Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

Oh, and nice PJ's by the way

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I'm waiting Mark???????

[Markus Kleis]

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

You know what, you're right. I followed the original thread on how to do mine, and didn't even stop to think about it.

**Nick and I just discussed this, and we concluded that there is no way to add a true spacer, but we do think the larger washer might help to increase the area of force from the bolt onto the backing plate, which might in turn reduce unwanted flexing issues.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

You know what, you're right. I followed the original thread on how to do mine, and didn't even stop to think about it.

**Nick and I just discussed this, and we concluded that there is no way to add a true spacer, but we do think the larger washer might help to increase the area of force from the bolt onto the backing plate, which might in turn reduce unwanted flexing issues.

Yeah...that was kind of why I was asking as I did not see what the washer would do...

But even you did place a washer between the mounting point and the backing plate, I wonder if that extra 2 mm would cause too much flex and stress the bolt and or mounting point?

An analogy would be using new wheels but with the wrong off-set on a vehicle. That usually increases wear dramatically on steering components. So I wonder if this would be a good idea to use a washer anyway? Maybe a nylon one that can be crushed under load...

Tim

[Tom Weed]

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.

So sorry, I misinterpreted the question...

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

If you use the washer under the backing plate, then it will lift the backing plate higher. This in turn would prevent it from fully seating on it's mounting position on the center hub. If you notice, the center hub is not circular, it's more of a key. So if you raise it above that hub(key hole), you could possibly damage the unit or hurt the performance of it.

BTW, this is just my $0.02. I have not seen the machine yet, I'm just going off of pictures. My machine will be arriving on Tuesday, and I'll dig into it then.

Nick

[Tom Weed]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

Word of warning, if you use the origional Softbuff pads on this machine, it will ruin them. the backing plate on the machine sticks out further than the velco on the pads, thus digging into the foam.

Ask Rasky...

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

All these problems with the backing plate make me regret my decision to buy one

[imacarnut]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

All these problems with the backing plate make me regret my decision to buy one

There probably have been thousands sold with just a few minor problems, i wouldn't worry about it. It's no different than the G110 when some of them had issues. With any power tool these days, there will be problems here and there...

[Tom Weed]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I've had mine for quite a while with no problems at all, the pad issue is the only problem I have.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

There probably have been thousands sold with just a few minor problems, i wouldn't worry about it. It's no different than the G110 when some of them had issues. With any power tool these days, there will be problems here and there...

There were actually a large number of people with the backing plate issue who posted on "the other site." But, like I said since oiling mine, and using a larger washer (which Nick and I decided spreads the pressure, maybe, lol) I have not had ANY contact. I checked my backing plate and it is 100% smooth.

[imacarnut]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

There were actually a large number of people with the backing plate issue who posted on "the other site." But, like I said since oiling mine, and using a larger washer (which Nick and I decided spreads the pressure, maybe, lol) I have not had ANY contact. I checked my backing plate and it is 100% smooth.

The percentage of problems with the backing plate as opposed to the number of Flex's sold i bet, is a very small %. pre-maintenance is always a smart idea and good idea.

[drculinarian]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I had a chance to talk to a Flex representative at the Florida show. The idea behind oiling the felt ring was to lubricate that area in case of overheating which would bind that ring. He stated there should not be any washer or spacer, the problem was only a heat issue. Oiling that ring should solve the problem which usually only showed up running the tool on 1 or 6 for long lengths of time. On 1 because the low speed didn't effect enough cooling and 6 because of too much heat developed.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

I had a chance to talk to a Flex representative at the Florida show. The idea behind oiling the felt ring was to lubricate that area in case of overheating which would bind that ring. He stated there should not be any washer or spacer, the problem was only a heat issue. Oiling that ring should solve the problem which usually only showed up running the tool on 1 or 6 for long lengths of time. On 1 because the low speed didn't effect enough cooling and 6 because of too much heat developed.

Good to know, thanks!

[yalerd]

Re: Any Flex users in the Dallas area?

All these problems with the backing plate make me regret my decision to buy one

Don't
I haven't done anything to mine and it's working perfectly!