FLEX 3401 on its way out

**Whitewater25** · 02-19-2017, 10:46 AM

X2 on changing the brushes. Done it on several power tools that started acting like you describe yours is doing. Good as new afterwards. Maybe they will make a brushless polisher one day like a lot of other tools are now.

**Kamakaz1961** · 02-19-2017, 02:16 PM

Just an FYI I use and abuse my 3401 and the trigger went out. My brush/bushings are still fine. But if it were me just replace both the brushes and trigger. Or do the process of elimination. I bought the bushings/Brushes (the 2 parts that are supposed to wear whatever they are called LOL) and it wasn't those. It was the trigger. They are really easy to replace or fix by yourself. But IMO no need to get a new DA just repair it. If at all else fails (doubtful) then think about a new DA.

**dlc95** · 02-19-2017, 06:31 PM

I almost had a heart attack reading the thread title!

**BrianT** · 02-21-2017, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by dlc95

I almost had a heart attack reading the thread title!

x2, I literally just received a new FLEX 3401 and saw the title and said, "just my luck" after waiting a few years to upgrade the PC.

**PaulMys** · 02-21-2017, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Kamakaz1961

Just an FYI I use and abuse my 3401 and the trigger went out. My brush/bushings are still fine. But if it were me just replace both the brushes and trigger. Or do the process of elimination. I bought the bushings/Brushes (the 2 parts that are supposed to wear whatever they are called LOL) and it wasn't those. It was the trigger. They are really easy to replace or fix by yourself. But IMO no need to get a new DA just repair it. If at all else fails (doubtful) then think about a new DA.

Yeah, but while you're in there.........

That'd be like removing the distributor cap & only replacing the rotor. JMO.

**richy** · 02-22-2017, 10:44 PM

I'm pissed off that Flex is withholding the new XCE until 2018!! I wanted one in the Spring.

**Whitewater25** · 02-22-2017, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by richy

I'm pissed off that Flex is withholding the new XCE until 2018!! I wanted one in the Spring.

Last I heard was summer of 17,By the time they release it,I will be too old to use the darn thing.

**ironmongoose** · 11-10-2017, 10:59 PM

I would not even know how to replace the brushes if my 3401 went out. I'm new to all this

**kkritsilas** · 11-11-2017, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by richy

I'm pissed off that Flex is withholding the new XCE until 2018!! I wanted one in the Spring.

Would you rather Flex released a 3401 replacement that has issues? Flex has shown off XCE Prototypes the last couple of years, so you know they are working on it. Look what happened with the first release of the XFE: reliability and heat issues with the polisher to the extent that it had to be pulled from the market, and then re-released later with improved ventilation, and reliability.

My only wish is that the XCE, when released, uses a compatible backing plate system to the 3401, which will ensure that 3401 backing plates can be used with with it, and that there is a long term supply of backing plates for the 3401 (because there are a ton of them out there).