Rupes Direct Drive

[Mike Phillips]

I looked a while back and could only find the 4-3/8” and the standard 5-1/2” backing plates. I’ll be darned if I can find a 6” anywhere. Can you direct me to a source?

The 6" backing plate is for the NEW versions of the original BEAST, not for the BEAST itself.

Here's 1 of over 1000 how-to articles and reviews I wrote that can still be found on the geek forum.

Supa BEAST and CBEAST Backing Plate Swap by Mike Phillips

Apologies for any confusion.


Mike

 

[Mak]

Well, I think now I see my problem. My 3401 has a 5-1/2” dia plate. I guess everyone considers that a 6”. Didn’t realize they used to ship standard with a 4-3/8”.
thanks. I remember reading your old articles now that you linked.

 

[Mike Phillips]

Well, I think now I see my problem. My 3401 has a 5-1/2” dia plate. I guess everyone considers that a 6”. Didn’t realize they used to ship standard with a 4-3/8”.
thanks. I remember reading your old articles now that you linked.

Most of the industry overstates the exact size. For example, a Lake Country 5" Rotary Backing Plate measures 4 3/8"

It's kind of a general reference. But there is a reason the backing plates tend to be a tick undersized from the stated diameter and that's because in order to CENTER a backing plate onto the back of a buffing pad - the backing plate has to be a tick smaller or perfectly equal to the diameter of the velcro on the back of the pad.

And the reason for this is so you can see to center the pad.


Mike

 

[Erik The Red]

Hello all, hello Mike.

Im Erik from across the pond, from edge of the world.
I started my own all-in-one gig (bit of bodywork and painting plus bit detailing on side) almost year ago so ofcourse budget is nonexistent. After getting scammed from abroad out of Rupes LHR75 and Mark 2 i looked towards alternatives because either way, polishers are needed after refinishing.

I did like Mikes views on forced rotation machines. And i got for starters Flex Pixie for really narrow places and denibbing. Well, as main 3" and almost 6" machines i purchased... Festool Rotexes (initially i was inclined to Flex Beast or battery versions)
Because for heavy duty paint and putty grinding, theres nothing matching yet. And they do polish okay. For lighter work i have my Mirka Deroses and Deoses.

So, as someone asked, there is a 3" forced rotation machine on the market- Festool Rotex RO 90.

Havent polished full cars yet but it does its job okay, Flex Pixie is sort of scary to use with 3" wool pad- gearbox might not take it

I have looked into newish Mirka Deros RS 600, more like rotary polisher. Or another mega grinder. Speeds match but its not stepless. Some crazy australian was very fond of it as a rotary polisher (official video showed how it was used to polish small airoplane windshield, so theres that). I might look into it also, although around 600 euros is sort of alot. But double use machine, slap 5" Deros pad and its 5" rotary. Dust port might be bit on the way but on Rotex 90 it was not an issue for now.

So, these are my thoughts after 13 years of painting every kind of veichles and such, bit of paint correction here and there on top.

 

[Mike Phillips]

Hello all, hello Mike.

Im Erik from across the pond, from edge of the world.

Welcome to my tiny spot on the Information Highway. I mostly use this to share my own projects but it's completely open to like-minded car enthusiasts from all backgrounds.

I started my own all-in-one gig (bit of bodywork and painting plus bit detailing on side) almost year ago so of course budget is nonexistent. After getting scammed from abroad out of Rupes LHR75 and Mark 2 i looked towards alternatives because either way, polishers are needed after refinishing.

Sorry to hear you were scammed out of your money.

I did like Mikes views on forced rotation machines. And i got for starters Flex Pixie for really narrow places and denibbing. Well, as main 3" and almost 6" machines i purchased... Festool Rotexes (initially i was inclined to Flex Beast or battery versions)

At this time, I would whole heartedly recommend the FLEX Supa BEAST as the original BEAST is being discontinued.

I never even try to remember Part Numbers for tools as I'm always telling tool companies to to give their tools a catchy name, nut a part number.

But this article will share the actual part number for the Supa BEAST.

The differences between the BEAST, Supa BEAST, and the CBEAST by Mike Phillips

Because for heavy duty paint and putty grinding, theres nothing matching yet. And they do polish okay. For lighter work i have my Mirka Deroses and Deoses.

So, as someone asked, there is a 3" forced rotation machine on the market- Festool Rotex RO 90.

I just investigated the Festool ROTEX RO 90 and it the copy states it's a RANDOM orbital sander/polisher.

So while there may be some gears inside the tool somewhere, it's not a gear-driven orbital, it's a free spinning, random orbital tool.

I've seen a 3" gear-driven orbital polisher from Argentina or Brazil? Not sure.


Mike

 

[Erik The Red]

Hey Mike. Thanks for warm welcome, ive learned alot from you over the years, although im not full-blooded detailer.

Mike, Festool Rotexes are technically random orbital sanders with switchable forced rotation mode and with backing plate, a polisher. RO 150 is 5mm throw but if you flip the switch, its gear driven. Change the backing pad for polishing (although regular sanding pad takes discs aswell) and boom, quite similar metrics as Rupes Mille with 5 mm throw and OPM.

Same is with smaller RO90 (90 mm pad)- delta attatchment, fine sanding at 3mm and coarse sanding at forced rotation. Change to polishing backing plate and boom, you have forced rotation 3 incher. Although its just 3mm throw but its forced and does cut. Officialy 4 in one tool and form factor is very funky, because it has... belt drive!

Yea, once i will get dedicated polishers and Flex is the way. In Europe, its not hard to get new or new worthy original Beast... But meanwhile ill work with my unorthodox (but officially approved by Festool) gimmics. Because im too poor to buy cheap tools.

Erik