What is vibration and why does it matter?

[RaysWay]

Let`s stay on topic fellas.

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Knucklehead comments from those who do not know zip.

[XxBoostinxX]

A lot of very valuable information as always Todd. I have always been happy with my two Rupes purchases and plan on making a third.

[ShawnF350]

Whether it be the washer mod or Sandpaper Mod..
Even if it gives no benefit..
How else can I fling product all over people I don`t want around me (wife too) while I`m polishing if I don`t do the mod.

[Junebug]

Really, Todd sells Rules and he says they are the best. Let that sink in for a second. This thread is pointless. Until there is an independent third party test both machines in a controlled environment like a Myth Buster segment, it`s all marketing.

[Setec Astronomy]

Really, Todd sells Rules and he says they are the best. Let that sink in for a second. This thread is pointless.

LOL, when this thread started I thought to myself--this isn`t going to end well.

[Todd@RUPES]

A lot of very valuable information as always Todd. I have always been happy with my two Rupes purchases and plan on making a third.

Im glad to have helped. I`m also happy to hear your satisfaction with RUPES :-)

Whether it be the washer mod or Sandpaper Mod..
Even if it gives no benefit..
How else can I fling product all over people I don`t want around me (wife too) while I`m polishing if I don`t do the mod.

Good point lol.

Really, Todd sells Rules and he says they are the best. Let that sink in for a second. This thread is pointless. Until there is an independent third party test both machines in a controlled environment like a Myth Buster segment, it`s all marketing.

This thread is about how and why RUPES engineered their system to be as nearly vibration free as possible, not a comparison between other machines. This is obviously a sponsored section in this forum, so of course the content will be about RUPES. This much should be obvious. :-)

Of course I work for RUPES, but I would never be so arrogant as to assume that anything is best for everybody.

[RaskyR1]

This thread is about how and why RUPES engineered their system to be as nearly vibration free as possible, not a comparison between other machines.

It really is a systematic approach, truly engineered from the ground up. If you compare the vibration level of any other orbital polisher system against the BigFoot System, the difference is night and day. It is why RUPES doesn`t recommend changing backing plate sizes or using pads that will effect the balance of the tool. The point of this thread is emphasize how important vibration free operation is.

It is a responsibility that RUPES as a tool manufacturer (since 1947) and engineering firm takes very seriously.

Todd, I consider you a very good friend and have a ton of respect for you, but I simply can`t ignore comments and posts like this. I`m sure this thread has good intentions, but it became a comparison against other machines as soon as you made the above comment. I love Rupes and appreciate everything they have done for the industry. I had one of the very first LHR21`s in the US and currently own 5 Rupes polishers. BUT, I have also tested a newer polisher that I feel is equally as smooth and feel if Rupes is going to make such claims as above they should probably show actual test data to back it up. These new tools have only been available for about a month, which is another reason I question the statements made above.

[Todd@RUPES]

Todd, I consider you a very good friend and have a ton of respect for you, but I simply can`t ignore comments and posts like this. I`m sure this thread has good intentions, but it became a comparison against other machines as soon as you made the above comment. I love Rupes and appreciate everything they have done for the industry. I had one of the very first LHR21`s in the US and currently own 5 Rupes polishers. BUT, I have also tested a newer polisher that I feel is equally as smooth and feel if Rupes is going to make such claims as above they should probably show actual test data to back it up. These new tools have only been available for about a month, which is another reason I question the statements made above.

Very fair post Chad and good point. I certainly did invite comparisons with the wording of my posts, no doubt about it. I try very hard, but I am human and I am guilty of not thinking before I post. Of course the respect is beyond mutual.

RUPES does very sophisticated testing, but this is a case where compared system to system, anybody can feel the difference. When RUPES was first introduced to the U.S., recommendations were made about changing backing plate and pad sizes, and one of the most benefitical engineering points was lost. Many people have not experienced the near vibration free operation that BigFoot was engineered to have.

I would invite anybody to test the systems for themselves, with the appropriately designed pads to expericence the difference.

The timing has more with me having the time to post actively on the form, negotiations to become a sponsor have been in play since the Autopia merger announced at SEMA, than anything else. I have privately defended your integrity and will do so publically, even if our opinions are vastly different :-)

[ShawnF350]

I spent a lot of time on the road, teaching our distribution on the RUPES system. I almost always use the system in the manner it was developed (although I also love that people think and go outside of the box). I am so used to feeling the balance and near vibration free performance, that I am likely sensitive to changes. When I used my 21 with 15`s backing plate and pads, I felt a significant difference.

Simply operate the tool in free air and touch the body. You will feel the buzz. Swap to engineered backing plate and pad and it is as close to vibration free as likely possible. A significant amount of time was invested in this effort.

I understand - and appreciate - that even a small amount of vibration is understood to be normal with this style of tool, but I also know that it can all but be eliminated. Give it a shot and report back :-)

Todd, the 7 inch pads are with FedEx. Ordered all 2ea 7" of all 4 colored pads + the UHS pads all 3 sizes.
I have a blue and yellow microfiber pad. I think I have a 6"+7". Are the microfiber pads a very small difference between the two sizes?
One is tapered and the other is mostly a straight cut from the padding to the microfiber. Larger Velcro area. I would say it`s only 1/4" diameter larger.

Will the 6 +7 inch pads be the full inch larger where the microfibers aren`t?

[Ccrew]

Of course I work for RUPES, but I would never be so arrogant as to assume that anything is best for everybody.

But you would drive by a Rupes thread, throw a dislike at it and as a vendor rep not explain why you did so. That`s a bit arrogant in my book. Just saying.

[ShawnF350]

But you would drive by a Rupes thread, throw a dislike at it and as a vendor rep not explain why you did so. That`s a bit arrogant in my book. Just saying.

Where?

[Swanicyouth]

Just an FYI, Todd was plugging Rupes and how awesome the system is before he was affiliated with them.

I took a Rupes class at Detail Fest 2014 and he loved it then.

[RDKC]

I know I`m new around here but I just don`t get one thing.

Why does everybody around these forums expect every single manufacturer to back up every claim with hard evidence available to the consumer? Nobody seems to care that nobody else in any other industry does not do this.

Ford says they`re better than Chevy, do they give you proof? No. Coca-Cola says they`re better than Pepsi, do they give you proof? No. Does Samsung give you proof they`re better than LG? No.

It`s a given that any company is going to say their company and their products are better than similar products. Whether it`s marketing or fact is entirely irrelevant. It is the duty of the consumer to evaluate the options and formulate their own opinions. Marketing is to influence that and whether or not they disclose proof is part of their marketing choice.

On top of that, I`m pretty sure that Griot`s and other companies would not be too fond of a Rupes sponsored test and the data would be disputed anyway because Rupes paid for it. I`ve seen it a dozen times here already. People want proof, they`re given proof, and then it`s not good enough because it came from the OP.

Todd works for Rupes. It`s good to see employee pride in their products. Pride is a direct reflection of the company culture and, to me, makes me more confident in their products and services.

Anyway, if I offended anyone I apologize. This post was not intended to offend or insult anyone. I just really don`t get all the hostilities. Before anyone asks, no, I don`t own a Rupes. I`d like to one day but I don`t now so I have no experience for the basis of any judgement.

Keep doing what you`re doing, Todd. I actually appreciated the info and one day I`ll have to look more into the internals of all these polishers.

[Todd@RUPES]

But you would drive by a Rupes thread, throw a dislike at it and as a vendor rep not explain why you did so. That`s a bit arrogant in my book. Just saying.

? If I did, it was my fat finger hitting something on my phone. If you let me know where I`ll glady remove it!!!!

edit: First time spending any amount of time here since the merger too, didn`t realize you could dislike until you mentioned.

2nd edit: Found your post. There is nothing about it I didn`t like, so I liked it to even the score. Please accept my apology, it was a mistake.

[Todd@RUPES]

Todd, the 7 inch pads are with FedEx. Ordered all 2ea 7" of all 4 colored pads + the UHS pads all 3 sizes.
I have a blue and yellow microfiber pad. I think I have a 6"+7". Are the microfiber pads a very small difference between the two sizes?
One is tapered and the other is mostly a straight cut from the padding to the microfiber. Larger Velcro area. I would say it`s only 1/4" diameter larger.

Will the 6 +7 inch pads be the full inch larger where the microfibers aren`t?

I`m not 100% sure what 6+7" means?

The microfiber pads are available in 3 different sizes:

The 170mm pads with a 150mm mounting face for the LHR 21ES.
The 150mm pads with a 125mm mounting ace for the LHR 15ES/Duetto
The 100mm pads with a 80mm mounting face for the LHR 75E Mini and LHR 75 air driven polisher.

The one with the straight cut is the 170mm, the one with the beveled cut is the 150mm. There is a slight difference between the actually polishing face of the 170mm and 150mm pads, it isn`t 20mm. I believe both measure close to 150mm (about 6 inches), and the name difference is just to clarify the models.

In addition to the difference in mounting faces, both pads weigh different. The 170`s are a closer match to the 21`s counterbalance and the 150`s are a closer match to the 15`s counterbalance. However, neither is perfect and if you hold the machines is free air (off the paint) you will feel a slight buzz with the microfiber that you will not feel with the foam pads. If you plan on using the microfibers a lot we do have a different backing plate that will optimize the weight and dynamic balance should you desire.

Does this help?