now, I always fall back to these. They finish remarkably. Used it during a multi-step correction many times with no regrets.

The Mille is excellent at cleaning up edges while the LHR15 was capable of doing most of the heavy lifting. Personally, the LHR15 is a nice additional, but has a learning curve. If I was to train someone how to polish, I would teach on the Mille first, you don’t have to think or adjust. It just goes.

The LHR15 requires more technique. But it doesn’t stall as much as most will lead you to believe. Just remember it is a free spinning tool. Of course it will stall. What I like about the stalling is when I am going up against a dangerously thin body line, it will stall. And it is actually a protection to make me think to take it easy around these areas. Paint is so thin on these areas that one time, a clay mitt took off paint in these areas. Brand new BMW ALSO. So I guess interpret this however you want. It was a one time thing. Lesson learned.

Anyway,

When my first LHR15 + Mini got stolen, I first replaced it with a Mille and Nano iBrid. Then I added the LHR15 and mini back into my life. But during the time in between. The Mille and nano performed all the tasks that I wanted done. The free spinning tools have its place. But it was truly not necessary.

Best wishes! Hopes this helps.




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[Dan Tran]

I have know experience with either but the Mille is a direct drive where the machine powers the orbit and the spinning. The mark 3 will still stall although will be a lot less with proper technique.

Been thinking about direct drive and from research on here and AG forum most seem to prefer the flex. Nice thing about them too is if AG has a tool sale you can use on a flex but not a Rupes. I’m sure the Mille is a good machine though, probably personal preference.


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Here is my take on this one. The Flex truly is a Beast. But the Mille is an excellent choice, especially how it feels so familiar if you already know what a Bigfoot feels like.

Coming from a Bigfoot background, I LOVE my Mille. I’ll never forget the first time I used one. It was a no brainer. If your going to get the Mille, you ATLEAST need to try a small bottle of the Mille chemicals designed for it. It’s a dream to work with.


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[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

What is the best way or circumstances to use a mille.

Anytime you want to do major correction work.

Anytime you want to avoid pad stalling when buffing cureved panels or buffing next to edges and raised body lines.


I'd recommend the 150mm or in U.S. terms, the 6" backing plate and then use the matching Mille pads and chemicals. The tool comes with both backing plates, my personal observation and the observations I've made of the people that take my detailing classes is the larger backing plate and pads are smoother to buff with.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

More...


When you took my Wax Shoppe Roadshow Class, did you test out the RUPES Mille?

Pictures and Comments- Roadshow Class at The Wax Shop


I brought them....

As well as the BEAST and the CBEAST.


The Wax Shoppe class was a one-day class instead of my normal 2-day roadshow classes, so less time to spend on all the tools I brought, (which was a lot).

 

[Reuben Brumby]

More...


When you took my Wax Shoppe Roadshow Class, did you test out the RUPES Mille?

Pictures and Comments- Roadshow Class at The Wax Shop


I brought them....

As well as the BEAST and the CBEAST.


The Wax Shoppe class was a one-day class instead of my normal 2-day roadshow classes, so less time to spend on all the tools I brought, (which was a lot).

Yes I did. I liked it more than the Beast. I just didn't spend the time on that one as it was my was first time using polishers. I was trying to get my hands on as many as I could that day!

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[sudsmobile]

Anytime you want to do major correction work.

Anytime you want to avoid pad stalling when buffing cureved panels or buffing next to edges and raised body lines.


I'd recommend the 150mm or in U.S. terms, the 6" backing plate and then use the matching Mille pads and chemicals. The tool comes with both backing plates, my personal observation and the observations I've made of the people that take my detailing classes is the larger backing plate and pads are smoother to buff with.

It seems counterintuitive that a bigger pad would be smoother. What's the explanation for that?

 

[MarkD51]

I've kicked around such for a while, of upping and refining my game, hopefully selling off a couple other tools I have, and buying the Rupes Mille.

I like many features of the Mille, and think they'd be a good personal fit for myself. Clockwise Rotation, comes equipped stock with a 29' Cord, and comes with two Backing Plates, 5" and 6". Since I have tons of 5.5" Pads, the Rupes seems like the way to go. Shorter throw than the Flex 3401, but the Mille is also said to be a little smoother, and quieter, and less prone to heat at the Head of the Tool.

Whether the Mille is as durable as the Flex, that might be debatable? I myself am not hard on Tools, I'm not a professional Detailer that such a machine would be getting hard workouts on a daily basis.

A couple questions that I have, and it is in regards to the Mille's attachment and coupling of the Backing Plate? Firstly, it appears that the Backing Plate on the Mille does not possess Gear Teeth like the 3401, is this correct?

Secondly, I believe I remember mention (by Mike Phillips) when he showcased the Flex 3401VRG in a video, that there is a Felt Ring on the 3401's Shroud that needs periodic Lubrication with a grease, correct? Is this also true of the Mille? I'm guessing no.

Is the Backing Plate of the Mille in constant contact with the Shroud like the Flex 3401? Or is there space?
TIA

 

[TTQ B4U]

My suggestion is to also look at the Flex 3401. I'll outline more later when I have time but I've also left some reviews over under the Rupes Forum Section. Long story short, the Flex has proven itself more of a "beast" in terms of reliability thus if you're going to use it a lot, I'd go Flex. I love my Mille as it's smooth for sure but I have had a couple issues with it and I question it's long term reliability.

 

[PEAD19]

My suggestion is to also look at the Flex 3401. I'll outline more later when I have time but I've also left some reviews over under the Rupes Forum Section. Long story short, the Flex has proven itself more of a "beast" in terms of reliability thus if you're going to use it a lot, I'd go Flex. I love my Mille as it's smooth for sure but I have had a couple issues with it and I question it's long term reliability.

Thanks for the info, and looking forward to hear more when you have time. I am close to buying the new upgraded 3401 supa beast.

 

[MarkD51]

Well, who could pass up a great sale today with 25% off and free shipping over $100.

So, I just ordered fifteen 5.5" Rupes Mille Foam Polishing Pads.

So, as Doctor Emmet L. Brown in "Back to the Future" once said, "Do you know what this means?!"

Yep, it means I am going to buy a Rupes Mille Polisher! (Hey, you only go round once!)

I don't need the Mille Polisher right this minute, but I'll buy all piecemeal eventually and go with a complete Rupes System.

Of course I'll also try all the Rupes Mille Polishes specified for this Tool and Pads.

 

[fightnews]

What is the best way or circumstances to use a mille.

I'm building my arsenal and Im considering adding a Rupes mille.
I recently got to use one and I like how it cuts fast and doesn't stall.

My stall happy G9 was very frustrating to use on hard Volkswagen paint.

I want to know the best way to use it for 1 steps, and how to use it as a finishing tool for finishing in multi stage corrections.

I'm also considering a Rupes mark 3. I'm just concerned about stalling.


Sent from my SM-N950U using Autogeekonline mobile app

The mark 3 doesn't stall at all compared to any other long throw. It's quite impressive to me. I haven't used the mille but I use a flex and it is indispensable. The flex and the mark 3 are the dream team. The flex has a learning curve and its easier to get used to if you use the 5.5 hybrid pads.

The millie polishes are worth mentioning they are also impressive. I use them on the flex. They're made for forced rotation. They don't work as well on the long throw.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I'm not a fan of these shorter stroke gear driven polishers. While they vibrate less than a Flex 3401, they will jerk you around worse. Strange, I know, but this is my opinion. Mark III 15 all day long. Learn the correct technique and it won't stall(within reason). With a long throw, you DO need at least a mini 3" polisher. An iBrid style polisher if you're really looking to fine tune. With a gear driven, sometime you only need that tool, but it's best to have a 3" mini as well.

 

[MarkD51]

I'm not a fan of these shorter stroke gear driven polishers. While they vibrate less than a Flex 3401, they will jerk you around worse. Strange, I know, but this is my opinion. Mark III 15 all day long. Learn the correct technique and it won't stall(within reason). With a long throw, you DO need at least a mini 3" polisher. An iBrid style polisher if you're really looking to fine tune. With a gear driven, sometime you only need that tool, but it's best to have a 3" mini as well.

Not sure how that could be with slightly smaller orbital stroke of the Rupes Mille? That they'll jerk you around more?

Is it because "possibly" the Mille trades and compensates with higher rotation speeds for the smaller stroke? Just asking?

Wouldn't the long stroke Tools by Rupes and others, at 15mm and 21mm be even much worse in this regard?

Not saying that what you say isn't true, because after studying into the Rupes Mille System, they appear to acknowledge this, and have formulated specific Pads, Polishes and Comoounds to team with the Mille to make the machine easier to use, with smoother operation.

Have you experienced the Mille with their specific House Pads and Polishes?

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Not sure how that could be with slightly smaller orbital stroke of the Rupes Mille? That they'll jerk you around more?

Is it because "possibly" the Mille trades and compensates with higher rotation speeds for the smaller stroke? Just asking?

Wouldn't the long stroke Tools by Rupes and others, at 15mm and 21mm be even much worse in this regard?

Not saying that what you say isn't true, because after studying into the Rupes Mille System, they appear to acknowledge this, and have formulated specific Pads, Polishes and Comoounds to team with the Mille to make the machine easier to use, with smoother operation.

Have you experienced the Mille with their specific House Pads and Polishes?

Stroke size or speed has nothing to do with jerking you around. It's the gear driven action that dictates jerking around. Any free spinning DA will have less pull than any gear driven polisher. I bought the Mille, their pads, polishes and ended up selling it. Didn't like it. If I had to go gear driven, I like the Flex 3401 better, which I still have. The Super Beast looks even better. At the end of the day, the Rupes 15 or 21 is definitely smoother and more controllable than the Mille or any gear driven DA.

 

[MarkD51]

Stroke size or speed has nothing to do with jerking you around. It's the gear driven action that dictates jerking around. Any free spinning DA will have less pull than any gear driven polisher. I bought the Mille, their pads, polishes and ended up selling it. Didn't like it. If I had to go gear driven, I like the Flex 3401 better, which I still have. The Super Beast looks even better. At the end of the day, the Rupes 15 or 21 is definitely smoother and more controllable than the Mille or any gear driven DA.

I deeply thank you for your opinions and hands on experiences with the Rupes Mille.

I know absolutely nothing about the new Flex "Supa Beast", but I have just canceled the order for the Mille Pads. Appears I have succeeded, the Pads had not yet shipped.

I concluded after your input that I may have made a decision in haste, and wish to learn some more about the new Flex tool before committing to another Polisher, especially in this price range.

I'm sure as time passes, more info about the Supa Beast will become available, that I'll be able to make a more sound decision.

Thank you again for your time and comments, Happy New Year to you!

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I deeply thank you for your opinions and hands on experiences with the Rupes Mille.

I know absolutely nothing about the new Flex "Supa Beast", but I have just canceled the order for the Mille Pads. Appears I have succeeded, the Pads had not yet shipped.

I concluded after your input that I may have made a decision in haste, and wish to learn some more about the new Flex tool before committing to another Polisher, especially in this price range.

I'm sure as time passes, more info about the Supa Beast will become available, that I'll be able to make a more sound decision.

Thank you again for your time and comments, Happy New Year to you!

You got it, Mark. I'm Mark as well. Gear driven polishers are fantastic because you NEVER have to worry about pad stall. However, the polishing experience is not nearly as enjoyable as a free spinning DA. Remember, this is my opinion, but there's many others that will agree with me as well, and some that won't. The best option would be to have a long throw and gear driven DA. However, when spending that kind of money, make 100% sure in your choice. You may go back and decide to purchase the Mille, but I'd suggest looking into the Super Beast as well. I don't know for sure, but I bet you Mike Phillips would take the Super Beast over the Mille. Happy New Year!

 

[fightnews]

I deeply thank you for your opinions and hands on experiences with the Rupes Mille.

I know absolutely nothing about the new Flex "Supa Beast", but I have just canceled the order for the Mille Pads. Appears I have succeeded, the Pads had not yet shipped.

I concluded after your input that I may have made a decision in haste, and wish to learn some more about the new Flex tool before committing to another Polisher, especially in this price range.

I'm sure as time passes, more info about the Supa Beast will become available, that I'll be able to make a more sound decision.

Thank you again for your time and comments, Happy New Year to you!

The milli pads are super thin especially compared to the flex hybrid pads. I don't like them at all buy also have not used them on the millie

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I'm not a fan of these shorter stroke gear driven polishers. While they vibrate less than a Flex 3401, they will jerk you around worse.

I'm vindicated. NOTE: I made the letter "S" in the word polishers in Mark's above sentence BOLD. I don't want anyone to think I'm picking on a brand, I'm just talking about my experience with a "type" of tool and the type is the two brands of 5mm gear-driven orbitals on the market because I've experienced this characteristic with both brands.

I've posted this numerous times on this forum and not to downplay the Mille or the Makita PO5000C, which we no longer sell due to low demand, (same orbit stroke length so same action), but to let people know one of the characteristics of this style of tool.

On a flat surface, all tools are smooth, (in context of "tools"), but when using a 5mm gear-driven orbital and moving the face of the pad held flat to the surface of a given plane, to a curved panel, (transisitionin the face of the pad from one plane to a new and different angled plane, the tool will exhibit a jerking or hopping reaction. This happens with the FLEX 3401 too by the way it's just not as noticeable once you're experienced with the BEAST.


Just to discuss, let me start with documenting some history.


I posted my review for the Mille on 12-22-2017, 12:16 PM, which is shorty after it was introduced at the normal place most new tools are introduced and that's SEMA, which always takes place the FIRST week of November. So generally speaking, I posted my review 5 weeks after the tool was introduced in 2017.

To this date, I'm pretty sure it's the most picture-intensive review to date. Maybe someone can find a more documented picture and text review somewhere else?

Review: RUPES BIGFOOT MILLE LK 900E by Mike Phillips


The RUPES BIGFOOT MILLE LK 900E Gear-Driven Orbital Polisher

Fast-forward 5 months and I held a free detailing class and is my norm, I let everyone use whatever they want to use.


Posted: 05-23-2018, 09:24 PM

700 HP Hennessy Vette and Jeep Cherokee - Waxed and Coated


Here's my friend and 3-day class alumni Edson, testing out the RUPES Mille on this old 2-door Chevy. He's using the 125mm backing plate with the 140mm pads, for us non-metric folks, that's a 5" backing plate with a 5.5" pad. He comments to me about the tool pulling him around as he's buffing on the front of the Vette.

So I stepped in to see what was taking place. I've taken the 3rd picture above and drawn some lines to help explain the area and the PLANES.

Planes = a defined section of paint where the surface is of the same level.

I'm buffed the section in the below picture. This section has 2 PLANES.

In this picture if drawn boxes around the two different PLANES.

When buffing in the driver's side middle of the front clip and moving the buffing pad over to the secondary plane, where the hood transitions to the panel around the headlight and the top portions of the fender, the pad will tend to pull or jerk the tool around as the face of the pad transitions from one PLANE to the other PLANE.

The above about as best as I can explain it with pictures and a keyboard.

And here's the important part - I'm not saying this is a negative thing, it's just a CHARACTERISTIC of a very short oribit stroke length gear-drive tool, no matter what the brand.

I'm so glad I have a history of saying and typing the same thing for the BEAST, that is when others on purpose or simply due to a lack of taking the time to properly express their thoughts via the written word talk negatively about how the FLEX 3401 aka the BEAST has a "WALKING EFFECT" - I've never typed about this as a negative aspect of the tool, simply a CHARACTERISTIC of a 8mm gear-driven tool.

The BIG PICTURE is this, if you spend enough time with any of these tools you become accustomed to their CHARACTERISTICS and adjust to them. You GAIN pure brute POWER and lose the pad stalling CHARACTERISTIC of free spinning tools.


Make sense?


No free lunch in this world - in other words, getting the zero pad stalling aspect or feature of a gear-driven tool, no matter the brand or the size of orbit stroke comes with a price and the price is it's obviously less smooth as a free spinning tool.

By the way, I'll be covering this topic in one of my classes at Mobile Tech Expo in a few weeks.




I have 8 classes at MTE This year, here's two of them...




9:00am to 9:50am

2: Short Stroke vs Long Stroke Orbital Polishers – Differences & Benefits

Some people say long stroke is the best. Some people say short stroke is the best. The reality is, there’s a time, place and best application for both long and short stroke polishers. In this class you learn the differences in both types and the benefits for both types plus finally figure out which type is best for you. If you’re just starting out – choosing the wrong tool wastes not only time, but money in the added costs of pads and products. Generally speaking, while there is something to be said that the more you spend the faster you can detail, there is also something to be said for a low cost tool that can get the job done and get the job done just as well and just as fast. Come to this class to find out.

10:00am to 10:50am

3: Free Spinning Orbital Polishers vs Gear-Driven Orbital Polishers – Differences & Benefits

In this class you will learn the MOST IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE between ANY free spinning polisher versus ANY gear-driven polisher. The difference equals time and time equals money. You will also learn which tool is better for finishing softer, finicky paints and which tool is best suited for doing the grunt work. PLUS, learn the 2 types of HUMAN ENERGY required to use a free spinning orbital polish while the gear driven only requires 1 type of HUMAN ENERGY. This difference is never considered or shared anywhere in the detailing world and it makes a HUGE difference on YOU as well as the overall time you invest into any paint correction work.

Complete list of classes here,


2020 Mobile Tech Expo Class Schedule for Education Day on Thursday in Orlando, Florida