Rupes 21 or Flex 3401 Poll

[ShawnF350]

I`ll be receiving my 21 tomorrow.
I have the Rupes 15, Mini, 3401 and a Makita rotary.

Without explaining the pros and cons, I`m looking for which you would keep if you had to unload either the 3401 or 21.
I think I have an idea what will win but want some votes.
Just a reply of which one of the two you would part with will do.
Please vote only if you have used both polishers!

[Accumulator]

I`ll find this interesting (won`t be participating as I only have the Flex 3401). Wonder if it`ll boil down to the Flex`s "recoil".

[Marc08EX]

Keep 21ES, unload 3401.

[Ccrew]

Before we answer, can you tell us what kind of work you do with them?

[ShawnF350]

Personal vehicles and friends and family.
Not removing sanding marks.
Plan on removing swirls and mild scratches if needed.

[MooreImpressive]

you don`t do this professionally but you have well over $1,000 in polishers? seems like a waste of money, no? the 3401, 15, or 21 would do any of your friends and family`s cars just fine, especially if not doing sanding. I`d sell everything else and spend that money on some others things.

[Merlin]

I have both.
The Rupes 21 is my Go-To machine.
The 3401 collects dust.

I`m looking at adding a Griot`s Garage BOSS 21.

[ShawnF350]

Forgot to add..16 yo son will be doing side panels while I do tops.
Plus I can`t help myself.

[Tpr1634]

I have the 3401 & the Rupes 15 and mini. I vote to keep them all you already have them, so cash was not an issue, you just never know which one and when you may need one of them. It`s all personal choice for me I love my 3401 I`ll bet I`ll use my 15 90% of the time but it always on standby.

[RaskyR1]

It`s going to come down to user preference and really it`s only a question you can answer. I sold my Flex 3401 after about 18 months so the answer between those 2 units for me would be to keep the Rupes 21.

[Kacz]

Such a tough one to answer.

Thats why I have both and use the 7in pads on the 21 and 5-5.5in pads on the 3401.

Just got my father to try them both out and he liked the Rupes better on his hands/joints/etc...maybe that`s worth something??

[Stokdgs]

I want a machine that will not stop or have a hissy fit with certain panel shapes..
The Flex 3401VRG fits my preferences and needs, and the Makita9227C will always be used first..
Dan F

[Ccrew]

Personal vehicles and friends and family.
Not removing sanding marks.
Plan on removing swirls and mild scratches if needed.

Well I`m not busting on you for $1k in tools, I think I may be a few up on you so I have zero room to talk.

Personally with you not doing heavy correction or production work I`d probably keep the Rupes and sell the 3401. Well, I`d probably sell neither because tools . I`m not sure I`d have bought the 21 with owning the 15 and the 3401 though. The one that I`d have in your arsenal instead would be the PE8

[ShawnF350]

Well I`m not busting on you for $1k in tools, I think I may be a few up on you so I have zero room to talk.

Personally with you not doing heavy correction or production work I`d probably keep the Rupes and sell the 3401. Well, I`d probably sell neither because tools . I`m not sure I`d have bought the 21 with owning the 15 and the 3401 though. The one that I`d have in your arsenal instead would be the PE8

I`ve had an opportunity this past year to work plenty of overtime. So with the price I`ve been getting the tools for, I figured I could always sell what I don`t use..in time.
But it`s nice to have all to try.
I haven`t used the Makita yet but have plans for it. It does go well with my pad washer though.
Maybe I`ll get aPE8 for cleaning the smaller pads...
Just kidding of course.

[Justins00ss]

I own a Makita rotary, 3401, PE8, GG 3in mini. Really contemplating a boss 21. In the same boat as you. Do I keep my 3401 or ditch it all together.