Rupes Direct Drive

[theamcguy]

You mean a gear-driven orbital.

Let’s call it the Mini BEAST

LOL

Exactly same size as the PXE 80 but with the direct drive of the XC 3401 the Mini BEAST. Is anybody working on this?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Exactly same size as the PXE 80 but with the direct drive of the XC 3401 the Mini BEAST. Is anybody working on this?

And it has to have a trigger.

 

[opie]

You know what is needed? A direct drive polisher the size of the PXE.

You mean a gear-driven orbital.

Let’s call it the Mini BEAST

LOL

That would be a awesome tool. I have the flex supa beast, rotary both corded. Only cordless tool i have is the pixie. While it is a nice tool, i find the 3 and 12mm not useful. I mainly use 3inch in rotary and the use the 6mm which its mostly for sanding.

After going gear driven some years ago i get frustrasted having to use a free spining da. Its so much slower. I found i have the same polishing mindset as mike p.

 

[Mak]

I have the optional 6" backing plates on all my CBEASTS and Supa BEASTS except I have ONE Supa BEAST with the factory 5" backing plate.

I keep one tool with the smaller 5" backing plate to let the students see/feel the difference when using a larger backing plate and thus a larger pad, (larger footprint), and the factory smaller backing plate and corresponding smaller pad, (smaller footprint).

Afterwards, most people agree, these tools are smoother to hold and use with the larger buffing pads and at the same time, the larger pads take advantage of all that gear-driven orbital goodness.


Mike

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?

 

[opie]

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?

Autoality.com for one

 

[Mak]

Autoality.com for one

Thanks, but don’t see it listed there either. Just the 4-3/8 and 5-1/2

 

[opie]

Thanks, but don’t see it listed there either. Just the 4-3/8 and 5-1/2

Im sorry for i looked at wrong one. The clean garage has 6 inch in stock,juat checked

 

[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.