Lubricating the Felt Ring on the Flex 3401

Had pneumatic oil already on the shelf - lubed the ring last night but didn't saturate it. Per your instructions Mike, I placed several single drops along the perimeter and worked it into the felt; then wiped off the little bit of excess. Still feels dry to the touch but visually you can see that it's been lubricated. Good to go as far as I can tell. Test drive will be tomorrow morning - thanks for the tip.
 
The felt ring doesn't touch the backing plate nor anything else.

Why is the oiling needed?

Or, its only another gimmick in the game?!?

/
 
Danube said:
The felt ring doesn't touch the backing plate nor anything else.

Why is the oiling needed?

Or, its only another gimmick in the game?!?

/
Click to expand...
Why would you say that..it's not like AG or Flex is trying to sell you some expensive oil.
 
Danube said:
The felt ring doesn't touch the backing plate nor anything else.

Why is the oiling needed?

Or, its only another gimmick in the game?!?

/
Click to expand...
I just took apart the backing plate to the 3401 and I can see where the bp is touching the felt ring. Without the felt ring the plastic bp will rub on the metal housing. Without lube the felt ring would be rubbing the plastic dry and would create heat.
 
Both my 3401 felt rings do not touch the metal housing. This is with the stock BP. Even with pressure on the BP, it still does not touch.

To me, the felt ring blocks out dust from entering the housing.

If it did hit against the metal, then the felt ring would quickly be toast and you would have some serious marks on your backing plate as it grinds on the metal housing. My bp have no such marks.
 
SonOfOC said:
Both my 3401 felt rings do not touch the metal housing. This is with the stock BP. Even with pressure on the BP, it still does not touch.

To me, the felt ring blocks out dust from entering the housing.

If it did hit against the metal, then the felt ring would quickly be toast and you would have some serious marks on your backing plate as it grinds on the metal housing. My bp have no such marks.
Click to expand...
The felt ring does not touch the metal housing, it sits in the housing and it touches the plastic backing plate keeping the backing plate from touching the metal housing. I do agree about the felt ring keeping out dust from entering the housing.
 
Last edited:
Please read post #22.Mike recommends oil on the felt.
 
I would tend to use an oil that does not affect the material of the backing plate which I believe is plastic.

I'll be using a silicone based oil if I decide to oil the felt ring.
 
Johny B said:
Please read post #22.Mike recommends oil on the felt.
Click to expand...

I don't think so, that's not how I read it. Mike P was only showing you how if you wanted to. Mike Phillips and Bob Eichelberg from Flex says "No reason to lubricate the felt ring".

Please read

Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
At some point in time it is believed that some number of people had issues related to the Flex 3401.

Someone, not me, came up with the solution to lubricate the felt ring.

I spoke with Bob Eichelberg last week about this and he said there is no reason to lubricate the felt ring and no one needs to lubricate the felt ring.

My article was merely for the purposes of showing people how to do it if they chose to do it.

I've only lubricated one felt ring in my life and it's the one in the pictures. I've never lubricated any of the other Flex 3401 polishers in our garage and never had any problems.

We shot a brand new Flex video last week and we did "not" address or show this topic.


FWIW


:)
Click to expand...
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but a few years back the backing plates were burning because of the felt ring not being lubed.
 
I agree that there seems to be some confusion on this matter; however, it appears you can't do any harm to the Flex if you lube the felt ring so why not take that precaution? This is how I've resolved the matter for myself. YMMV
 
Danube said:
Or, its only another gimmick in the game?!?
Click to expand...

Huh? :dunno:



Rsurfer said:
I just took apart the backing plate to the 3401 and I can see where the bp is touching the felt ring. Without the felt ring the plastic bp will rub on the metal housing. Without lube the felt ring would be rubbing the plastic dry and would create heat.
Click to expand...

This is correct but I would note that the backing plate will only come into contact if a person is pushing down hard enough to bend the backing plate enough so that it comes into contact with the felt ring.

Here's the deal... a whole bunch of us do push down hard when doing major correction work and that is kind of what guys do... you know, push tools to their limit...



Note the part I formatted the text below... personal preference... I write very carefully, that is I pick each and every word I post to any forum very carefully and purposefully.


SonOfOC said:
I don't think so, that's not how I read it. Mike P was only showing you how if you wanted to.

Mike Phillips and Bob Eichelberg from Flex says "No reason to lubricate the felt ring".

Please read
Click to expand...

MinnBobber said:
don't know how to do a link--can someone give instructions, but here is where I saw it and
someone can do a link please.

Post was 3/29/11 by Top Banana titled "Oiling the Flex 3401 Felt Ring".
On page 3 of that thread, Mike responds on 4/19/2012:
...............................................................................................

Re: Oiling the Flex 3401 felt ring
At some point in time it is believed that some number of people had issues related to the Flex 3401.

Someone, not me, came up with the solution to lubricate the felt ring.

I spoke with Bob Eichelberg last week about this and he said there is no reason to lubricate the felt ring and no one needs to lubricate the felt ring.

My article was merely for the purposes of showing people how to do it if they chose to do it.
Click to expand...


There's really no need to take something very simple and make it very complicated. It can't hurt to add a few drops of a light lubricating oil to the felt ring to add lubrication in case you're ever pushing so hard against the tool, ESPECIALLY if applying pressure at an angle so only one portion of the face of the pad is being pushed on JUST IN CASE you push so hard that the plastic backing plate comes into contact with the felt ring.


I personally like the idea because I've seen guys lay into these tools and I might even do it once in a while too. It's simple to do and while it might not be needed it certainly doesn't hurt.


Make sense?


:dunno:
 
For those of you that want to lubricate the felt ring on your Flex 3401, here's a video that shows you how... starts at the 1:45 time mark...



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arn_kVH3BVc&hd=1&t=1m46s]In depth Look at the FLEX 3401 Polisher - YouTube[/video]




:dblthumb2:
 
Mike Phillips said:
I personally like the idea because I've seen guys lay into these tools and I might even do it once in a while too. It's simple to do and while it might not be needed it certainly doesn't hurt.
Click to expand...


I couldn't agree more with this Mike - once again the KISS Principle at work.
 
I picked up the Napa air tool lubricant. I have a Napa store only a few miles from me. Only $6, not bad at all. Just a quick question, how often should I be lubricating the felt ring? Is it before every use or periodically? Does the lubricant last awhile on the felt ring? Thanks!
 
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