Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

[drculinarian]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I just got a Flex, what kind of oil? Nothing was mentioned in the instruction manual. I actually read these things.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I just got a Flex, what kind of oil? Nothing was mentioned in the instruction manual. I actually read these things.

I used All-in-One oil. It isn't in the manual, but it is the recommended fix in some sort of service bulletin they released. There was extensive talk about this problem on another forum.

I personally had a backing plate fail and almost ruin a hood I was working on... they ended up sending me a replacement for free.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I was under the impression that these machines were bullet proof? Mark, can you please PM me with some instructions for start up? I do better with pictures

[imacarnut]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I was under the impression that these machines were bullet proof?

They are, it's just a pre-maintenance step to help prevent any problems. You know what they say, better safe than sorry...

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

What about this pressure thing? You can't apply pressure when working out defects?

[Tom Weed]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I used mine with 151 and purple foamed wool pad last weekend on a very scratched and swirled up white buick LeSabre, the paint was pretty hard and the scratches weren't coming out easily. I used the new pad priming method and since the paint was so hard, I was running it on 6 and applying quite a bit of pressure on the first couple of passes. I wouldn't suggest running it on high or putting that kind of pressure on it when you first start out until you figure it out and get the feel of it. With softer or thin paint, yea, it would think you could do some damage doing that, it will remove paint... It's going to feel weird or different when you fist start using it, but like anything else, you get the hang of it.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

What about this pressure thing? You can't apply pressure when working out defects?

I definitely would NOT until you add the oil and spacer that I mentioned in the PM I sent you. The spacer (a basic washer) will keep the two parts that originally would make contact from doing so. I have had no issues since I modified mine.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I definitely would NOT until you add the oil and spacer that I mentioned in the PM I sent you. The spacer (a basic washer) will keep the two parts that originally would make contact from doing so. I have had no issues since I modified mine.

Mark,

Can you please post the info about the oiling of the felt spacer (?) so that anyone considering the Flex is aware of what you are discussing...

Thanks!

Tim

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

Mark,

Can you please post the info about the oiling of the felt spacer (?) so that anyone considering the Flex is aware of what you are discussing...

Thanks!

Tim

With pictures

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

With pictures

Of course, is there any other way???

Tim

[yalerd]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I've never had any problems with my Flex and I've never modded anything, then again, I've never put too much pressure or used it to remove severe defects, that's why I have my rotary

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

Mark,

Can you please post the info about the oiling of the felt spacer (?) so that anyone considering the Flex is aware of what you are discussing...

Thanks!

Tim

Sure Tim,

I actually didn't post it at first because I was still digging for the official thread that showed how to do this on another forum.

But since you guys asked so nicely ( ) I went out and re-serviced mine and took some pictures.

You want to start by gathering the required materials: All-in-One Oil (Or a comparable lubricating oil), and the appropriate Allen wrench (The FLEX supplies a chrome looking one, which I didn't use in these pictures), and of course the FLEX 3401 itself

Here are the supplies:




Then you want to start by loosening the center bolt in the middle of the back plate:


What you pull out will look like this:


Keep in mind however, I have ALREADY added an extra washer (Note the washer on the nut, and the washer still resting in the center of the backing plate)

Now with the second washer removed...



NOW you begin the oil application, like so:
Locate the felt ring (It is white)


Now apply a single bead of oil around the entire ring


After applying the oil, gently rub your finger around the ring to spread it out. You do not want to apply too much oil or it might splatter while the machine operates. Only a thing layer is necessary.

Now you take the backing plate, and place it back onto the centering mechanism


Now is where you will ADD in a SECOND washer to keep the backing plate further away from the critical contact points. I simply used a galvanized washer that I had sitting around.


Re-tighten the bolt


And enjoy!

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

Great job Mark!!!

And I really liked the photos (Nick needs the photos )

Quick question, why did you add the extra washer?

Tim

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

Great job Mark!!!

And I really liked the photos (Nick needs the photos )

Quick question, why did you add the extra washer?

Tim

Thanks, and we all know Nick needs the implicit directions

The extra washer was added because the original problem is that when applying ample pressure on the machine (often needed) it would slightly flex (ironic, I know) and that is what caused the backing plate to make contact with the housing, which in turn would shred the backing plate, eventually causing chunks of plastic to come flying out and the entire backing plate would fail.

The washer "pushes" the backing plate that extra millimeter away from the housing, and thus gives it the clearance it needs to avoid the catastrophic failure.

I personally had a backing plate shred and nearly rip in half while working on a client's car- since adding the washer, a new backing plate, and the oil to the felt I have not had any issues (although, I admittedly have been using my Makita and G110 much more than the FLEX).

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

Yeah, the way you have that washer placed, it does nothing for the backing plate. Only thing that does is move the head of the bolt out farther, and less threads fastening the bolt In order to move the backing plate out farther, you would need the washer UNDER the backing plate

I need more pictures to better explain this