Rupes or Flex 3401?

jerber1

jerber1

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My next purchase is a new DA polisher. Something that is a "one stop shop polisher", meaning I will use it to cut, polish and whatever else needs to be taken off paint. Should I go with a Flex 3401 or The Rupes? I hear the Rupes System is pretty awesome.
 
Get the Flex 3401 VRG...PERIOD. It is the only Forced rotation DA on the market. It is more versatile than the Rupes. It corrects better than the Rupes, you can get 4 different size backing plates for the Flex to where you can get 4" Pads all the way up to 7.5". The Rupes is limited and does not have many backing plates options.

Additionally, if you do not have Rupes pads on a Rupes you will rip the pads frequently...ie Lake Country, Buff & Shine...etc.

The Rupes is still a free floating DA so you can stop the Pad or if you are polishing uneven panels it will stop.

Additionally, the Rupes cost more than the Flex.

All that I have said has probably angered the Rupes clan....so be it. I will ALWAYS think the Flex 3401 VRG is better than a Rupes.
 
This is almost like asking a surgeon to pick only one tool that they will use for every operation.

If you are doing this professionally you are going to want multiple polishers to cover any situation you might encounter. For personal use a PC (or similar DA) with a 3.5" and 5" backing plate will provide pretty much everything you need to maintain your daily driver(s). At the very least you will want something that can handle large and small pads to get into tight areas.

FWIW I own a Rupes 21, Flex 3401vrg, PC XP, HF DA, and 849x RB and use all of them frequently.

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I prefer Flex 3401 because of it's versatility. If you don't mind owning multiple machines, consider the Rupes 21ES and 75ES.
 
I have been using my flex for almost 3 years now with no complaints. with the exception of gelcoat on a boat, there is no other tool better or polishing cars in my opinion. For comparison I own a cyclo, 849x, flex3401 and previously Makita and Milwaukee. I still use the dewalt to compound gelcoat only because I have it. I could do it with the flex if I could only own one tool. I have used the porter cable and it is sufficient for light duty polishing of your own cars ect but if you can afford the flex that is what I would get again. The Flex 3401 is the Swiss army knife of polishers.
 
Now does direct drive also mean inducing swirls or holograms ?
 
I have the Dewalt 849, rupes 15 and 75e. I have a small backing plate for the Dewalt as well. I am looking to add more Rupes polishers. Oh, I also have a GG6".


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I have both the Flex and Rupes 21. Without a doubt the Flex is the one I need most. It corrects better and is more versatile. The Flex is the best and the Rupes is a nice toy to have.
 
If you search around for my posts I had the same question about a month ago. I really like the rupes system since its much easier to use then the flex. This meaning there is a bit more learning curve on the flex than the rupes. I ended up buying a used rupes 15 and a new flex 3401. At first I didnt like the flex at all since it was a real workout to use. But after Mike suggested trying the 5 inch backing plate I soon found myself liking the machine for. I like my rupes since it is so smooth but do run into the problem of it not spinning on curved panels. So my vote would be to save some money and buy the flex 3401 with all the accessories. Get the 5inch backing plate and the hybrid pads and you will love it.
 
I've owned both. The Rupes 21 is hands down, the more versatile machine once you master it.

I disagree that the Flex corrects better - if it does, then you are not using the right pads, products and technique with the Rupes 21.

The biggest advantages of the Rupes 21 are the large 21mm throw and it's ability to use MF pads.
 
Makita BO6040 is random orbital or forced rotation. Sounds like an interesting machine.
 
Anyone have a used rupes, 3401, or GG6 they'd like to sell me?!

I hear good things about both but everyone seems to favor flex
 
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