Rupes 21 or Flex 3401..Which would you really want?

S

ShawnF350

New member
If you had a chance to get a Rupes 21 and already own a Flex 3401 what would you do?
One will have to go , I dont' want both.
Some help?

Decisions,Decisions


I did sell my Griot's machines last week. Now own the Rupes 15, Rupes 75E, and Flex 3401.
 
I went with the 3401. In the words of Renny Doyle- The Flex is more of a swiss army knife. It can do everything pretty well. The Rupes is a more of a surgeons scalpel.
 
Vega@Autopia said:
Don't forget about Lake Country HD Orbital Pads, those work great on the LHR 21ES.
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I have both the LC HD Orbital Pads and the new thin disc from Meguiars. Both seem to be a match made in heaven for the LHR 21. They both stand up to the long stroke of the 21 without getting shredded.
 
While it doesn't bother me, some people *really* dislike the "recoil" of the Flex 3401. And sometimes it doesn't give *quite* the final finish I want compared to my other polishers (just sometimes, but it does happen).

Can you change backing plates on the Rupes to use different size pads? That can be a bit of a limiting factor with the Flex 3401.

I'm not slamming the Flex 3401, I'm glad I have it. But I dunno about choosing it over the Rupes 21 (which I've never tried).
 
How about ditching the 15?

Then buying the 21 and use 7in pads.

Then buy the 4.375in backing plate for the Flex and use 5.5in pads.

Maybe? I dont know...
 
Hands down the Flex. Like Accumulator mentioned already, jewling is the only reason Id switch and in that case you have the 15 to handle that...
 
If you didn't already have the Rupes 15 I would say Rupes 21 all the way...tough call really but I think if you like the Flex now you would miss it.

That being said, I sold my Flex 3401 as it just wasn't for my and I like the Rupes 21 way better.
 
Different strokes for different folks, said a great man. I've got the 21 and one day hope to have the 15 and just purchased the Mini. With the 3 I believe I could do just about anything. I just like the smoothness of Rupes. It's good for us old guys.
 
The flex can get away from you and demands more of you physically. The Rupes is easier on the body, but works best within its own ecosystem and frankly requires more skill in my opinion.
 
rlmccarty2000 said:
Different strokes for different folks, said a great man. I've got the 21 and one day hope to have the 15 and just purchased the Mini. With the 3 I believe I could do just about anything. I just like the smoothness of Rupes. It's good for us old guys.
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If I find myself reaching for the 15 and not wanting to use the flex , I may at least buy the 21 to see if it's a keeper for me.
I may also get the pe8, but I'm not rotary experienced and it starts at 1300rpm. (Sounds high)
And I agree with the old guys statement. My wrist likes to tell me when it's had enough. I'm looking for a comfortable machine that gets the job done. But if on side panels the 21 lacks, I'll need to keep that 3401. Plus the 3401 is as close as I'll get to having a rotary.
 
ShawnF350 said:
If I find myself reaching for the 15 and not wanting to use the flex , I may at least buy the 21 to see if it's a keeper for me.
I may also get the pe8, but I'm not rotary experienced and it starts at 1300rpm. (Sounds high)
And I agree with the old guys statement. My wrist likes to tell me when it's had enough. I'm looking for a comfortable machine that gets the job done. But if on side panels the 21 lacks, I'll need to keep that 3401. Plus the 3401 is as close as I'll get to having a rotary.
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Every car I've done over the last 2.5 years has been done with either the Rupes 21 or the 15 and probably 90% of them were with the 21. Once you learn how to use/adjust the tool the only areas you should need a different polisher is for the tight 2-4 inch work (pillars, bumper covers, vents).
 
RaskyR1 said:
Every car I've done over the last 2.5 years has been done with either the Rupes 21 or the 15 and probably 90% of them were with the 21. Once you learn how to use/adjust the tool the only areas you should need a different polisher is for the tight 2-4 inch work (pillars, bumper covers, vents).
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Since you do some high end cars, you should get the PE8 if you haven't already.
 
Rsurfer said:
Since you do some high end cars, you should get the PE8 if you haven't already.
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I already have the PE14. I wouldn't buy the PE8 simply because it has a rocker switch and not a traditional rotary variable speed trigger. Great tool I'm sure, but I simply can't understand why they went the route they did. For delicate and intricate work I feel it's a must. ;)
 
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