Video: Long Throw Polisher Sound Comparison

[Wing Commander]

When I tested it at Detail fest it was super smooth and I tried to put more downward force than would ever be used to work on paint and it still powered thru it.

[Bunky]

It was a not a calibrated setup. The other important aspect is tone. Of the three, I liked Rupes. A higher pitched unit can be more annoying.

[Todd@RUPES]

Thank you, very cool! Just an observation but watching the wrist watch it appeared the Rupes was vibrating a bit more. Anyone else see this.

The reason the RUPES appears to vibrate more is because they are using a thicker pad on which the tool has been sitting. This yellow foam is softer, which causes it to compress to one edge. This compression will work itself out quickly (although not quite as quick as the video is shot), which is why you have some up and down movement as the pad rotates to the compressed edge and back to the uncompressed edge.

The way to judge vibration is in free air. When applied to the paint, the foam pad becomes a shock absorber. Since a thicker pad compresses more it will take a few seconds longer to work itself true. This is particularly true if you grab a pad that hasn`t been used (and thus is at room temperature).

As Mike Phillip`s picture below shows, you cannot vibrate less than zero...

Rupes_System_in_Action_023.jpg

[Angus]

The reason the RUPES appears to vibrate more is because they are using a thicker pad on which the tool has been sitting. This yellow foam is softer, which causes it to compress to one edge. This compression will work itself out quickly (although not quite as quick as the video is shot), which is why you have some up and down movement as the pad rotates to the compressed edge and back to the uncompressed edge.

The way to judge vibration is in free air. When applied to the paint, the foam pad becomes a shock absorber. Since a thicker pad compresses more it will take a few seconds longer to work itself true. This is particularly true if you grab a pad that hasn`t been used (and thus is at room temperature).

As Mike Phillip`s picture below shows, you cannot vibrate less than zero...

Makes perfect sense to me! Thanks for the explanation, Todd

[RaysWay]

Awesome comparison! Thanks Paul & Ray!

14dB ambient - a very quiet place you found.

Thanks for reading. Yep, we got lucky and were able to use the garage while no one was in there.

Thanks a lot for the info guys, the Flex will be my next polisher purchase.

Thanks for reading! And I think it will be my next polisher too. After this test, I`m itching to give one a complete review with a full correction detail using RUPES or Thin Pro pads.

interesting and awesome test.

i wonder if the 15mm throw w/ 6inch pad has anything to do with less vibration? i wish flex would have went with the conventional route and go 5 inch BP

Before starting, we went back and forth trying to decide whether to test the FLEX XFE against other 15mm polishers, or other 6 inch polishers. Ultimately we decided the 6 inch polisher test was best, since a size difference with the backing plate makes a big difference. Also, since the main priority of this test was a sound comparison, we opted to test machines that were able to spin the same size backing plates from the factory. Although the FLEX only has the 15mm throw, it has enough power to spin the 6 inch BP; so we put it in the "heavyweight" class.

But who knows, maybe you`ll see another test in the future.

WOW! Very interesting...all the machines seem fairly close within 5dB`s, 3/4 pound, and 2" in length.

Thank you for taking the time to present this in a semi-scientific manner. To me they`re fairly similar.

The one thing I noticed is :

FLEX XFE7-15 (15mm)
Griots Garage BOSS 21ES (21mm)
RUPES LHR 21ES (Not the new MKII) (21mm)

I wonder how it would compare with these three 15mm machines?

FLEX XFE7-15 (15mm)
Griots Garage BOSS G15 (15mm)
Rupes BigFoot LHR15 MarkII (15mm)

Thanks for reading Merlin and I agree, there all awesome machines. I feel like I work for Car and Driver and have to compare the new Mustang v.s. the new Camaro when we run these tests. Testing all of the 15mm machines seems to be a popular request...

Totally overlooked the 6" OEM BP, i hope they release a 5" BP for it.

We do too! I hope they release a wide range of backing plates for it.

Thank you, very cool! Just an observation but watching the wrist watch it appeared the Rupes was vibrating a bit more. Anyone else see this.

You guys are observant! I didn`t even notice that when watching the video (I was keeping my eye on the decibel meter). The sound comparison was really top priority for this test between 6 inch long throw polishers. If vibration was top priority, maybe we would have tested all 15mm machines against each other. The RUPES feels like it has the longest throw and most power when using it hands down. One thing to keep in mind is the test was done with all polishers on max speed 6, which is usually uncharted territory for long throw polishers. The BOSS 21 in comparison felt like the only part of the polisher that was moving, was the backing plate. It has a very "direct" feel which I like. If I was blindfolded and someone handed me the G21, I would probably guess I was using a 15mm polisher. Maybe the rubber grips have something to do with absorbing some of the vibration.

Ditto^^^^^^^& to add the Flexxfe7-15 sounds very similar to the 3401.

You`re right, it does. Although I think it moves a lot more air than the 3401. I remember Paul commenting on how much air the FLEX XFE moves while using it. Maybe it can be used to dry a car too

I`m sure they`re going to offer a 5.5`` bp later on.

Let`s hope FLEX hears our prayers. I`d like to try it with a 4 inch backing plate with 5 inch LC Hybrid Pads.

Cool video and comparison. What caught my eye was how little the Flex appeared to vibrate Nicks arms/ watch with in use - watch closely as he switches to the GG and then the Rupes - his arms/ watch bounces around significantly more with the later 2.

Thanks for reading Angus. After taking all the video and pictures we played with all the tools in the garage with various pads and Paul and I agreed there was very little difference between each machine, but a difference nonetheless.

Ray,thank you so much for that test,Flex is the quietest,the lightest,smallest,low vibrations,i think its my next DA.
Now ill have to wait for the 220v version..

Thanks for reading! I`ll check with FLEX to see when the 220v version is coming.

Very cool! Thanks for putting it together and sharing with us.

Thanks for reading Smack!

When I tested it at Detail fest it was super smooth and I tried to put more downward force than would ever be used to work on paint and it still powered thru it.

Thanks for the feedback. I agree, I`m really happy with the amount of power FLEX put behind the polisher. I think they did their homework.

It was a not a calibrated setup. The other important aspect is tone. Of the three, I liked Rupes. A higher pitched unit can be more annoying.

YES! I`m happy that came through the video. The RUPES hands down had the lowest frequency sound (lowest pitch) while using. Also you`re right, we definitely have to consider some margin for human error. After watching the video a few times myself, I thought it would be better to have the sound meter in a stationery position. Then put the polisher in the same position to test sound, but while recording we decided someone holding the meter was best to avoid glare from the overhead lights. Overall I`m happy with the test though. We had fun running it and learned a lot.

[RaskyR1]

The reason the RUPES appears to vibrate more is because they are using a thicker pad on which the tool has been sitting. This yellow foam is softer, which causes it to compress to one edge. This compression will work itself out quickly (although not quite as quick as the video is shot), which is why you have some up and down movement as the pad rotates to the compressed edge and back to the uncompressed edge.

The way to judge vibration is in free air. When applied to the paint, the foam pad becomes a shock absorber. Since a thicker pad compresses more it will take a few seconds longer to work itself true. This is particularly true if you grab a pad that hasn`t been used (and thus is at room temperature).

As Mike Phillip`s picture below shows, you cannot vibrate less than zero...

Rupes_System_in_Action_023.jpg

While I understand your point on testing vibration in free air, at the end of the day we don`t polish the air. Thus I feel comparisons should be done on paint, as IMO that`s more of a real world/use comparison.

Just my $.02

[craigdt]

Awesome test. The new Flex looks like a smooth operator.

I wish they would have put the speed control dial on the top. Makes it tough for us lefties when it is on the side!
It`s sad that I may have to factor the machine out on that one little detail.

[nothingface5384]

Test should of been idealy done with a Rupes pad since Rupes is the only unit that pushes a specific only pad.
I personally would of love to seen the test done with a thin pro.

And regarding vibration and free air...
My personal experience with the G21 is at speed 6 the inbalance was reduced drasticly with Thin pros
Boss pads registered 2nd
Low pros were barely worse, almost not notable, but it indeed came last.

Now at speed 4, the inbalance didn`t feel measurable between the 3 Pads

Speed 4 is what you`d be polishing/correcting at.
Speed 6 and even 5 would delaminate your pad if you used throughout the whole car
So the whole vibration/inbalance thing is Mute to me.

Willing to bet the new flex and the Rupes would act the same say as the G21 did to me.
Perhaps I`ll be testing that theory soon enough

Vibration weather in free air or on panel..they have a direct
Relationship

If theirs vibration in air..it won`t be snooth on panel
If it`s smooth on panel, theirs little to no vibration in free air

It all goes hand in hand

[GearHead_1]

I appreciate the explanation Todd and I understand what you are saying. That said, no one spends time holding these in the air and I guarantee Nick could feel what I was seeing. The no load spinning also doesn`t insure that a machine performs the same under a load as it does free wheeling. I don`t doubt that as you said, it will level out.

I also understand the primary purpose of this test was to identify noise but I would have liked to see all of these machines run as their systems were designed with pads that are part of their systems. I have to think both the Rupes and Griot`s machines may have benefitted with respect to vibration. It leaves me to wonder if the noise also would not have been affected.

[allenk4]

Moot.


.

[allenk4]

3dB difference is difficult for an Adult to perceive

5dB should be noticeable


The two factors examined here, that would be of interest to me; are the overall length of the polisher and the weight


Why do I even read threads on New polisher options...my 3401 Crushes every defect I have ever encountered and finishes fantastically!


.

[Todd@RUPES]

While I understand your point on testing vibration in free air, at the end of the day we don`t polish the air. Thus I feel comparisons should be done on paint, as IMO that`s more of a real world/use comparison.

Just my $.02

I agree with you, but also feel that both need to be measured when we are evaluating a tool.

I think we need to be careful to define what are a evaluating. If we are testing system vibration (balanced), then it should be tested in free air with the dampening effect of the foam pad as it interacts removed from the equation.

If we are testing user experience, then this interaction is necessary.

When a foam pad is engaged to the work piece, it will act as a shock absorber, and help cancel out smaller, higher frequency vibration. This relates completely to the user experience, as we will only feel the vibration that makes it "through" the foam pad. This can trick into believing we are using a balanced system, even when we are not.

However, if we are running in free air the vibration dampening effect is minimized. This is important for evaluating the true vibration of the system and helps to predict things like tool life. Vibration, caused by imbalance, is the result of strenuous forces being applied to the bearings and the shaft, which will either accelerate the wear of the items or cause catastrophic failure. The larger the throw, the more important vibration free running is.

If a tool doesn`t vibrate in free air, but experiences some type of vibration on the surface, then we can isolate the problem to either the pad or the way the pad/liquid is interacting with that particular surface. If the tool vibrates in free air, but feels smoother on the surface, than we know that the system is not completely balanced but is pad/liquid interaction with the surface is canceling the user from feeling the effects.

Ultimately, vibration (in free air) and user experience are two very important factors that need to be considered.

My 1 cent (worth about .7 cent with inflation).

I truly enjoyed this conversation, but I don`t want to pull it too far off topic and take away from the team`s video. Just wanted explain the levering of the RUPES up and down in the video on a fresh pad which was compressed.

[JustJesus]

Gentlemen, THANK YOU! This was a great video and thread. I appreciate the video, db meter, and the weights/lengths. Awesome stuff.

I "watched" the video with my eyes closed. Although the Rupes registered higher numbers, I would prefer the "silenced" sound from it.

Again, thanks for putting this test together. I want to send you guys cookies!

[RaysWay]

Gentlemen, THANK YOU! This was a great video and thread. I appreciate the video, db meter, and the weights/lengths. Awesome stuff.

I "watched" the video with my eyes closed. Although the Rupes registered higher numbers, I would prefer the "silenced" sound from it.

Again, thanks for putting this test together. I want to send you guys cookies!

7744 SW Jack James Dr
Stuart FL 34997

[allenk4]

While I understand your point on testing vibration in free air, at the end of the day we don`t polish the air. Thus I feel comparisons should be done on paint, as IMO that`s more of a real world/use comparison.

Just my $.02

I am in agreement with Rasky


Any machine should be evaluated under actual use, not spinning in free air, under zero load


Look how well this power drill spins in free air! Does that make sense?