Whats your go to polisher?

What's your go to/s? Choose your top two max!

  • Makita 9227

    Votes: 7 5.6%
  • Hitachi Sp18va

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Dewalt 849/x

    Votes: 2 1.6%
  • Flex Pe 14-2

    Votes: 9 7.2%
  • Flex 3401 - Forced

    Votes: 32 25.6%
  • Flex 3403 - Rotary

    Votes: 2 1.6%
  • Rupes 15

    Votes: 13 10.4%
  • Rupes 21

    Votes: 14 11.2%
  • Griot's Garage 6 - 1/2/3rd gen.

    Votes: 45 36.0%
  • Porter Cable

    Votes: 30 24.0%
  • Rupes Duetto

    Votes: 2 1.6%
  • Griot's Garage 3 - 1/2nd gen

    Votes: 7 5.6%
  • Rupes LH75E aka Mini

    Votes: 3 2.4%
  • Cyclo Dual action

    Votes: 2 1.6%
  • Makita BO805

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Cyclo Rotary

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other please List!

    Votes: 9 7.2%

  • Total voters
    125
So I'm assuming that if coin is not an issue, the FLEX 3401 is the way to go. I'm looking to buy and there is many options out there. Rupes seems to be a great option as well.
 
Just make sure you can adapt to counter-clockwise rotation.. I had no problem with this..

Its built very solid, and I remember when they first came out believe 9-10 years ago, there were some saying they got hot with constant use..

But cannot remember anyone ever saying " MY Flex blew up" (like the Griot machine)...

The company that makes this machine makes machines that polish stone..
Dan F
 
I like the Flex since I get consistent results. I also have a Rupes 15 too but still have not used it much for polishing. The Rupes seems to have a similar flaw as my other non-forced DA (UDM 1.0) where the backing plate/pad can get very hot at higher speeds. It seems to work best under speed 3 for paint cleaning.
 
I like the Flex since I get consistent results. I also have a Rupes 15 too but still have not used it much for polishing. The Rupes seems to have a similar flaw as my other non-forced DA (UDM 1.0) where the backing plate/pad can get very hot at higher speeds. It seems to work best under speed 3 for paint cleaning.

Hi Bunky, I know this may not be the best thread to ask but can you elaborate more about the backing plate/pad getting hot at higher speeds? Are you using Rupes pads or a lot of pressure?

Last year I was using BnS MF pads with my Rupes 15 and sure enough, with my experience using the GG6 I had put down a lot of pressure while polishing which led to over heating the pads causing them to deform, warp and backing plate to split. With a BnS black foam pad I found the foam near the backing plate to split as well, except this time with almost no pressure.

This year I changed over to Rupes MF pads and Rupes foam pads using medium to light pressure and to my surprise the pads are cool to the touch after every section. Also note I do change a pad after 3-4 sections to prevent overheating.
 
Hi Bunky, I know this may not be the best thread to ask but can you elaborate more about the backing plate/pad getting hot at higher speeds? Are you using Rupes pads or a lot of pressure?

I am not using Rupes pads (B&S, LC) and not using a lot of pressure. My Rupes did not like the Crimson HT pads very much.

In my limited use with finishing polishes so far, if you crank up the speed of the Rupes (anything at 4.5 to 5, after 5 I see little increase in speed anyway) the polish will dry out quickly and loads the pad. I tend to believe that Rupes would work better with Rupes pads but not planning on buying more pads. I got Rupes for quick finishing/waxing or using mf pads along with the smooth operation (no vibes like my other non-forced DA). I have considered trading the Rupes 15 for a Duetto.
 
If I'm going to a 100000000 polishing shoot out with Kevin Brown and could only bring 1 polisher.... I'd show with a rupes21 and hope he left his home :) I know every polisher has its place but I do 90% of anything I do with a Rupes21 and a 75e mini.
 
I use the Meg's GV110V2 with 6" BP and 6.5" LC CCS pads (although I will be getting the 5.5" Megs MF Correction system). It's my first DA, but I have very little to complain about in terms of vibration or pad heat. The body of the machine gets warm, but that is after 30 minutes of continuous polishing in 99 degree, 100% humidity type heat.

I would love to have a rupes bigfoot mini if I had the money.
 
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