Rupes LHR 21ES Random Orbital Polisher - Features & Benefits

[Accumulator]

How about these?



[4.25" MF cutting disks]

I dunno if the extra 1/4" would work out OK, given the Cyclo`s head overlap.

[RaskyR1]

Nice video, Paul!





For some reason I feel like going dancing now though....could be the killer beats in the vid. :dance

[C. Charles Hahn]

Looks like I`ll be making a trip to the post office later... came home to a delivery attempt notice on my door.

[Paul Sparks]

Looks like I`ll be making a trip to the post office later... came home to a delivery attempt notice on my door.

No need to hurry to the post office Charles. I saved you a trip and had the shipment forwarded to my place. Anything for a bud.lol.

[IHA Mark]

Great post... you definitely made the case. I will seriously consider this vs. the flex DA next spring.

[Kevin Brown]

As much as I love the forums, there`s no denying the power of Facebook. A lot of chatter regarding the BigFoot, so I figured I`d copy and paste some of it here (this way it`ll be easier to find down the line). For the record, the entire thread can be found here, and was based off of a thread started here.



Rupes LHR 21ES: "The King of Cut"



Lots of discussion about the Rupes® BigFoot 5" LHR15ES versus the 6" LHR21ES.



"Are the backing plates interchangeable?"



"Can I use the 5" plate on the 6" machine?"



"Which is the best one?"



The backing plates ARE interchange between the machines.

The hard plastic portion of the plates are the same exact HEIGHT.

The 5" and 6" plate WEIGH nearly or exactly the same:





Repeated weigh-ins of the 5" plate showed a variance of 0-6 grams.







Repeated weigh-ins of the 6" plate showed a variance of 0-6 grams.







Rupes 5" buffing pad.





Rupes 6" buffing pad.



The blue & gray plastic portion of the backing plates measure:

5" plate - 117mm diameter / 6" plate - 130mm diameter





• The Velcro portion of the plates measure:

5" plate: 125mm or 4-7/8" actual / 6" plate: 148mm or 5-7/8" actual



• The white foam is 12mm tall on the 5" plate.

Its side features a somewhat squared side, flaring only 4mm top to bottom.



• The white foam is 9mm tall on the 6" plate.

Its side features a somewhat flared edge, flaring 9mm top to bottom.





So... there won`t be any "balancing issues" due to weight variance. However, should you decide to swap the 5" plate onto the 6" machine, it will FEEL different partly because the plate`s foam sections are not similar at all (plus other reasons, to follow).



Continuing on with the 5" plate on the 6" machine:



The 6" LHR 21ES may not FEEL as balanced as the 5" LHR 15ES because there is 40% more "throw" or "offset" with the 6" machine. In addition, the 6" machine utilizes a heavier counterbalance assembly, which compensates for the larger stroke (and perhaps a bit for the potentially heavier pad). The added counterbalance weight is not an issue unless you happen to REALLY be throwing the machine about or; the extra weight may cause more of a steering sensation (if you`ve ever ridden a "wheelie" down the street on a bicycle and turned the handlebars while the front wheel was spinning, this may make sense). Not really an issue, just something technical I thought about while writing this.



Otherwise, the added weight keeps the backing plate spinning along FASTER and MORE CONSISTENTLY as regular polishing or added friction is encountered (due to panel shapes changes, applied pressure, etc.) This was VERY noticeable during a mini-test session last night. The 6" machine SMOKED the 5" machine in terms of backing plate rotation, and under heavy applied pressure (to test the premise), the 6" machine was the clear winner in keeping the backing plate spinning. Keep in mind that the 5" machine is rated to deliver 5,000 RPM versus 4,200 RPM for the 6"..!



Which machine should YOU choose?



While all of the above SEEMS to show the LHR 21ES as being the clear choice, it was not my intent to make that choice for you. I`m merely stating what I saw to be true. Factually, I think that so many guys are used to using a 5-1/2" pad or disc nowadays, that they may want to stick with the 5" machine for financial reasons (some guys have 100+ 5" pads!), or simply because they`re used to using the 5" pad. I think both are great reasons to buy the 5" machine.



It is also true that all other things being equal (machine speed and specs, pads), a machine with a small stroke will FEEL smoother or more balanced (even if its not actually better balanced) because there is less "side bashing" of a pad against a hood bulge, a sharply curved plastic bumper, a body trim piece (or whatever). Or maybe not! A smaller pad means that the platform the machine is riding on (the pad) is less stable because it is not as large or wide (so a tilt of the machine or an encounter with a hood bulge may feel more "bashy" or "abrupt").



I could go on and on, but I wanted to at least relay the fact that the 5" plate will fit on either machine, and depending upon the pad to stick against it... you may or may not feel a "balancing" issue.

[SVR]

Kevin your mind is simply amazing, thank you.

As for yours truly buffing with a product that has no abrasives in it - I`ve never done that



even glare which I used years ago contains abrasives of some sort, otherwise how does it remove oxidation

since it`s solvent based I no longer use it or any other solvent based polish



What I do use though which is as close as what you said Kevin, is for final finishing

Two products from my mentor - The super wet water like High Tech polish as well as the awesome Jewelling polish which is even finer than any finishing polish (85RD, HD polish,speed etc) on the planet. whilst not as runny, it is extremely lubricated without containing alot of oils and is water based which I prefer as it doesnt break down my cars solvent based paint over regular use



it truly is mind blowing how fine this stuff finishes paint using no pressure, slow speed, low arm speed and a short or long stroke machine (dynabrade 61375 with 19mm, the makita bo6030 or metabo sxe450) using a flexipads ivory 110ppi european foam pad



I totally agree with you about short stroke vs long stroke in terms of the abraded paint residue on the pad issue. the metabo sxe400 is a cute and quite powerful machine capable of better than rotary correction of defects. for deeper scratches the rotary of course is better due to the shearing action



with microfibre pads and any technique/speed, the centre of the pad loads up alot which means I`m blowing the pad clean with compressed air alot.



comparing that to the 15mm orbit throw dynabrade polisher, the same pad stays cleaner

keeping the pad free from being loaded up with abraded paint residue is critical



What I`ve found amazing lately is using the mega ultra fine jewelling polish with a random orbital with a super strong pad (flexipads rayon) at medium speed then slower and slower. the moderate to medium paint damage on th 14 year old factory paint dissappeared and the gloss I got from that was way better than if I had done the traditional thing of cutting with compound and wool or other strong pad then going finer and finer with pads and polishes. once I finished up the panel with the ivory pad, RO and same polish, the result was mind blowing. rock hard paint though it may not work on but soft to medium, oh yeah.



As for the Bigfoot vs Dynabrade 61375 and 85

2mm more throw is a plus for the bigfoot but it doesn`t have forced rotation, the rotary behind the dynabrade is 1200 watts vs 500 for the rupes and 3200 rpm is fairly quick and gives the 75 tonnes of power to correct

The 85`s RO mode is not as good imho, the plate doesn`t freespin and throw itself around the mechanism like the RO only 75. I have taken out all the fine preparation marks in an aussie performance car`s OEM paint with that thing using just a microfibre polishing disc. reduced the peel by 25% at the same time

mind you my arm speed was bloody slow



the orbit speed of the rupes is slower than I would like but it totally blows the dynabrade away in terms of comfort and ease of use. one cannot use either dynabrade product on curvy panels unless your highly skilled, it`s best for fairly flat panels



but both heads are massively powerful and the strongest tool along with the bigfoot for cutting power but also finishing performance.

the 61375 at speed six with surbuf or microfibre pad not only correct stuff that usually requires sanding but it finishes out fantastic once the speed gets slowed down , pressure released and pad blown clean and a dash more product added just before the end



the only thing holding me back from buying a rupes is that it has been available in Australia for quite some time now and there have been reports of many burning out at crash shops doing normal compounding and polishing duties day in day out.

And it doesnt look as well built as a german tool

price tag here is several hundred here



I say have as many tools as you can, not just one or two. there`s a place for a, short and long stroke, big throw or little



Final words - Each machine type gives a certain look to the paint and so does different pad materials

IMHO the forced rotation tools are the best to correct with, the random orbitals are extremely good at both correcting and the last buffing step but can`t transform the paint ie retexturise it like a forced or rotary can



And the old rotary with it`s shearing action is the ultimate tool for Jewelling the paint. really glasses it out, enhancing colour shade, depth and overall clarity. but I always finish with an random.



will I buy a bigfoot - maybe in 2013 after seeing how long they last in other peoples hands. will it replace all my other tools - no way. it would just be another great tool in my weapons of defect destruction



wish it was 4,000 to 13,000 as with the metabo sxe450 with it`s 6mm throw. A surbuf at that speed is deadly to defects

Oh and the LHR75 would be `````ing if it had forced rotation which a 75 and 90mm polisher I`m looking to buy soon does have

[NEDetailing]

Wow, impressive write up! Nice job, Kevin! I`m already getting the Rupes...but this made my decision feel like a smart one, ha. I`m getting the LHR75 too!

[Barry Theal]

Kevin its posts like this that truely seperate you from the rest of the pack. I can remember a few years ago when we first started to talk. It was amazing to hear your mind work. Unlike any other person I have ever met. You not only have a passion for correcting and polishing paint, but the way you put it into words is astonishing. I have for one can say you opened my eyes to the way I look at paint. It never ceases to amaze me at things I have learned from you. I knew one way for years, now I find myself being more of a student and nt a know it all anymore. The strange thing is now when ever I teach a class I always fid myself teaching your methods in depth. Its been a blessng to know you. I can order my machines from any company, but itsyur humble ways and openness that keep me coming back to buffdaddy when a new machine its the market. Thank for not only inspiring me, but the may other paint polishing ways. One of these days weneed to get together and sand something!!! :yo:

[SeaJays]

Great article! I think I may be picking one of these up soon!

[imported_Quenga]

I got mine from Kevin last week and I LOVE IT. Even if it offered absolutely no benefit over the GG6, I would still get it. It`s quieter, smoother, easier to use...can`t say enough good about this machine.

[mikemurphy234]

Kevin its posts like this that truely seperate you from the rest of the pack. I can remember a few years ago when we first started to talk. It was amazing to hear your mind work. Unlike any other person I have ever met. You not only have a passion for correcting and polishing paint, but the way you put it into words is astonishing. I have for one can say you opened my eyes to the way I look at paint. It never ceases to amaze me at things I have learned from you. I knew one way for years, now I find myself being more of a student and nt a know it all anymore. The strange thing is now when ever I teach a class I always fid myself teaching your methods in depth. Its been a blessng to know you. I can order my machines from any company, but itsyur humble ways and openness that keep me coming back to buffdaddy when a new machine its the market. Thank for not only inspiring me, but the may other paint polishing ways. One of these days weneed to get together and sand something!!! :yo:

Well said Barry! I couldn`t agree more.

[sulla]

Any opinion on the optimum speed for this machine ? I assume with foam speed 6 is best like the flex ? What about mf pads ? Thanks before

[RaskyR1]

Any opinion on the optimum speed for this machine ? I assume with foam speed 6 is best like the flex ? What about mf pads ? Thanks before

Speed 4, light pressure, slow arm movement.

[sulla]

Thanks Rasky always candid response from you, what do you think about cranking it to speed 6 all the times ? with the griots this seems to be a no.no. and i believe you never crank the flex to speed 6 either cmiiw



PS: Are you using the washer mod from KB ?