3401 Slowing Down At Set Speed

[dlc95]

Yesterday I took delivery of a "new to me" Flex 3401.

I got a chance to play with it today, and as I operated it, the tool would lose a bit of power at whatever speed it was set.

If I disengaged the trigger lock, and re-engaged it, it would again start at the same speed, and then slow down again.

Just asking to see what the Autogeek council thinks could be the issue, or if any of you have experienced anything similar.

On another note, as fans of the 3401 can attest - I'm really happy to have the 3401 returned to the line up. I did too many large and production jobs last summer to be without it..

 

[Kamakaz1961]

I had the same issue and eventually it DIED! They are very easy to repair. I replaced my trigger switch. Apparently, that will wear out or break (in my case I have dropped my Flex about 4 times and did again about 2 weeks ago! Just call me HOMER...DOH)!

As for the brushes I still have the original ones and looks like I have a long way to go. It appears they will last longer than the mechanical parts. I bought brushes thinking they wore out...WRONG!

BUT BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, look at the cord as well as the extension cord. The cord could be lose in the DA. Make sure you are using a heavy gauge extension cord. I would look at that 1st! If that doesn't work MY GUESS the trigger switch is wearing out. As for parts...I can't remember where I got mine, I know AGO will have that information. The part is around $90 - $100. It's been a while since I fixed it. But I do recall they are very easy to repair.

IF I CAN FIX it I KNOW you can!...LOL

 

[B5visser]

powerhousetoolparts dot com is where I get all my flex parts. I like to stock up because shipping is a flat $10.95.

PN 320374 is the trigger switch. $29.80 and there is 40 left in stock.

I'd also consider the speed control unit- PN 292990. Unfortunately that little bugger is $87.85.

Good luck and best wishes getting that 3401 back up to snuff! I can't imagine not having mine after relying on it for so many jobs!

 

[dlc95]

Yep, It's the cord...

If it hits a certain position, it slows down. I'll have to take it apart and see if It's just loose, or of I need a new one.

Thanks, guys!

 

[Kamakaz1961]

powerhousetoolparts dot com is where I get all my flex parts. I like to stock up because shipping is a flat $10.95.

PN 320374 is the trigger switch. $29.80 and there is 40 left in stock.

I'd also consider the speed control unit- PN 292990. Unfortunately that little bugger is $87.85.

Good luck and best wishes getting that 3401 back up to snuff! I can't imagine not having mine after relying on it for so many jobs!

WOW! thank you for this! I did not know the part numbers and I forgot where I got my parts. Mine died about 3 years ago! Again thanks for this helpful information!

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Yep, It's the cord...

If it hits a certain position, it slows down. I'll have to take it apart and see if It's just loose, or of I need a new one.

Thanks, guys!

So cool to see it was only the cord (more than likely). Just tighten that baby up or replace it with another cord and looks like you are good to go! Please let us know if that was the fix when you fix the cord.

 

[dlc95]

So cool to see it was only the cord (more than likely). Just tighten that baby up or replace it with another cord and looks like you are good to go! Please let us know if that was the fix when you fix the cord.

Will do!

I left all my star bits at my better hall's place. I'll have to take it over there to get into it... I'll also have to explain the new purchase, but luckily it was only $180.00 shipped, with an extra LC 4" conversion plate for the Force pads! Shipping was $44.00.. I would say thatit was a good deal for a tool that will pay itself off in one job!

 

[dlc95]

powerhousetoolparts dot com is where I get all my flex parts. I like to stock up because shipping is a flat $10.95.

PN 320374 is the trigger switch. $29.80 and there is 40 left in stock.

I'd also consider the speed control unit- PN 292990. Unfortunately that little bugger is $87.85.

Good luck and best wishes getting that 3401 back up to snuff! I can't imagine not having mine after relying on it for so many jobs!

I agree with Kamakaz1961, thank you for providing those numbers!

 

[Aaryn NZ]

Will do!

I left all my star bits at my better hall's place. I'll have to take it over there to get into it... I'll also have to explain the new purchase, but luckily it was only $180.00 shipped, with an extra LC 4" conversion plate for the Force pads! Shipping was $44.00.. I would say thatit was a good deal for a tool that will pay itself off in one job!

:wow:

Geeze - Bargain much! Man thats a sharp deal, I reckon I'd struggle not to buy two at that price! Even converted to NZ dollars that still is unrealistically awesome. Feel for me here - for me to buy a Flex 3401 (I have three) & get it here to NZ (because nobody sells them domestically) on average I'm looking at fourteen hundred dollars a pop! That roughly works out to $1020,00 USD . . . . :awman:

Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:

 

[dlc95]

:wow:

Geeze - Bargain much! Man thats a sharp deal, I reckon I'd struggle not to buy two at that price! Even converted to NZ dollars that still is unrealistically awesome. Feel for me here - for me to buy a Flex 3401 (I have three) & get it here to NZ (because nobody sells them domestically) on average I'm looking at fourteen hundred dollars a pop! That roughly works out to $1020,00 USD . . . . :awman:

Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:

Ouch!

You must really like these tools!

My first one was brand new, open box for $220.00 off the bay in 2012.

 

[Aaryn NZ]

Ouch!

You must really like these tools!

My first one was brand new, open box for $220.00 off the bay in 2012.

Sure do. :buffing: I have one spare, one with standard backing plate & one that I switch between LC 4inch & the Flex 4.5inch plates. I rely on these tools in the shop, & like Mr Phillips says - "Quality doesn't cost you money, it makes you money" & I know with Flex tools I can depend on them. :xyxthumbs:

I guess its the price we have to pay for being on the road to nowhere & have such a small demand for these kinds of tools in a country with a population of 4.6 million.

Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:

 

[dlc95]

Sure do. :buffing: I have one spare, one with standard backing plate & one that I switch between LC 4inch & the Flex 4.5inch plates. I rely on these tools in the shop, & like Mr Phillips says - "Quality doesn't cost you money, it makes you money" & I know with Flex tools I can depend on them. :xyxthumbs:

I guess its the price we have to pay for being on the road to nowhere & have such a small demand for these kinds of tools in a country with a population of 4.6 million.

Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:

I believe in having a spare. Even with as good as the Rupes, and Flex tools are, nothing is failsafe.

Totally agree with Mike's statement.

To pay that price for those tools is real dedication to your craft though. For someone to make that much of an investment says a lot about their convictions. Props Aaryn!

 

[dlc95]

I never would have guessed those little Phillips head screws would have come loose.

A simple tightening, and the 3401 is purring like a tiger!

 

[PaulMys]

I never would have guessed those little Phillips head screws would have come loose.

A simple tightening, and the 3401 is purring like a tiger!

Anything on a machine like a polisher, I like to use Permatex Loctite on any fastener that has a chance to vibrate loose.

Be sure to use the blue (medium strength) and not the red (almost impossible to remove without heat).

 

[dlc95]

Anything on a machine like a polisher, I like to use Permatex Loctite on any fastener that has a chance to vibrate loose.

Be sure to use the blue (medium strength) and not the red (almost impossible to remove without heat).

Not a bad idea at all!

 

[PaulMys]

Not a bad idea at all!

:dblthumb2: