Want a new polisher (DA)........What would you go with?

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General Lee

New member
My go to polisher for years has been my Cyclo. It is a work horse but looking for something else to add to the mix. With all the new DA`s out there (Flex, Rupes, etc) what seems to be best one out there these days? I want one that is capable of doing good paint correction.
 
General Lee said:
My go to polisher for years has been my Cyclo. It is a work horse but looking for something else to add to the mix. With all the new DA`s out there (Flex, Rupes, etc) what seems to be best one out there these days? I want one that is capable of doing good paint correction.
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Get ready for the discussion..............
 
Don`t opt for a cheap one. I`m lookin` at the new Flex XFE7-15 for the power (tops out at 9000 rpms)
Plus it`s a Flex engineered machine with a smaller body then some of the Longthrows, be easier to maneuver.

B)
 
General Lee- Fellow Cyclo user/lover here, had my older one for about 35 years now.

Noting that I have the Flex 3401 and Griot`s Garage 6", I`d get the Griot`s Boss15. I sincerely doubt it`ll last as long as a Cyclo...but then, I doubt that *anything* will and the GG has a good warranty.
 
Mary B said:
Don`t opt for a cheap one. I`m lookin` at the new Flex XFE7-15.. it`s a Flex engineered machine ...
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Hope Flex is building them better than my 3401. I *do* use/like/recommend it. It does significant correction in a timely manner. BUT I don`t consider it all that well designed/engineered/built. Eh, it`s OK, but that`s the most I`ll say for it. Maybe they`re better these days, maybe nobody`s having issues with them any more (and hey, I never had problems with mine..), maybe I`m just spoiled by the Cyclos (hey#2 I consider my PCs utter junk, would never buy a PC tool again period).

Yikes, reading over the above makes me :o But that`s what popped out when I saw "Flex engineered" so I`m gonna post it.
 
General Lee said:
I`m torn with the "long throw" models. Wondering how it affect small/tight areas.
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Hence my mentioning the GGBoss15 instead of the GGBoss21.

Good thinking, considering that "tight spot" issue...only gripe about the Cyclo is that it won`t accommodate certain spots on certain vehicles.

The GG6 is *very* good for a standard-throw, infinitely better IMO than a PC, but if you`re augmenting the Cyclo and buying *these* days...
 
Accumulator said:
Hope Flex is building them better than my 3401. I *do* use/like/recommend it. It does significant correction in a timely manner. BUT I don`t consider it all that well designed/engineered/built. Eh, it`s OK, but that`s the most I`ll say for it. Maybe they`re better these days, maybe nobody`s having issues with them any more (and hey, I never had problems with mine..), maybe I`m just spoiled by the Cyclos (hey#2 I consider my PCs utter junk, would never buy a PC tool again period).

Yikes, reading over the above makes me :o But that`s what popped out when I saw "Flex engineered" so I`m gonna post it.
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Looks like only one way to find out... I have the BOSS 15 (tops out at 5000 OPM) plus it`s like swinging a bat around when one handing it.

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With a 5" BP

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Mary B- That little Flex *does* have its appeal all right :D

That "swinging a bat around" reminds me of how some people find my Flex 3401 to be a beast with regard to user-friendliness....never thought so myself, though I can`t use it one-handed for anything remotely aggressive. Eh, I find the PC simply awful to use but many think it`s fine...ya just never really know until you get some stick-time.

I`ll be interested to hear how that little Flex works out for you. If I hadn`t received my Rupes Mini last Christmas I might be tempted myself, despite my generally..oh, that`s way too harsh...despite my *slightly* dim view of Flex stuff.

EDIT: almost forgot to mention that I can`t quite finish out to my satisfaction with the Flex, presumably due to the forced rotation. Sure not *bad* or anything, but it`s no Cyclo when it comes to getting that last whatever-%.
 
Rupes 3" is my favorite because it fits almost everywhere and I feel like I get better control. ibird for smaller spaces.

My Ruper 15 is just about new. Rarely use except on brothers range rover / and his wifes escalade.

My Flex DA is used exclusively for heavy cutting which I rarely do and headlight work.

I love my GG6" but its just old school compared to the more comfortable Rupes. My PCXP is my loan out tool for when friends want to borrow a buffer.

I am not a pro, just a guy who whats his cars looking awesome all the time. You cannot go wrong with the best and right now its Rupes. The Boss system has gotten the attention of some pros I just have not investigated bc I all set Polisher / buffer-wise.
 
Angus said:
+1. And don`t forget that budget needs to include a selection of pads as well. Give us a price range and we`ll help spend your $$$ for you :)
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Price isn`t "really" a concern of mine. As long as it`s quality and gets the job done. Cyclo`s aren`t cheap and I own one of those. So anything in that range I`ll be good with.
 
General Lee said:
Price isn`t "really" a concern of mine. As long as it`s quality and gets the job done. Cyclo`s aren`t cheap and I own one of those. So anything in that range I`ll be good with.
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Well in that case, as a Flex guy I`ll suggest this kit:

FLEX XFE7-15 Long Throw Uro-Tec Foam Pad Kit - Pick Your Pads

But you`ll need more pads so get at least 3 white and yellow Uro-tecs.

Or if you`d perfer to go the Rupes route, this is a very nice kit:

Rupes LHR21 MarkII Big Foot Random Orbital Polisher Deluxe Kit FREE SHIPPING

Again, you`ll need more pads than the 4 it comes with.

And then this kit from Griots is another option:

Griots Garage BOSS G21 Long Throw Orbital Polisher Deluxe Kit

At the end of the day, you`re not going to go wrong with any of the above.
 
The Rupes 15 would be my choice if I could only buy one. With Rupes building a factory in the USA you could even buy patriotic if that is your thing. I reach for my 15 over the 21 due to size, but it is nice to have them all!
 
I think it largly depends on the vehicle youll use it on. I have a 21mm machine and its terrible on my 14` jeep GC, my GG6 with a 3" gets most of the use. On my ram truck it proves itself, but I still think the GG6 spins better and offers better correction. Im not a pro though so .02.

I do know a few pros on facebook who pick up the cheapo harbor freight machine as their primary tool, similar to the gg6.
 
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