Rupes BigFoot LEGACY 6" Random Orbital Polisher



















Rupes BigFoot LEGACY 6" Random Orbital Polisher

Rupes BigFoot LEGACY 6" Random Orbital Polisher

Rupes BigFoot LEGACY 6" Random Orbital Polisher
Rupes BigFoot Random Orbital Polishers are world renowned for their wonderfully balanced rotating assemblies. All other aspects of a machine being equal... the larger the stroke, the more CRITICAL the balancing of the rotating assembly BECOMES.<br/><br/>Rupes LHR15ES and LHR21ES LEGACY Random Orbital Polishers are unmatched in terms of their comfort & controllability during use.<br/><br/>Specifications for 5" Polisher-<br/>Part number: LHR15ES (LEGACY)<br/>Backing plate diameter: 5"/125mm<br/>Machine Length: 16-13/16”<br/>Weight: 5lb. 11oz. (not inc. cord)<br/>Cord length: 28' 11"<br/>Cord weight: 1lb. 8oz.<br/>Power input: 120V/60Hz<br/>Power consumption/rating: 500 watts<br/>Fixed speed: 2k-5k OPM<br/>Orbit diameter: 15mm<br/><br/>Specifications for 6" Polisher-<br/>Part number: LHR21ES (LEGACY)<br/>Backing plate diameter: 6"/150mm<br/>Machine Length: 16-13/16”<br/>Weight: 5lb. 15oz. (not inc. cord)<br/>Cord length: 28' 11"<br/>Cord weight: 1lb. 8oz.<br/>Power input: 120V/60Hz<br/>Power consumption/rating: 500 watts<br/>Fixed speed: 2k-4k OPM<br/>Orbit diameter: 21mm<br/><br/>Rupes BigFoot Legacy Random Orbital Polishers are available in 5" and 6" versions. Although they appear to be similar, each machine has been individually tuned to deliver top-notch performance, & unrivaled "driving" comfort.<br/><br/>The 5" and 6" Legacy machines feature their own unique rotating assemblies (hub & counterweight), and have been specifically performance-tuned via their electronic control modules.<br/><br/>Specifications for 5" Polisher-<br/>Part number: LHR15ES Legacy<br/>Backing plate diameter: 5"/125mm<br/>Machine Length: 16-13/16”<br/>Weight: 5lb. 11oz. (not inc. cord)<br/>Cord length: 28' 11"<br/>Cord weight: 1lb. 8oz.<br/>Power input: 120V/60Hz<br/>Power consumption/rating: 500 watts<br/>Fixed speed: 2.0k-5.0k OPM<br/>Orbit diameter: 15mm<br/><br/>Specifications for 6" Polisher-<br/>Part number: LHR21ES Legacy<br/>Backing plate diameter: 6"/150mm<br/>Machine Length: 16-13/16”<br/>Weight: 5lb. 15oz. (not inc. cord)<br/>Cord length: 28' 11"<br/>Cord weight: 1lb. 8oz.<br/>Power input: 120V/60Hz<br/>Power consumption/rating: 500 watts<br/>Fixed speed: 2.0k-4.2k OPM<br/>Orbit diameter: 21mm<br/><br/>he Rupes 981.321N 6" Velcro Backing Plate is factory installed onto the LHR21ES.<br/><br/>The Rupes 9.BF180H 6" BLUE Coarse Foam Pad is designated as being a HARD CUTTING pad.  Although this pad INITIALLY feels rigid, it becomes very pliable as it warms & saturates with buffing liquid.<br/><br/>This buffing pad features a large pore, thick-wall design. The "open cell" structure of the 9.BF180H keeps it clog-free longer than traditional foam cutting pads. However, it may sling or splatter if too much compound is used.  To control sling, do not intentionally saturate or use an excess quantity of compound with this pad. This pad does not require (nor benefit from) priming of the pad.<br/><br/>The 9.BF180H is a SUPER PAD for compounding duties, as it is common to see diminutive-diameter pads saturate quickly with buffing liquid and paint residue (and this pad WILL NOT remain loaded for an extended period of time).<br/><br/>Actual dimensions:<br/>(Velcro: 6-1/8" | 156mm) • (Pad Face: 7-1/8" | 182mm)<br/><br/>The Rupes 9.BF180J 6" GREEN Medium Foam Pad is designated as being an INTERMEDIATE CUTTING pad.  Compared to the Rupes BLUE Coarse Foam Pad, this buffing pad utilizes a much smaller pore structure, and feels softer to the touch. Its performance characteristics are more in line with a typical high quality foam cutting pad, and is capable of leaving a very nice finish. As such, only minimal follow-up polishing is required to achieve a high-caliber finish.<br/><br/>In larger diameters, it is TYPICAL to see miniscule remnants of foam SPIT from the pad during polishing... yet it remains a VERY popular choice!<br/><br/>Actual dimensions:<br/>(Velcro: 6-1/8" | 156mm) • (Pad Face: 7-1/8" | 182mm)<br/><br/>The Rupes 9.BF180M 6" YELLOW Fine Foam Pad is designated as being a MEDIUM or FINE POLISHING pad. For general polishing duties, this buffing pad is TOUGH to BEAT. The 9.BF180M is UNEQUALED in versatility of use, and can be paired with heavy-cut compounds OR finesse-grade polishes.<br/><br/>In larger diameters, Rupes YELLOW foam buffing pads are WORLD RENOWNED.<br/>This pad should be a staple in your pad arsenal.<br/><br/>Actual dimensions:<br/>(Velcro: 6-1/8" | 156mm) • (Pad Face: 7-1/8" | 182mm)<br/><br/>The Rupes 9.BF180S 6" WHITE Ultra-Fine Foam Pad is designated as being a SOFT or ULTRA-FINE FINISHING pad. This buffing pad is VERY soft and pliable, making it the perfect choice for use on difficult-to-finish paint types, or for use on super-contoured panel shapes.<br/><br/>Potentially a bit grippy (compared to the other Rupes Foam Pads), this can be counteracted by decreasing pressure, or adding a bit of machine speed or arm speed (to assist in decrease pad drag). It sometimes helps to use in conjunction with micro-spritzes of water.<br/><br/>Actual dimensions:<br/>(Velcro: 6-1/8" | 156mm) • (Pad Face: 7-1/8" | 182mm)<br/><br/>The Rupes 9.BF180U 6" GRAY UHS Easy Gloss Foam Pad is designed for use with Rupes' own UHS (Ultra High Solids) Easy Gloss Polishing Compound. It is also compatible with virtually ALL buffing liquids.<br/><br/>UHS pads are very dense, reminiscent of a firm "memory foam".<br/>As it warms during use, the UHS pad becomes soft and pliable.<br/><br/>Rupes UHS pads cut remarkably well, and are capable of leaving a scour-free finish. In order to avoid irreversible saturation of the foam, this pad should be cleaned OFTEN during use. Otherwise, it may become difficult to clean, as it does not collapse and recoil rapidly.<br/><br/>Actual dimensions:<br/>(Velcro: 6-1/8" | 156mm) • (Pad Face: 7-1/8" | 182mm)<br/><br/>The Rupes 9.BW180H 6" Blue Coarse Wool Polishing Pad features a diverse string length & density combination designed to deliver fast cutting action, without the heavy scouring typically associated with heavy-cut wool pads.<br/><br/>Available in 1-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch, 5-inch, and 6-inch diameters. BIGFOOT.<br/><br/>Actual dimensions:<br/>(Velcro: 6" | 152mm) • (Pad Face: 6-1/2" | 165mm) • (String Length: 3/8" | 9.5mm)<br/><br/>The Rupes 9.BW180M 6" Yellow Medium Wool Polishing Pad features highly refined, non-twisted wool strings. The term "non-twisted" refers to the fact that the wool strings are NOT braided together to form a thicker, rope-like string.<br/><br/>This pad delivers a smooth feel during polishing. The plushness and length of its wool strings enable the 9.BW150M to work efficiently on super-contoured areas.<br/><br/>Available in 1-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch, 5-inch, and 6-inch diameters. BIGFOOT.<br/><br/>Actual dimensions:<br/>(Velcro: 6" | 152mm) • (Pad Face: 6-1/2" | 165mm) • (String Length: 1/2" | 12.7mm)<br/><br/>Rupes 6" Microfiber Coarse Pads feature a beveled or flared-edge design, allowing them to stay planted to curved or complex panel shapes.<br/><br/>With the progressively flaring edge, comfort of use is through the roof! 9.BF170FH<br/><br/>Rupes 6" Microfiber Fine Pads feature a beveled or flared-edge design, allowing them to stay planted to curved or complex panel shapes.<br/><br/>With the progressively flaring edge, comfort of use is through the roof! 9.BF170FM<br/><br/>Rupes Buffing Liquids. All three liquids are free of heavy oils & fillers, making them ideal for use in preparation of surfaces that will be protected via cross-linking sealants, polymers, and coatings.<br/><br/>9.DACOARSE250 | 9.DACOARSE<br/>D-A Coarse is designed to deliver rapid defect removal. Although D-A Coarse is an extremely capable cutter, state of the art technology and untold hours of testing and adjusting this formula enable D-A Coarse to oftentimes deliver a visually perfect finish.<br/><br/>9.DAPOLISH250 | 9.DAPOLISH<br/>D-A Polish is likely to be the go-to liquid for the majority of polishing situations. It’s been designed, tested, and tweaked to deliver everything professionals & enthusiasts desire: the potential to cut rapidly, yet finish beautifully; short or long buffing cycles; ease of use; fail-safe performance.<br/><br/>9.PURE250 | 9.PURE<br/>UNO Pure is likely to become the world standard for finessing swirls, haziness, tick marks, and other imperfections that are often created when attempting to perfect finicky paint types.<br/>The Buff Brite FLAMETHROWER Professional Polishing Light can be mounted in all sorts of ways. Its tubular light bar fits into an anti-vibration rubber compression ring, allowing it to rotate 360 degrees.<br/><br/>The light can be mounted to illuminate directly in front of the polishing machine, or to the side. Aluminum mounting arm allows for height & angle adjusment of the FLAMETHROWER.<br/><br/>Delivers a spectrum of light optimized for illuminating paint surface defects.<br/><br/>(7,800K color temp | 400/800 lumens | 2,200 MAh lithium-ion battery)<br/><br/>Replace the factory plastic bolts with polished button head stainless steel bolts! Nicer looking, plus they allow you to super-tighten the head cap assembly (which always seems to loosen up when using the plastic screws).The Rupes Embroidered BigFoot Big Bag Tool Case is a BEHEMOTH of a bag! It's built like a tank,and can carry a surprising amount of weight. "One of my bags weighed in at 64 pounds!" KB.<br/><br/>Specifications-<br/>Part number: 9.Z917/BF<br/>Dimensions: 23"L x 15"T x 13"W<br/>Weight: 10 pounds<br/><br/>*Note: When in upright position, carry handle adds 3-1/4" to height.<br/><br/>Features:<br/>Heavy Duty Waterproof Material<br/>Foldaway Metal Carry Handle<br/>Detachable Shoulder Strap<br/><br/>Internal storage section features:<br/>(1) Vast Open Space<br/>(4) Internal Wingflap Pockets<br/>(8) Bottle Storage Pockets<br/>(2) Endcap/Side Pockets<br/>(2) Full-Width Slotted Pockets<br/>(2) Machine Hold Down Straps (Velcro)<br/><br/>The Rupes Embroidered BigFoot Big Bag Tool Case is internally IMMENSE. "For off-site polishing tasks, I've been known to utilize as many as FOUR of these beauties: Bag #1 is loaded with all of my electric polishers, spare parts & plates. Bag #2 is used to store all of my pneumatic tools, air hoses, couplers, and fittings. Bag #3 is used to store extension cords, portable lighting, and hand tools, etc. Bag #4 is used to store buffing pads and microfiber towels." KB<br/><br/>Specifications-<br/>Part number: 9.Z917/BF<br/>Dimensions: 23"L x 15"T x 13"W<br/>Weight: 10 pounds<br/><br/>*Note: When in upright position, carry handle adds 3-1/4" to height.<br/><br/>Features:<br/>Heavy Duty Waterproof Material<br/>Foldaway Metal Carry Handle<br/>Detachable Shoulder Strap<br/><br/>Internal storage section features:<br/>(1) Vast Open Space<br/>(4) Internal Wingflap Pockets<br/>(8) Bottle Storage Pockets<br/>(2) Endcap/Side Pockets<br/>(2) Full-Width Slotted Pockets<br/>(2) Machine Hold Down Straps (Velcro)<br/><br/>Rupes BigFoot Semi-Rigid Embroidered Duffle Bag.  (22"L x 12"W x 12"H) #9.Z871/BFRupes BigFoot Semi-Rigid Embroidered Duffle Bag.  (22"L x 12"W x 12"H) #9.Z871/BF
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A graceful dancer, with a powerful KICK.
Rupes LHR21ES LEGACY 6" BIGFOOT POLISHER.

Please click the accompanying images for in-depth information regarding all aspects pertaining to this machine.

The Rupes® LHR21ES BigFoot 6" Electric Random Orbital Polisher has left an indelible mark on the paint polishing scene.  For me, it was love at first second sight!  Allow me to explain.

While walking the aisles of the 2011 SEMA Show with my good friend Derek Bemiss, we meandered through a sea of car-related tools & goods.  Upon eye-balling a booth filled with sanding & polishing machines, Derek commented, "Nice looking stuff", and I agreed.  However, neither of us recognized the brand Rupes®, so we forged ahead.   I glanced over my shoulder as we strode past, and the number 21 caught my eye. To the average guy, 21 was just a number.  But to me, it represented something potentially huge.

I stopped, turned, and locked eyes with one of the fellows manning the booth. "Does that 21 mean twenty-one millimeter, as in 21 millimeter orbit diameter?" His response was a very brief but excited,  "Yes!" That man turned out to be Marco D'Inca, designer of the now legendary Rupes BigFoot machine. After some conversation and investigation,  Derek and I invited everyone we could think of to visit the Rupes booth, to share in our excitement.  Several months passed, but in the summer of 2012, I was the first to offer the Rupes line of products in the USA.

The LHR21ES BigFoot creates a 21mm diameter orbit.
Random orbital machines that use 5" to 6" discs and pads typically create small orbits, sometimes as small as only several millimeters in diameter. The Rupes LHR21ES creates a 21mm diameter orbit, which really gets pads, discs, and compounds movingNote: This machine is also available in a 5-inch, 15mm version: LHR15ES

Why is a large diameter stroke or orbit beneficial?
To better understand why a large stroke machine can deliver better and faster polishing results, imagine hand sanding a panel of wood with a typical sanding block & paper using very short 1mm back and forth strokes.  Although sanding would be concentrated and exact, most of the sanding debris would remain positioned between the sandpaper and wood panel.  Rapid clogging of the sandpaper would likely occur, effectively limiting cutting power and finishing potential.  

However, if the length of each sanding stroke was increased (within a similar time frame), the sandpaper would move along at a more rapid pace.  The increased speed of motion would assist in loosening any stuck-on debris from the sandpaper, all the while helping to eliminate sanding debris residing between the paper and wood surface. The exact same principles of extending the stroke apply when using the LHR21ES, except its motion is rotational (not linear), and we use buffing liquids (not sandpaper) to accomplish our work.

High speed + lots of motion = very fast polishing.
A majority of the buffing liquids available today utilize abrasive particles that are engineered to assist in polishing the surfaces we're working on.  To work efficiently, these particles must occasionally shift and tumble in order to keep them free of debris, minimize clumping of the abrasives, and slow contamination of the buffing pad.  The LHR21ES's large-diameter stroke (21mm) and high-speed capability (4,200 RPM) combine to deliver unrivaled performance in this regard, utterly stomping the performance mustered by other competitor's machines.

The LHR21ES BigFoot leaves surfaces beautifully polished & remarkably scour-free.
As I prepared to use a prototype LHR21ES at length for the first time, I was expecting everything from the machine. After all, I had spent untold hours writing an in-depth article entitled Machine Stroke - How It Affects Sanding and Polishing Performance (read the article here). Through the writing of the article, it became very clear that large stroke machines had a lot to offer in terms of cutting speed and finishing performance.  The LHR21ES BigFoot did not disappoint; its combination of adequate machine speed, ample backing plate rotaion, and smooth sweeping motions combined to deliver remarkable results. 

    Add a spare Velcro Backing Plate.   (save 30%)
Having a spare backing plate on hand is smart.  The Rupes 981.321N 6" Backing Plate is a direct replacement for the original. Note: purchase includes a free non-etched Washer Mod.

    Add a variety of Rupes Buffing Pads.   (save 30%)
You'll be ready to tackle just about any polishing task if you've got a set of Rupes® Buffing Pads on hand. Rupes Foam Pads have been specifically designed for use with large stroke, random orbital polishers (5 versions are available). Rupes Wool Pads deliver for a smooth & controlled feel (2 versions are available). Rupes Microfiber Pads deliver maximum cutting speed (2 versions are available).

    Add Rupes Buffing Liquids.   (save 30%)
A trio of buffing liquids to choose from. All-new formulas.

    Add a Flamethrower LED Light Kit.   (save 30%)
This handy light mounts directly onto your polishing machine. 

    Add a pair of Polished Stainless Steel Bolts.  
Replace the delicate factory supplied plastic bolts, with polished stainless steel bolts! Nicer looking, plus they allow for super-tightening of the head cap assembly.

    Add a Duflle Bag or Carrying Case. (save 30%)
Never run out of room when transporting your polishing tools & accessories! Rupes Embroidered Duffle Bags & Carrying Cases are quality built. Two to choose from: Semi-Rigid Duffle Bag | BIG BAG Tool Case

    Looking for a 5" version of this machine?  
Rupes LEGACY BigFoot LHR15ES 5" Random Orbital Polisher.

    Looking for a HOT ROD version of this machine?  
Rupes Mark 3 BigFoot LHR21lll 6" Random Orbital Polisher.

    Looking for a 3" companion to this machine?  
Rupes LHR75E BigFoot 3" Random Orbital Polisher.

    Note: A free, uninstalled Washer Mod is included with purchase.

This machine carries a one-year parts and labor warranty.
Rupes USA offers the industry's fairest, fastest, & finest repair service! Check it out here.