Flex vs. BOSS vs Rupes: Im not seeing something here..

[jrock645]

How does one thats not a pro go about learning to use a rotary?

[RaysWay]

How does one thats not a pro go about learning to use a rotary?

Practice makes perfect! Get a black hood or trunk lid from a junkyard and practice. There are a lot of great YouTube videos to learn from.

[jrock645]

True. Been meaning to get one for a while

[Detailology Oz]

I wouldn`t watch too many rotary videos on you tube, most show old school or bad technique

Anyhow I don`t use a flex or rupes, I never follow the flock
the flex is only 8mm throw and is only forced rotation, not random and forced as some of my machines area and more machines should be.
so you can`t just have a flex, forced can put in holograms too sometimes.

The rupes and boss are nice but not my preference

Festool have it partially right with the rotex unfortunately they`ve never listened and upped the orbit throw size like I asked cause their market is woodworking 75% and auto 25%

The next gen of random is adjustable orbit throw, updated duo orbit like metabo have possibly too

[Tpr1634]

I`ll say I love my Flex 3401, Rupes 15 and mini no doubt it`s a lot of money tied up since I don`t do this for a living.
but it`s great to have those choices when needed.

[XxBoostinxX]

I wouldn`t watch too many rotary videos on you tube, most show old school or bad technique

Anyhow I don`t use a flex or rupes, I never follow the flock
the flex is only 8mm throw and is only forced rotation, not random and forced as some of my machines area and more machines should be.
so you can`t just have a flex, forced can put in holograms too sometimes.

The rupes and boss are nice but not my preference

Festool have it partially right with the rotex unfortunately they`ve never listened and upped the orbit throw size like I asked cause their market is woodworking 75% and auto 25%

The next gen of random is adjustable orbit throw, updated duo orbit like metabo have possibly too

Which Festool are you referring to? I have been watching a guy use a Festool rotary for some time. I don`t know a whole lot about their machines is why I ask.

[The Driver]

Which Festool are you referring to? I have been watching a guy use a Festool rotary for some time. I don`t know a whole lot about their machines is why I ask.

It`s the Festool shinex rap 150, very nice machine but the flex pe is better because of the head grip Imo. The Rotex is nice but due to its throw it`s really only good as a sander. I do love doing metal stripping with the Rotex.

[Dogfather]

I wouldn`t watch too many rotary videos on you tube, most show old school or bad technique

I hope you`re not talking about the gravel and motor oil guy. I love those vids.

[RW215]

Id go for the rupes 15,its a very smooth machine,super easy to control,quiet,with the least vibrations of all DAs,and the most important thing,it gets the job done in the best possible way there is.
The flex is a great machine but its too close to a rotary.
The rupes 21 is not as balanced&controllable as the 15.
Get the 15,you wont be sorry.

[jrock645]

Id go for the rupes 15,its a very smooth machine,super easy to control,quiet,with the least vibrations of all DAs,and the most important thing,it gets the job done in the best possible way there is.
The flex is a great machine but its too close to a rotary.
The rupes 21 is not as balanced&controllable as the 15.
Get the 15,you wont be sorry.

How experienced are you with a rotary? I own a 3401 and just got a 3403, which I used for the first time today. I don`t feel like they`re at all similar

[Detailology Oz]

I agree, the rotex is better as a sander and also in random orbital mode it doesn`t spin well at low speed

[RaysWay]

Anyhow I don`t use a flex or rupes, I never follow the flock
the flex is only 8mm throw and is only forced rotation, not random and forced as some of my machines area and more machines should be.

The FLEX 3401 is a forced rotation random orbital polisher. It`s not only just forced rotation. Which other forced rotation + random orbit machines do you have?

[Robert DiTerlizzi]

wow, some great responses here!
I`ll just give you my version..........
The Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher FREE BONUS is an awesome machine! It cuts defects quickly and finishes out flawlessly !
As for the Rupes LHR 15ES Big Foot Random Orbital Polisher and the Rupes LHR 21ES Big Foot Random Orbital Polisher, they are both awesome machines and perform equally as well as the Flex.
Griots Garage BOSS G15 Long Throw Random Orbital Polisher & Griots Garage BOSS G21 Long Throw Random Orbital Polisher are each highly capable and efficient machines as well.

Heres the thing that a lot of people don`t understand, results are not only created by which machine you use, but by your choice of pad, product and most of all your "Technique"!
You can work side by side with your best bud, using the same tool, product and pad and get different results. Its your individual technique that you may need to tweak, not only pad, product or machine to get the results you desire.

Try it, make some tweaks to your process and see for yourself

If it matters, I prefer to finish with a 12mm or shorter throw machine, but thats my personal preference!
Like Mike Phillips says quite often, "Find the products and machines you like and use them often"

[Robert DiTerlizzi]

picking a machine is like buying a car, its what suites you that differs from others.

I own (in DA`s only) Flex 3401, Rupes 21 & Duetto, Meguiar`s MT300, Griot`s GG6, Meguiar`s G110v2 and a PortaCable 7424xp and use them all regularly.
Each machine has it`s place!
I tend to agree about the workout with the Flex3401, but try some lower profile pads with it and it becomes much more controllable

[The Driver]

wow, some great responses here!
I`ll just give you my version..........
The Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher FREE BONUS is an awesome machine! It cuts defects quickly and finishes out flawlessly !
As for the Rupes LHR 15ES Big Foot Random Orbital Polisher and the Rupes LHR 21ES Big Foot Random Orbital Polisher, they are both awesome machines and perform equally as well as the Flex.
Griots Garage BOSS G15 Long Throw Random Orbital Polisher & Griots Garage BOSS G21 Long Throw Random Orbital Polisher are each highly capable and efficient machines as well.

Heres the thing that a lot of people don`t understand, results are not only created by which machine you use, but by your choice of pad, product and most of all your "Technique"!
You can work side by side with your best bud, using the same tool, product and pad and get different results. Its your individual technique that you may need to tweak, not only pad, product or machine to get the results you desire.

Try it, make some tweaks to your process and see for yourself

If it matters, I prefer to finish with a 12mm or shorter throw machine, but thats my personal preference!
Like Mike Phillips says quite often, "Find the products and machines you like and use them often"

Well said! I`m sure you are familiar with Jeweling. For high end show jobs I love (after correcting) jeweling with a rotor and a jeweling pad (It really bring the clarity to a whole other level).