New polisher quandry.......

Ronkh said:
Rupes
Boss
Flex


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Didn't you try them at Detail Fest? Regardless of anyone else's input, you really can't go wrong with any of them so I say get which one feels best in your hands, as they are all capable of excellent correction.
 
I have a Rupes 21 and love it. Haven't used the 3401 since I have bought it and don't know that I ever will again. I really would like to buy a Mark II 15 next. If you want to buy one and ship it to me to try out for a while I would be more than happy to! :gotcha:
 
RaskyR1 said:
Didn't you try them at Detail Fest? Regardless of anyone else's input, you really can't go wrong with any of them so I say get which one feels best in your hands, as they are all capable of excellent correction.
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:(

Was sorta hoping for a definitive answer from you......... (respected opinion)
 
RaskyR1 said:
I say get which one feels best in your hands...
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This is great advice. To me it's very similar to walking into a kitchen store and buying a new chefs knife - they'll all slice and dice - but you need to get the one that feels the best in your hands. If only I had PBMG in my back yard.... *sigh*

Which one felt the best to hold while at Detailfest, Ron?
 
The 3401, to me, is the most versatile out of the bunch. You can polish nearly every inch of most vehicles with it. I'm confused as to why guys say its a workout for them. The original sized BP is unnecessarily large, however, it's relatively easy with the smaller Lake Country backing plate.
 
EXPDetailing said:
The 3401, to me, is the most versatile out of the bunch. You can polish nearly every inch of most vehicles with it. I'm confused as to why guys say its a workout for them. The original sized BP is unnecessarily large, however, it's relatively easy with the smaller Lake Country backing plate.
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Already have 2 of em
 
EXPDetailing said:
The 3401, to me, is the most versatile out of the bunch. You can polish nearly every inch of most vehicles with it. I'm confused as to why guys say its a workout for them..
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I too find the Flex 3401 to be easy enough to handle, but for the life of me I can't quite get the same final finish with it that I can get with some of my other polishers. So I wouldn't want it to be my *only* polisher, but IMO that's kinda like talking about one's "only wrench" anyhow- sure some people get by with only one Crescent wrench, but not me.

Threads like this do sometimes test my resolve regarding not buying (yet another) new polisher! If I did any frequent correction to speak of I'd probably be choosing between the Rupes and the Boss.
 
I've never had a problem handling the 3401..

Just want something smoother. And I know Rupes is smoother.
 
Ronkh said:
:(

Was sorta hoping for a definitive answer from you......... (respected opinion)
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I can give you my $.02. ;)

The new Mark II really is more powerful and I feel it will solve all the stalling issues some users were having with the original. I can run it at speed 3 all day long and it won't stall on me. It's very smooth and not as high pitch sounding as the older tool, but I don't necessary feel it's any more "smoother" the the original. The speed control is very linear though and the new rubber stop on the back is great.

While the BOSS may be slightly out gunned in power now it still has many features I prefer over the Rupes, and it just "feels" better in my hands. It's ergonomics simply work better for me, I can't stand slow start features like the Rupes has, the BOSS trigger is variable (albeit not as good as a rotary), I love the rubber grips, and the quick access brushes should be standard on any tool. I don't really consider warranty a factor but I know it matters to a lot of users. I do dislike seeing some of the failures online since it's release but all 3 of my tools are still working perfectly, 2 of them after 16 months now. You can also find a post for any tool with some kind of complain or failure, though to my knowledge the Rupes ones have all been pretty minor dealing with cords and speed controls. With the polishers on the paint (Mark I and BOSS), I found the difference in smoothness between the 2 negligible, others may agree or disagree but that was what I felt and also what my wife and buddy who doesn't detail felt when I let them compare the 2 sets of tools.

The new Flex is intriguing, but probably not one I'll consider trying at this time as my Rupes and BOSS tools already do the same thing. For that reason and the fact that I haven't used or even held the new Flex I can really only give opinion based on other Flex tools I've owned. While it was a very solid machine, I ended up disliking my 3401, which is why I sold it after 18 months, but I absolutely love my PE14 rotary and you couldn't pry it out of my hands if you tired! ;) I would expect the new Flex DA to be just as solid as their other tools and the compact, lightweight design is a definite plus. If the power is there I think it should be a serious consideration for anyone looking at a 15mm tool. If you use and own the 3401 it should also feel right at home in your hands...I know it's briefly awkward for me switching between the Rupes and BOSS so that's something to consider too.

Hope that helps. :)

Rasky
 
I am following this thread as I really want to upgrade my polisher. I just need to stop buying products, and put my money towards one. Interesting to see opinions on the plethora of options now available.

Ron, why not just sell one Flex and buy a MarkII and the iBrid. That way you are well rounded in the DA polisher dept.

SIDE NOTE: That is if you don't necessarily have must have purpose for both 3401's.
 
RaskyR1 said:
While the BOSS may be slightly out gunned in power now it still has many features I prefer over the Rupes, and it just "feels" better in my hands. It's ergonomics simply work better for me, I can't stand slow start features like the Rupes has, the BOSS trigger is variable (albeit not as good as a rotary), I love the rubber grips, and the quick access brushes should be standard on any tool. I don't really consider warranty a factor but I know it matters to a lot of users. I do dislike seeing some of the failures online since it's release but all 3 of my tools are still working perfectly, 2 of them after 16 months now. You can also find a post for any tool with some kind of complain or failure, though to my knowledge the Rupes ones have all been pretty minor dealing with cords and speed controls. With the polishers on the paint (Mark I and BOSS), I found the difference in smoothness between the 2 negligible, others may agree or disagree but that was what I felt and also what my wife and buddy who doesn't detail felt when I let them compare the 2 sets of tools.

Rasky
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hey rasky, curious on which BOSS polishers you have, g21 or g15? or both? is your g21 wielding a 5" backing plate by chance?
 
The solution for your problem.

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donbeezy said:
hey rasky, curious on which BOSS polishers you have, g21 or g15? or both? is your g21 wielding a 5" backing plate by chance?
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I have (2) G21's and a G15. I picked up the 2nd G21 so I could have it set up with the 5" BP. The other 2 tools were the test mules from Griot's.
 
RaskyR1 said:
I have (2) G21's and a G15. I picked up the 2nd G21 so I could have it set up with the 5" BP. The other 2 tools were the test mules from Griot's.
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i find my g21 w/ 5" bp set up has much more vibration then a rupes 15 mark 2. not sure if the 5" bp plays a big part of that or not
 
donbeezy said:
i find my g21 w/ 5" bp set up has much more vibration then a rupes 15 mark 2. not sure if the 5" bp plays a big part of that or not
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Any change in BP or pad weight can offset the balance and it will depend on what pads you're using. I rarely use my 5" set up but definitely feel it's not as smooth as it is with the 6" plate. I never compared it to my 21mm Mark II as my 5" Rupes plate is not compatible with the MKII and need to order a new one. :/

I feel the 15mm machines are smoother in general.
 
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