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  1. #1
    Mary B's Avatar
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    To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Thinkin` a Rupes mini would be my next machine, is it worth the $$
    For another 100$ I could get a Flex 14 rotary.
    Keeping these :
    Boss 15
    Flex pe8

    Upgrading these :
    Torq10 ( hate it )
    TorqX ( like it may keep as dedicated 3" )

    ​I don`t know ??

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    My vote flex
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  3. #3
    rlmccarty2000's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Kinda two different animals. I love my Rupes mini, but may not be using it as much now that I have the Nano. It de-ends on what you want your next machine to do.
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  4. #4
    Detailers Workshop The Driver's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    It depends on what you need, to me the Pe8 gets cannibalized by the PE14. I use the PE14 just like I use the PE8, for very tight precision polishing on classics or contouring very sharp angles like fins. Also keep in mind the PE14 might be bigger but offers the most control of ANY polisher out there besides a Festool rotor. The advantage of having a rotary for tight precision polishing is not having to worry about throw which can impede and even damage raised/tight areas. The PE14 offers slow start FROM 600 which means you could run it at around 2-300 on partial throttle. To me, the most important feature of a rotary is the soft start. I like my Mini, but it does tend to get cannibalized by the Nano.

    It`s kind of like having a laptop, tablet, and a large size smartphone. You tend to reach for the extreme, rather than the middle because you have the choice.

    My line up right now


    Flex PE14
    Dodo Juice Spin doctor V1
    Rupes 21 MKII
    Rupes 15 MKII HD
    Rupes 75 Mini
    Rupes Nano LN


    Sold
    Flex 3401 - Too much vibration
    Flex PE8 - Too small of a machine for not having a soft start + 1000 rpm starting is not always great...
    Rupes 21 Legacy - Only machine I regret selling (I gave it away to a friend; however I plan on getting another)
    Rupes 15 Legacy - The MKII was just such a step up!
    Griots Garage BOSS 21 - By far the most powerful machine I`ve ever used. However, the Rupes MKII was smoother.
    Griots Garage 6 inch II - Broke
    Griots Garage 6 inch III - Replacement, best bang for the buck machine out... it`s not a Rupes, though!
    Griots Garage 3 inch II - Not enough power, great sander @ 8mm throw
    Metabo 14 Rotary - Too wonky
    Rupes 21 MK II, Rupes 15 MK II, Rupes 21, Rupes LHR75e, Rupes Duetto, Rupes Ibrid-L, Rupes LH18ENS, Flex PE-14-2, Dodo Juice V1

    Quote Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000 View Post
    At $21.99 it will remain a secret to me.
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  5. #5
    Wax Waster Ronkh's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Yes !!
    Formerly the "Best Detailer", now just Super Wax Waster Man. Not necessarily tactful, but normally right. It`s good to be da King !!!
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  6. #6
    mikejames's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    I have been looking at this Zentool ZEN-12EM mini dual action. It`s $100 cheaper then the Rupes mini, and looks to be about the same to me.
    The ZEN-12EM operates a 700W motor which will provide plenty of power without bogging down, but still providing the safe operation of a dual actiuon polisher.
    Electrical: 110VAC/60Hz
    Power: 700W (0.939 hp)
    No Load Speed: 2500-5500 RPM
    Orbit: 12mm (0.472 in)
    Weight: 1.8kg (3.968 lb)
    Backing Plate: 76mm (3 in)
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  7. #7
    512detail's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    I`m glad I got my mini on open box.

    love that tool. going to use it here in a few minutes in fact

    to the op: I`ve never used a flex but I`d bet they are all solid polishers.

    the rupes is almost bubba proof so I like it a lot, haha

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk


    Brandt K.
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  8. #8
    XxBoostinxX's Avatar
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    To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    I love my mini. It was my first Rupes and still use it when it`s needed. It has its place in my arsenal just like my nano. Mainly because I use the mini for bumpers and the nano for bumper tops. The nano just doesn`t have the power sometimes to be as efficient as the mini.
    2006 Saleen S281 Supercharged - Black

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  9. #9
    Mr. Slick's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Rupes if you wanna be slick. Kinda seems like a tool that labels you an elite detailer just using it


    Sent from my iPotato using Tapatalk
    "I can shine your car if you don`t shine me on" -Mr. $lick
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  10. #10
    Mary B's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Quote Originally Posted by mikejames View Post
    I have been looking at this Zentool ZEN-12EM mini dual action. It`s $100 cheaper then the Rupes mini, and looks to be about the same to me.
    The ZEN-12EM operates a 700W motor which will provide plenty of power without bogging down, but still providing the safe operation of a dual actiuon polisher.
    Electrical: 110VAC/60Hz
    Power: 700W (0.939 hp)
    No Load Speed: 2500-5500 RPM
    Orbit: 12mm (0.472 in)
    Weight: 1.8kg (3.968 lb)
    Backing Plate: 76mm (3 in)
    I`m checkin` it out now. WOW what a cool lookin` machine, plus has 700W

    Attached Images Attached Images
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  11. #11

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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    I will vote the rupes mini. I have one and use it a lot for small touch-ups with very good results.It starts very smooth and runs vibration free with the rupes pads.
    Likes Mary B liked this post

  12. #12

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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Quote Originally Posted by Wing Commander View Post
    I will vote the rupes mini. I have one and use it a lot for small touch-ups with very good results.It starts very smooth and runs vibration free with the rupes pads.
    My vote also.
    Likes Mary B liked this post

  13. #13
    KBsToy's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Mary B.

    I got my mini on ebay since they never go on sale. Every once in awhile AG / Autopia do a 15% NO EXCLUSION sale which could help on a flex. I browse ebay every day for RUPES, FLEX polishers. Being a retired autopian this is what I do along with checking on open box deals
    There’s a place in the brain for knowing what cannot be remembered.
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  14. #14
    mikejames's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Yes, I forgot the rupes mini is 400 watts vs. 12EM being 700 watts. I think there is some youtube video of the 12EM in action to be able to take a closer look.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajua3GYcrAQ
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  15. #15
    KBsToy's Avatar
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    Re: To MINI or not to MINI ?? Or should I Flex

    Quote Originally Posted by mikejames View Post
    Yes, I forgot the rupes mini is 400 watts vs. 12EM being 700 watts. I think there is some youtube video of the 12EM in action to be able to take a closer look.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajua3GYcrAQ
    Looks interesting I never heard of this polisher before. As has been said before alot of knowledge here on Autopia
    There’s a place in the brain for knowing what cannot be remembered.
    Likes mikejames liked this post

 

 
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