The Detailers Cafe

Detailing Products => Buffing/Polishing Machines => Topic started by: Blown F-150 on April 16, 2014, 08:50:14 PM

Title: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Blown F-150 on April 16, 2014, 08:50:14 PM
Well after talking about it for a while, I finally pulled the trigger on a new polisher. I went for the 15 instead of the 21 as I really don't need the extra power or throw for what I'm doing. Also at the price, I didn't need to up the cost to a full $400.

I ordered it from Kevin Brown on Justin's recommendation and I gotta say, he has been extremely helpful and nice throughout the purchase process. He ran into an issue where he thought he had a 15 in stock, but didn't so he shipped me a 21 to use until it comes in.   :clap:

Now all I need is for it to friggen warm up! :redneck:
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Obsessive Detail on April 16, 2014, 09:28:44 PM
Awesome, you are going to love it!
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Blown F-150 on April 16, 2014, 10:46:38 PM
Thanks Justin. If you are around on Friday, I would like to swing by to pick up some pads, etc.
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Obsessive Detail on April 16, 2014, 10:48:46 PM
I will be around, just give me a call when you are on the way!  :cool:
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Rollingrock on April 17, 2014, 04:00:28 PM
I am new to these, looks similar to a Flex..

Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Blown F-150 on April 17, 2014, 06:08:28 PM
I am new to these, looks similar to a Flex..

I actually would love to get my paws on a flex to compare. The Flex is similar size to the Rupes, but the Rupes is more like the PC where it doesn't have forced pad rotation.

I will provide a review to compare it to my PC XP.
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Too Stroked on April 17, 2014, 06:25:28 PM
I'll be another one waiting for a full review. I looked at one, but the price scared the hell out of me.
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Blown F-150 on April 20, 2014, 04:26:25 PM
I expect the demos to arrive tomorrow and I will test them out if the weather holds.

I dropped by Justin's on Friday and he hooked me up with a bunch of stuff. I know it may be hard to believe, but I now even have some Meg's HD in my Arsenal.

(http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss281/2000BlownF150/20140420_104253_resized_zps4eca7690.jpg) (http://s584.photobucket.com/user/2000BlownF150/media/20140420_104253_resized_zps4eca7690.jpg.html)
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Too Stroked on April 20, 2014, 04:54:53 PM
I know it may be hard to believe, but I now even have some Meg's HD in my Arsenal.

([url]http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss281/2000BlownF150/20140420_104253_resized_zps4eca7690.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s584.photobucket.com/user/2000BlownF150/media/20140420_104253_resized_zps4eca7690.jpg.html[/url])


Just don't let JP see it.  :funny:
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Kitzy on April 20, 2014, 07:24:24 PM
Opti clay.  Haha.  They have such a creative naming system. 

Good score! 

I actually just found some power clean in my cabinet yesterday.  Good deal.  About a quarter of a gallon left.

Tapatalkin...
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Blown F-150 on April 28, 2014, 04:43:22 PM
My Rupes arrived today!  :clap:

Kevin was nice enough to throw in a set of Rupes pads for me to try out for having to wait.

I feel bad as his Demo's have now gotten lost in the mail and I hope they make their way back to him! Crazy, never had any issue with USPS before.

So far, just looking at it, fit and finish are nice, trigger has a nice feel and it doesn't feel much heavier than the PC. I am looking forward to trying this thing out!

(http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss281/2000BlownF150/20140428_151309_zpsfjnypmhj.jpg) (http://s584.photobucket.com/user/2000BlownF150/media/20140428_151309_zpsfjnypmhj.jpg.html)
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Too Stroked on April 28, 2014, 07:21:41 PM
I - and others - await a full report with recommendations.  :judge:
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: sscully on April 28, 2014, 07:28:22 PM
I - and others - await a full report with recommendations.  :judge:

I'm in the same boat.

Don't know how it can work as well as flex, not being forced rotation.

The cost is another thing that I choke on, if I am spending that kind of money I would go with the flex vs a DA.
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Kitzy on April 28, 2014, 07:46:08 PM
I've noticed this machine being talked about more and more.  What makes it the new greatest thing out?  I know absolutely nothing about it.

Tapatalkin...

Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Obsessive Detail on April 28, 2014, 08:10:35 PM
I've had my Rupes for a little over a year now.  The Rupes is a monster at removing defects.  It does work so much better than a Flex and is very smooth.  The Rupes has a very large throw which covers a lot more area. The Rupes saves me a ton of time with my business, I can almost do a polish job as fast with the Rupes as using a rotary.
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Blown F-150 on April 28, 2014, 08:18:39 PM
I did a considerable amount of reading as well as chatting with Justin about it. The main reasons I went for the Rupes over the Flex are:

Noise: the Rupes has been reported as considerably quieter than the Flex.

Stroke: Even the LHR15 is almost double the stroke of the flex, from my understanding this translates into faster correction.

Pad sizes: I can go right down to 5" pads which are easily found from multiple suppliers. I also ordered a 6" backing plate for 6" pads (like those purchased from Justin). The backing plate is also very easy to swap out. Actual width of the 5" backing plate is 4 7/8" and the 6" is actually 5 7/8"

Forced rotation: I am still not 100% sold on the idea. I like being able to vary the speed of the pad rotation as I have found that different pads work better with a bit more pressure and less rotational speed. I also figure in the long run that the Rupes has less moving parts and therefore more reliable :dunno:

The Flex does have a slightly more powerful motor @ 590watts vs. 500 watts. But after my research, I feel the 90 extra watts are negated with the parasitic draw of the forced pad rotation system  :dunno:

Cost wasn't really a factor as I wanted to go with the 15 vs. the 20 from the get go. I paid $369.95, but also received an additional backing plate for free ($43 value). The LHR20 is more @ $399.95. When you factor in the 4 free pads or the backing plate, it's still a very, very similar value to the Flex (XC3401). I was extra lucky since Kevin through in some free Rupes pads too :cheers:

Also weight was identical between the two, I was hoping one was lighter than the other... :dope:

OPM is an overall lower scale on the Rupes than the flex, to me this allows some safety for my skill level.
Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Kitzy on April 29, 2014, 10:50:38 AM
What's the flex going for now a days?  I don't remember what I paid for mine.  I know it was an AG special impulse buy.  Sounds like the Rupes is quits the machine. 

Tapatalkin...

Title: Re: LHR 15E Rupes ordered
Post by: Blown F-150 on April 29, 2014, 11:07:35 AM
Right now the Flex is @ $359.95 on AG. that's not a sale price, so I am sure they come up cheaper than from time to time.
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