Need help making a decision

C

Craig_K

New member
After a year of detailing for money (part time), I already see the need to upgrade from my GG6. Even doing AIO polishes, I find my hands cramp up for days after from the excess vibration. I am thinking about either the Rupes 21 or 15 Mark 2, or the Flex 3401. A good friend of mine who is also the local pro swears by the forced rotation of the Flex. However all the hype about the Rupes machines has me intrigued. I am looking for something that will have drastically lower levels of vibration, and will correct much faster. The only thing that concerns me about the Rupes 21 is the large throw might be troublesome in the tighter spaces and on curved panels, both of which modern vehicles have no shortage of! Thank you for any input!
 
If you have a hard time with the vibrations of the GG6 then I would advise against the 3401...although other than that I would highly recommend the FLEX. I have not tried the Rupes just to be fair.
 
Thanks for the reply dcjredline. I tried a 3401 and I found the levels of vibration were much lower than my GG6, however I have not tried any of the Rupes machines. From what I read there is no comparison to Rupes when it comes to smooth operation.
 
And there is no comparison to Rotary Power when it comes to the smoothest operation.. :)

They just sold a "brand new used one" here for what - $130.00 + free shipping ?
Dan F
 
I not used a Rupes mark II but have used and own Flex 3401 a workhorse that must be man handed,
Own Rupes 21mm with 5" backing plate, smooth as glass no vibration. Rupes pads : )
Own Griots 22mm with 5 " backing plate, much more power than my Rupes and better grips with rubber padding. Works great workhorse that is smooth. They have great compounds/pad combo. Kills it!
Own Flex PE8 for tight spots but that just me... not for all but I am pleased.
 
Rupes machines are much smoother than the Flex 3401 IMO as others have also stated. I also agree that when you want smooth, you can't beat a rotary. In terms of what I personally believe is better for one steps though, rupes hands down is the winner. I think what I like most though is how the large throw DAs don't require much pressure to get them to correct, while the 3401 requires some muscle to really engage the pad with the paint for maximum correction.

I may be a little biased since I used a rupes for months before touching a 3401, but I did NOT like the 3401 at all after using a rupes for awhile
 
I have a bad back and couldnt really take the vibration of the 3401, then wound up with a rotary on an open boxx deal. I never used the 3401 again since getting the rotary and now two Rupes. Both are so smooth and so much more enjoyable to use. I can polish all day without feeling like i got in a wreck.
 
If you're only detailing 1 car a week, then I say go for the FLEX. It will save you a lot of time with the forced rotation and it's not "buzzy" like the GG6. If you have limiting health conditions or plan on detailing more than 1 car a week, I'd go with a RUPES or Griots Boss. Last year I had carpal tunnel pretty bad on my right wrist and was still able to use a FLEX without any problems.

I polished 3 or 4 cars in the same week with a FLEX (full paint corrections) and my shoulders were a little sore that weekend.
 
I was in your exact situation not too long ago. Had been using the GG6 for about 1.5 years and thought it was time to step up. Went with the 3401. Significantly better but I still wanted smoother so I sold it and went with the G21(the Mark II Rupes had not even been announced at this time) and I am extremely pleased with it. It is sooooo smooth. Nothing ever is sore after detailing anymore. I'm sure you'd have the same result with the Rupes.

Flex is a great machine but it didn't quite work for me.

I use the smaller backing plate on the G21 and then I use a 3 inch BP on my GG6 now and there's rarely a panel I have trouble with. I'll be getting the Rupes iBrid in March to address all those other spots :D
 
After using my GG6 (with 5.5" pads) for 4 years I moved to a Boss G15. It has cut my polishing time almost in half and it's extremely smooth--especially with the B&S Low Pro pads and the rubber grip areas really isolate you from the polisher. With the smaller orbit (vs 21mm) I'm able to take care of those troublesome curves and get in close to protruding objects as well as with the GG6. So the GG6 is now equipped with a 3.5" backing plate permanently to handle those few areas like bumpers and pillars that are just too small for the G15.
 
Craig_K said:
After a year of detailing for money (part time), I already see the need to upgrade from my GG6. Even doing AIO polishes, I find my hands cramp up for days after from the excess vibration. I am thinking about either the Rupes 21 or 15 Mark 2, or the Flex 3401. A good friend of mine who is also the local pro swears by the forced rotation of the Flex. However all the hype about the Rupes machines has me intrigued. I am looking for something that will have drastically lower levels of vibration, and will correct much faster. The only thing that concerns me about the Rupes 21 is the large throw might be troublesome in the tighter spaces and on curved panels, both of which modern vehicles have no shortage of! Thank you for any input!
Click to expand...


The new Mark II has enough power that I'd be surprised if anyone has issues stalling like some users did with the original Rupes 21/15. It has a lot less vibration then the Flex and IME corrects and finishes better. I was running my new Mark II on speed 3 last weekend on a new STi and didn't have any issues with rotation.
 
I've only used a rupes duetto. that's the first real polisher I ever purchased. My friend recently got a Porter cable polisher and I used it a few days ago and WOW its like a wild mustang compared to the rupes vibration wise.

I've never used a Flex or Griots but you might want to check out those ebay deals and see if there are still any good polishers left.
 
RaskyR1 said:
The new Mark II has enough power that I'd be surprised if anyone has issues stalling like some users did with the original Rupes 21/15. It has a lot less vibration then the Flex and IME corrects and finishes better. I was running my new Mark II on speed 3 last weekend on a new STi and didn't have any issues with rotation.
Click to expand...

any mark II and g21 video comparison coming up?
 
donbeezy said:
any mark II and g21 video comparison coming up?
Click to expand...

Probably not anytime soon, but I can give you my $.02.

While the Mark II has more power and is a very, very nice tool, there are many features on the G21 that I still prefer over the new Rupes Mark II. The slow start on the Rupes REALLY drove me nuts after using the BOSS tools the last year, but that's a user preference as are most the features I like better about the BOSS. (Better ergonomics, instant on, variable speed trigger, quick access brushes, and the nice double shot rubber grips)

I also wish Rupes had ditched the cheap faux carbon plastic head piece that breaks so easily and IMO the speed dial still moves way to easily. That being said, the new speed control is awesome as is very linear and you can detect a change in speed as you move it.

At the end of the day they're all excellent tools and there is no bad choice. The Mark II has likely found a place in my arsenal now and I look forward to getting the Nano when they become available. :)
 
Buy the new Rupes15 mk2.
Where you located Craig? You can try anything I have.
I have a Rupes 15/21/mini
Flex 3401 and Makita 9237 Rotary
I'm in South Jersey.
I like the Rupes machines so much, I was trying to trade the 15/21 + flex for just the 2 new Mach 2s.
Nobody had interest. So I'm just keeping everything.
 
Thanks for the offer ShawnF350, but that's a bit of a drive for me, I live in New Brunswick Canada lol. The only options to test locally are all rotary or 3401. Lots of great input, the more I think about it the more I think the low vibration levels of the Rupes or G21/15 might be worth it over the flex. Even if that means slightly slower correction speeds.
 
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