Flex Problems, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[blkyukon]

Originally Posted by ZoranC

Kind of design for mating between backing plate and post that Flex uses will allow for some "play" no matter how hard you tighten that screw if offset pressure is used. Check it out.

Still, even with such design it took me decent bit of pressure to make them touch.

Yes, there is a small amount of play in the backing plate, and if the hex screw is tight, it does take some pressure for the backing plate to touch the machine....but if the screw is loose the backing plate does have more play and if pressure is applied will cause it to rub.

Flex was announced over a year ago but it was not released over a year ago. I do not know exact date when they started shipping in Europe.

Thanks, I remember hearing about it but wasn't sure.

My question is the same, is this a newer unit or older unit with the original backing plate issues ???

I'm not sure that would make a difference...the back side of both backing plates are the same except for the diameter (6" and 5.5")

[ZoranC]

Allow me to further think loud (and it is meant as a constructive thinking, it is not meant to be in any way misunderstood or misinterpreted as negative in any way):

I speculate it is too much off center pressure that brings backing plate and housing to touch and that logical response to that would be to say not to use the tool in the manner that it is not designed for.

However, Flex might want to realize that what differentiates great tool design from "just" good one is that great design is proactive and it prevents that from happening.

I speculate this might be easily addressable by increasing distance between backing plate and housing (say by increasing height of geared part of backing plate 1/8" at maximum, or grinding down the housing a little bit, or both; but not thinning down backing plate as that would just make it flex more; LOL, no pun was intended).

Another approach could be taken (but much less easily) by reducing "looseness" by say making contact area between bp and center post wider (wider the area less wiggly T-like contact with single center screw can be) and/or by making metal part in bp thicker so that any variance in manufacturing of that thickness and screw length does not result in screw bottoming out before everything is tight enough.

Just a constructive thought and I hope Flex engineers and powers to be see this and consider it.

In the meantime I will continue using my Flex while paying attention not to use it in incorrect manner even though advantage of that handle (great positioning that allows you to easily apply pressure) is what can also be it's disadvantage (such handles allow for gobs of pressure to end up applied unevenly, as hand is not above the head, it is offset).

If I ever end up experiencing this problem myself I might move position of handle so hand is above the head when pressure is applied. And I might consider finding good CNC place to grind down my housing a bit (while fully aware what that implies).

But not until then.

[POPPAJ]

[Excessive Detail]

Well I took my Flex apart yesterday and really couldn't find anything wrong with it, I couldn't see were the plastic came off either, the smell is gone, which I figured would happen. I checked all the screws and made sure they were tight, put it back together and tried it again, no problems, I guess I was just putting to much pressure, which I probably didn't need, the Flex itself seems to be enough weight. Overall this experience still doesn't change the fact that this thing is awesome and I wouldn't trade in for anything, its just new to the market so its bound to have a few initial flaws, just take it easy when you guyz get yours.

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by Excessive Detail

Well I took my Flex apart yesterday and really couldn't find anything wrong with it, I couldn't see were the plastic came off either ...

Did you check that thin white teflon-like ring on housing itself?

Originally Posted by Excessive Detail

... I guess I was just putting to much pressure, which I probably didn't need, the Flex itself seems to be enough weight.

Flex can take the pressure without problem, but it should not be off-center and uneven and too much. How much is too much? I do not know, I did not measure it when I was trying as I do not have scale (those depression inducing ***tards do not belong in my home) but my wild guess is in excess of 20lbs when off-center. So my wild guess is that it should be able to take 15-20lbs when on center no problem, and that should be sufficient for any work.

Originally Posted by Excessive Detail

... its just new to the market so its bound to have a few initial flaws ...

If it is user's error then it is not a product flaw. Product flaw is when product itself is having an issue.

[Dieseldan]

I had this SAME problem polishing a vette there was the dust, smell and then the small piece of plastic that fell off.

I was applying pressure tho maybe i need to rethink my process now I am using the flex

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by Dieseldan

I had this SAME problem polishing a vette there was the dust, smell and then the small piece of plastic that fell off.

I was applying pressure tho maybe i need to rethink my process now I am using the flex

Could you please identify area where those pieces came from and take close up pictures of it?

[Excessive Detail]

I didn't notice the telfon ring, I'll have to take a closer look at it when I get back on land next week, I don't think I exceeded any pressure ranges and I'm pretty sure I wasn't off center or anything like that, I have a few cars waiting on me when I get back so I can play with it a little more.

Originally Posted by ZoranC

Did you check that thin white teflon-like ring on housing itself?


Flex can take the pressure without problem, but it should not be off-center and uneven and too much. How much is too much? I do not know, I did not measure it when I was trying as I do not have scale (those depression inducing ***tards do not belong in my home) but my wild guess is in excess of 20lbs when off-center. So my wild guess is that it should be able to take 15-20lbs when on center no problem, and that should be sufficient for any work.


If it is user's error then it is not a product flaw. Product flaw is when product itself is having an issue.

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by Excessive Detail

... I'll have to take a closer look at it when I get back on land next week ...

Thank you in advance! I am really curious where they are coming from.

[conan777]

I had the same problem. I was working on a panel when all of a sudden I saw dust and smelled burning and nearly had a heart attack thinking I had just burned through the paint on an Aston Martin. I was applying pressure but nothing crazy. The pad was pretty flat but in all fairness maybe slightly angled due to the panel configuration? Tried tightening the nut after reading this and another post. We'll see if this solves the problem? I did not have any plastic piece come off of mine though and it still works fine.