If you could only have one machine polisher, what would it be?

G

goin2drt

New member
Guys,

I am in need of upgrading my polisher. I have an old model Griot's that is ten or so years old. If you could have only one polisher and you consider the best value for the spend, what would it be and what size?

Thanks for the help.
 
I'll add to that question? I have a Rupes 15 and a Flex Rotary. Is there any aspect of the Flex 3401 that makes it a compelling buy if I own the Rupes? Hypothetically the reverse - if I owned the 3401 is there a compelling reason to also own a Rupes?


Asked by a true tool whore (me) , but regardless I think it's a fair question?
 
Dear Ccrew

Forum member Bunky owns both (or did) and knows their ins and outs.

Kevin Brown is a polisher guru.

Michael Linane (mjlinane) has lot of experience with both.

I have no idea. Both are great, but I believe Mike Phillips might use a 3401 more often than the others.

The only polisher I've ever used is a Griot's 2nd-generation DA. I'm going to use it tomorrow to polish our van. It's loud and doesn't hold itself up on vertical panels. It doesn't work quickly enough to suit me, but I guess that has more to do with its clumsy and inexperienced operator.
 
If *I* could only have one polisher I'd probably get a Rupes, though I've never used one.

But then I don't do serious correction any more either (well, I don't expect to....). As it is, I could live with just my GG or my Flex 3401, though I wouldn't want to limit myself that way.

What the "one best" will be will be awfully subjective...different subjects will have different needs IMO.

Imo it's almost like asking "what if you could only have one wrench/hammer/etc." Or "...only have one vehicle" ;)
 
I couldn't only have one polisher, because we need something small to get into tight spaces... that one polisher for me has been the PC7424 with 6" and 3" backing plates.

Now that I've used the Rupes 21, I can't go back to just the PC. I would choose the Rupes 15 if I could only have one, but I currently have the Rupes 75E on order as my 3" polisher to compliment the 21. The PC will be delegated to finish polish or wax duty.
 
I have owned and used a FLEX 3401 for years until I bought a RUPES LHR75 and LHR21. I couldn't imagine doing a proper detail without the 4 inch RUPES in my bag. In fact, if I had to only have one buffer for the rest of my life, it would be the RUPES LHR75 with the 4 inch pads. Granted, I would have to work more slowly but it's just so nice to have a small buffer that can actually correct vs. something like the GG 3 incher which really just makes noise and doesn't accomplish much.

FWIW,
Patrick
 
In fact, if I had to only have one buffer for the rest of my life, it would be the RUPES LHR15 with the 4 inch pads

So your running an LHR15 with the Rupes 4" pads?
 
I have a Rupes 21, a Rupes LHR-75e, and an old PC7424 that I was using with a 3" BP until I got the 75e. My 7424 is now just for backup or LSP application. One I used a Rupes machine, the PC felt like a jackhammer, so I HAD to pull the trigger on the 75e! I'd still like a Flex 3401 and PE-8....but that's just because I like toys, but clearly don't need them.
 
+1 with Wendell Jarvis ---

Makita 9227C --

Once you learn how to use it, it can really do anything; can go from 8" backing plates to 3" backing plates, soft-start, nice 600rpm lowest speed, variable speed control, well balanced,
if used daily, will give your upper body a great work out and you will have big, strong arms and shoulders; absolutely kills anything that is on your paintwork that does not belong there, can leave you a perfect, swirl-free, perfectly clear, flat finish..

Airplane and Boat Detailers use this tool and can routinely kill rotaries because of the very hard paintwork or gelcoat they use them on..
If there was anything ever better than this tool, they would use it, but they dont because there is nothing better..

Dan F
 
ShawnF350 said:
In fact, if I had to only have one buffer for the rest of my life, it would be the RUPES LHR15 with the 4 inch pads

So your running an LHR15 with the Rupes 4" pads?
Click to expand...

My apologies. I mis spoke. I have the LHR75 with the 4 inch pads. Original post edited.

- Patrick
 
Now that I have tried the LHR75e 4" I have to agree, if I could only have one, that would be it. A bit slower on big panels but corrects well and gets all the smaller areas well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
KBsToy said:
Where can I get Good backing plates . The review I saw for a package was not very good said they where plastic.
Click to expand...

The only Backing Plates for the Flex 3401VRG are made by Flex.

They make several sizes now, so the machine can get into more places.

I bought one years ago when they first came out, and they only had the 6" backing plate.

Later, Flex made a 5" backing plate, and then they made an adapter that allowed their smaller backing plates..

If If didnt love my Makita 9227C, I would be using the Flex 3401VRG for the pad rotation..

I know, there are newer machines out here, and everyone has an opinion on what works best, but you have to decide for Your Needs, Your Process, Your Business Plan, what is Best for you..

The Flex 3401VRG has been around almost 10 years I believe and lots of people have them and I never see anyone complaining about them..

Good Luck with your research !
Dan F
 
For a while there the Flex3401 was having QC/durability issues, but it sounds like those days are gone. Never had any problems with mine, but then I did the "lube/inspect/adjust" stuff and I don't lean on it hard enough to grind the backing plate against the housing (at least not very much and never at an acute angle).
 
I have a small collection of rotaries and DA's including the Flex 3401.

My favorite is the Rupes 21 with a 5" backing plate & 5-5 1/2" pads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top