Flex 3401 Circumcised Backing Plate

[gewb]

At long last, as promised, I cut down a Flex 3401 backing plate to fit a 5.5 inch pad and gave it a trial run.

I should have done this when I first got my Flex - what a difference!

While I have never had problems using / controlling the Flex with 6.5" pads, using the smaller 5.5" was much easier - well balanced and controlled, reduced vibration, gets into smaller areas, and the pads are less expensive. There is a small (1/8 to 1/4") shoulder left around the pad and with just a little care posed no problems with running up to a body transition.

It is almost like using a different tool with all the benefits of the Flex. Now what do I do with all of my 6.5" pads?

5.5" Pad on backing plate before circumcision (pad just fits on plate)










The "operation"





5.5" plate and mounted pad






If you are in the Denver area and would lilke to try this circumcised backing (through August of this year), just PM me and we'll make arrangements. I have the following 5.5" pads:

Yellow CCS
White Flat
Red CCS
Black CCS
Tangerine Hydro
Cyan Hydro

Regards,
GEWB

[ScottB]

very interesting ... no additional wobble ??? I cannot believe with all the Flex's being sold nobody has come to the plate with multiple sized backing plate.

[gewb]

very interesting ... no additional wobble ??? I cannot believe with all the Flex's being sold nobody has come to the plate with multiple sized backing plate.

No, all wobble is gone even at a 5.5 setting.

Regards,
GEWB

[Jenn1270]

You are just the mohel of the detailing world....Mazel tov

[CEE DOG]

You are just the mohel of the detailing world....Mazel tov

[gewb]

You are just the mohel of the detailing world....Mazel tov

That's what the rabbi said...

Regards,
GEWB

[VISITOR]

here's something similiar someone else did as well...
Customized FLEX in Action

[BobbyG]

Necessity is the mother of invention!

Nice work!!

[gewb]

here's something similiar someone else did as well...
Customized FLEX in Action

I thought about using a lathe to cut the plate down a little more but 5.5" pad is the smallest the Flex can accept (due to housing size and stroke length). So I opted for this method first. If there was a problem with interference when meeting a body transition (needing more pad shoulder to avaoid damage) I would then cut the plate down on a lathe - but so far it's not a problem.

Regards,
GEWB

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Very cool!

Any particular reason why you did this? The Flex 3401 has *more than enough power* to spin 6.5" pads unlike non-forced rotation DA's(even the newer ones).

EDIT: I went back and read your post and it answered all my questions. Doh!

How did you cut the circle so straight?