5" backing plate for FLEX

[VintageRestore]

Hi guys - is there a 5" backing plate that I can use on the 3" FLEX XFE7-12 - 80?

Thanks

 

[Mike Phillips]

Hi guys - is there a 5" backing plate that I can use on the 3" FLEX XFE7-12 - 80?

Thanks

Help me out here as I tend to not memorize tools by part numbers. I've been asking FLEX and any tool manufacturer that will listen to me to give their tools some kind of nickname as I know I'm not the only one that doesn't like to remember tools by part numbers.

Is this the 12mm random orbital polisher?

I have one of these in the shop but it's a PROTOTYPE and as such, they built it in Germany using an existing tool body, but not the tool body that become the XFE7-12-80


Mike

 

[VintageRestore]

Help me out here as I tend to not memorize tools by part numbers. I've been asking FLEX and any tool manufacturer that will listen to me to give their tools some kind of nickname as I know I'm not the only one that doesn't like to remember tools by part numbers.

Is this the 12mm random orbital polisher?

I have one of these in the shop but it's a PROTOTYPE and as such, they built it in Germany using an existing tool body, but not the tool body that become the XFE7-12-80


Mike

Hi Mike - yes it is.

I like the 3" size for my more intricate work. However I'd like the option of running a 5" pad as the pads I want to use by Scholl's are only available in the US in the 5" size.

If not, I'll just order the 3" size Scholl pads from the UK as the US distributor does not import the ones I'd like.

 

[Mike Phillips]

I took the backing plate off my prototype, and it uses the same mounting style of backing plate as the RUPES random orbital polishers, which means it uses the same type of mounting style for all the copies of RUPES polishers.

But the thing I noticed is the bolt hole for the 5" RUPES BigFoot 15 backing plate is larger than the bolt hole for the 3" FLEX backing plate - this could lead to wobbling. Of course, these types of tools already wobble since they are orbitals.

You also might have to cut out the inner portion of the plastic shroud where the backing plates fits against the spindle.

Not sure if this helps?


Mike

 

[VintageRestore]

I took the backing plate off my prototype, and it uses the same mounting style of backing plate as the RUPES random orbital polishers, which means it uses the same type of mounting style for all the copies of RUPES polishers.

But the thing I noticed is the bolt hole for the 5" RUPES BigFoot 15 backing plate is larger than the bolt hole for the 3" FLEX backing plate - this could lead to wobbling. Of course, these types of tools already wobble since they are orbitals.

You also might have to cut out the inner portion of the plastic shroud where the backing plates fits against the spindle.

Not sure if this helps?


Mike

Huge help. You are awesome. Thank you Mike.

 

[Mike Phillips]

Huge help. You are awesome. Thank you Mike.

I also checked the backing plate on my Makita PO5000C, which is a gear-driven orbital polisher. I appears to use a backing plate similar to the RUPES 5" BigFoot backing plate, so this might work. My guess is any of the popular copies of RUPES tools, like Shinemate an Maxshine, their backing plates might also work.

The only way you'll know is to get one of these larger backing plates and then see if you can attach to your FLEX polisher.

Also - for what it's worth. I NEVER liked this tool This is an example of everyone, and in this context, everyone means FLEX - jumping on the long-stroke bandwagon. That is, after RUPES made a big splash in the market, everyone copied them in that everyone ditched short stroke polishers and started introducing long stroke polishers. In other words, everyone jumped on the long stroke bandwagon.

I much prefer a short stroke style versus a long stroke style for mini polishers. The best mini short stroke is now been discontinued, but sometimes you and find them used on eBay. This would be the Griot's Garage GG3. GG3 stands for Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher but this was a mistake in my opinion on how to name a tool.

The GG3 is 5mm short stroke polisher. Perfect for sanding and much better at maintaining pad rotation and pad oscillation as compared to anything similar only long stroke.

Just one man's opinion.


Mike

 

[Mike Phillips]

I just checked eBay, there's a NIB or New in Box GG3 plus a bunch of used models.

Griot's Garage 3" Random Orbital Polisher New In Original Box

I have two in our shop here in Stuart, but I rarely use them because I normally use this tool for sanding but nowadays, we have the cordless FLEX PXE-80 mini polishers, and I use this with the 6mm drive unit for sanding.

I took this picture last night as I was using the PXE-80 to edge the panels as I machine dry sand the paint after hand wet sanding.

But yeah, if I didn't have the FLEX PiXiE I would be sanding using the GG3 - 5mm trumps 12mm any day for both paint polishing and sanding.


Mike

 

[VintageRestore]

I also checked the backing plate on my Makita PO5000C, which is a gear-driven orbital polisher. I appears to use a backing plate similar to the RUPES 5" BigFoot backing plate, so this might work. My guess is any of the popular copies of RUPES tools, like Shinemate an Maxshine, their backing plates might also work.

The only way you'll know is to get one of these larger backing plates and then see if you can attach to your FLEX polisher.

Also - for what it's worth. I NEVER liked this tool This is an example of everyone, and in this context, everyone means FLEX - jumping on the long-stroke bandwagon. That is, after RUPES made a big splash in the market, everyone copied them in that everyone ditched short stroke polishers and started introducing long stroke polishers. In other words, everyone jumped on the long stroke bandwagon.

I much prefer a short stroke style versus a long stroke style for mini polishers. The best mini short stroke is now been discontinued, but sometimes you and find them used on eBay. This would be the Griot's Garage GG3. GG3 stands for Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher but this was a mistake in my opinion on how to name a tool.

The GG3 is 5mm short stroke polisher. Perfect for sanding and much better at maintaining pad rotation and pad oscillation as compared to anything similar only long stroke.

Just one man's opinion.


Mike

Always appreciate other people's experience and opinions.

I tried the GG8 and it was nice but it didn't "speak" to me.

Upgraded to the GG13 and I got much better results and a better user experience (in my very unprofessional opinion).

I heavily considered the Rupes Duetto (5") and the 3" version (75E Mini I think it is). But the entire pad-stalling thing over the the many years plus the fact that it seems there is post after post of professional's having their Rupes fail after the first use (I've seen posts where detailers are reporting a 100% failure rate among on their recent Rupes and still receiving them back broken) frankly made just want to lean on Flex.

My issue with the GG13 (and GG8) is it's too long and stick-like for my close quarters use. I prefer the shape of the Rupes Duetto and Flex 3". But overall the GG is a nice feeling machine with nice ergonomics.

The Flex should be arriving this week. I can always return it if I don't like it.

I prefer corded tools on these as the last thing I need in my life is another battery platform. I've consolidated all my other tools from a Makita / Milwaukee mix to a simple Hilti platform (Hilti and their battery tech is AMAZING) so I don't want more batteries in my life.

Not saying my impressions are right - just how I formed them.

 

[Mike Phillips]

At the end of the day, all that matters is how you get to shiny.