Rupes Direct Drive

[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

 

[Mike Phillips]

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.

Interesting - did not know this but to be honest, I just scanned the Amazon page for the RO90.

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!

Also interesting. Thanks for clarifying.

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

Like the saying goes...

Buy once, cry once...


We shot a video last week and in the video I referenced the inexpensive Harbor Freight Hercules Cordless Rotary Polisher. This tool is like brand new. It's been used in 4-5 of my classes, dating back to September of 2025

Here's a picture of William using the cordless Harbor Freight Rotary compounding a boat after machine sanding. So it has worked in the past.

587 Pictures - No Chairs! No Sitting! September 2024 Detailing Class with Mike Phillips

In the video, I tried to tun the polisher on and nothing. Tried a couple of times. Nothing. Tried switching to a different, fully charged battery. Nothing.

Then after the video, the next day, I depressed the speed trigger and BOOM - the tool comes to life. I've never experience this with any of my FLEX cordless rotary polishers, and I have about 24 of them in the garage for our classes.

Here in the United States, it's probably a good idea to purchase the extra insurance for any electrical tool purchased at Harbor Freight. This cordless rotary is no working, sure strange it just died on camera.


Mike