Flex 3401 died :(

[Dr Oldz]

Bad news. My 3401 died on me yesterday mid detail. :(




So I have owned this machine for about 10 years or so. I would say I have averaged about 20 hours a week on it since I got it. That’s a lot of hours on one money making machine and it owes me nothing. The only thing I have done to the machine is replace maybe 5 backing plates since the hook part (of the hook and loop) is a wear item and is expected to wear out after time and use.

Now the good news....... I replaced the brushes(that I had sitting as spare for 6 or so years), cleaned up the internals and.....BANG. BACK TO WORKING LIKE NEW!!!!!!

Flex builds solid machines and mine has been used and abused. For anyone considering a Flex, let this be testimony of how durable they are.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

German engineering.

Good to hear you are back in shape. Thanks for sharing your experience. You have gotten a good bit of use out of it on the original brushes.

Wonder when FLEX will incorporate brushless motors?

[Bill D]

For those of us who aren’t handy, can we send a unit back to Flex for such service?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

For those of us who aren’t handy, can we send a unit back to Flex for such service?

AFAIK, Powerhouse Distributing is the authorized repair facility.

[Dr Oldz]

For those of us who aren’t handy, can we send a unit back to Flex for such service?


It truly was easy. But I believe Flex does have designated repair centers to do such task. Perhaps the Flex North America web site has this info of where exactly.

[Dr Oldz]

AFAIK, Powerhouse Distributing is the authorized repair facility.


Sounds right. I believe that is where I ordered the brushes from years ago.

[Mike Phillips]

Flex builds solid machines and mine has been used and abused. For anyone considering a Flex, let this be testimony of how durable they are.





Totally agree.

If fact, you simply don't see threads like this or posts like this anywhere in the social media world about a FLEX tool breaking. The brushes wear out, that's normal but the tools are built like tanks.

You also rarely if ever see anyone selling their FLEX tools. And when you do, wait a little while and the person who sold their FLEX tool will be back asking if anyone has a FLEX tool to sell as they find out - they made a mistake.


Thanks for sharing Jim.


:)

[Paul A.]

Mine went down and Power House repaired it good as new. The Beast is truly a beast for me.

[dcjredline]

Ohhhhh good!!! Im so glad it was easily repaired cause I was thinking I was gonna open this thread to all the Rupes birds saying "I told ya so"

[Kamakaz1961]

Way cool to see it back and running! I actually bought a couple of the carbon brushes as I thought I needed them. I have dropped my Flex on NUMEROUS occasions to where I broke the trigger on it. I still abuse it because of Stupidity! HOWEVER, I try to be much more careful! I did learn something new after owning it a few years. A 12 Gauge extension cord (Heavy Gauge) makes the Flex run better (at least IMO). But way cool story!

KEEP ON ROCKING!