Flex 3401 Running Hot?

Josh@BR

Josh@BR

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I just bought my flex a couple weeks ago and I've done about 10 different cars with it. I just recently noticed with the last suv I did that the round metal part of the 3401 that's located next to backing plate was extremely hot. The performance of the flex was no different but I couldn't even touch this metal part it was so hot. Is this normal when using the 3401 for a long period of time? It could have done this from the beginning and I just didn't notice it till now. I haven't oiled the ring yet in it either which I plan to do soon. Also what kind of warranty do I get with this thing if any? Thank you for any help!
 
Josh@BR said:
I just bought my flex a couple weeks ago and I've done about 10 different cars with it. I just recently noticed with the last suv I did that the round metal part of the 3401 that's located next to backing plate was extremely hot. The performance of the flex was no different but I couldn't even touch this metal part it was so hot. Is this normal when using the 3401 for a long period of time? It could have done this from the beginning and I just didn't notice it till now. I haven't oiled the ring yet in it either which I plan to do soon. Also what kind of warranty do I get with this thing if any? Thank you for any help!
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Josh,

Mine gets warm but no where near hot.

I would also shoot this information directly to one of the customer reps at Autogeek in the even none of them see it here.
 
Josh@BR said:
I just bought my flex a couple weeks ago and I've done about 10 different cars with it. I just recently noticed with the last suv I did that the round metal part of the 3401 that's located next to backing plate was extremely hot. The performance of the flex was no different but I couldn't even touch this metal part it was so hot. Is this normal when using the 3401 for a long period of time? It could have done this from the beginning and I just didn't notice it till now. I haven't oiled the ring yet in it either which I plan to do soon. Also what kind of warranty do I get with this thing if any? Thank you for any help!
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Running hot is a complaint I've heard several times before with this machine. You might try wearing a glove

I believe it only has the standard 1 year warranty
 
When they first came out, I got one from Powerhouse dist. and used it for a couple of years probably before it locked up. I pretty much put that thing through the paces doing a lot of correction work. It was repaired free of charge, not sure I remember all they did, but replaced several parts and I was very impressed they stood behind it like that. As far as running hot, after correcting a few panels, that thing gets really hot, that was before the repair and even now, hot enough it burns your hands! I think that's normal.
 
How long do the plastic gears that force the rotation generally last (gear in the housing that the backing plate meshes with)? I'm guessing the backing plate gear outlasts the rest of the backing plate?

I'm pretty sure the 3401 is going to be my next polisher down the road.

I suppose the extra heat probably comes from the friction of these gears in the housing which looks to be very tightly sealed by the backing plate compared to typical DA buffers. Just an idea, but it looks like the counterweight would really move some air around in that bell housing; perhaps flex just needs to introduce some vents in a revised model.

Thanks,

Joel
 
When you guys are talking hot, hot hot do you mean?

I just did a car last weekend and used it for at least 2 hours straight. I did notice that the got very warm, but no where near hot enough to burn my hands....I don't wear gloves when I use it either...
 
Thanks for the help everyone! I think it would be normal considering the amount of time the machine ran for along with a decent amount of pressure I was using. The pad was pretty warm itself but I didn't imagine a piece could get that hot. My PC never had anything like this happen. But I am very happy with this da so far. The correction capabilities blow my PC out of the water which is why I purchased it in the first place.
 
Bobby, I didn't mean so hot that I would get burned but still hot enough that I wouldn't want to put my hand on it for more than a second or two or else it hurts. On second thought I don't think it would literally burn me but I could be wrong. I didn't try it long enough to find out lol
 
Josh@BR said:
Bobby, I didn't mean so hot that I would get burned but still hot enough that I wouldn't want to put my hand on it for more than a second or two or else it hurts. On second thought I don't think it would literally burn me but I could be wrong. I didn't try it long enough to find out lol
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Hey Josh,

I was referring to Tom Weed's post where he said it burns his hands.

I think I'll wear gloves just in case!! :laughing:
 
BobbyG said:
Hey Josh,

I was referring to Tom Weed's post where he said it burns his hands.

I think I'll wear gloves just in case!! :laughing:
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I guess I should define burn... If my hands are touching the metal as Josh stated, for more than a second or two, it hurts, like touching a black car in the sun... not like taking your skin off or anything... maybe sometime I should get it hot and take a temp reading???
 
There is a recomendation, I believe it is endorced by Flex, to remove the backing plate and remove the felt "O-Ring". Soak the "O-Ring" in 3-in 1 oil, lightly wipe it down using a cloth. Replace the "O-Ring" and the backing plate. This helps reduce the drag on the backing plate and heat built up. Give it a try and see if this helps.
 
Tom Weed said:
I guess I should define burn... If my hands are touching the metal as Josh stated, for more than a second or two, it hurts, like touching a black car in the sun... not like taking your skin off or anything... maybe sometime I should get it hot and take a temp reading???
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I don't think we need an actual temperature reading.

After understanding what you guys are calling hot I think mine is probably in the ballpark but I just don't remember it getting that hot. I think the plastic shroud is supposed to insulate the user from the heat and it's also vented.

I also lubricate the felt ring with a light grease.. Maybe this helps..

Flex 3401

Flex3401.jpg
 
I think alot of it has to do with the individual. If you work in an office all day, and your hands are baby soft, then your probally gonna feel a burn

Hope no one takes this statement the wrong way. I'm not calling you a sissy :bolt:
 
BobbyG said:
I don't think we need an actual temperature reading.

After understanding what you guys are calling hot I think mine is probably in the ballpark but I just don't remember it getting that hot. I think the plastic shroud is supposed to insulate the user from the heat and it's also vented.

I also lubricate the felt ring with a light grease.. Maybe this helps..

Flex 3401

Flex3401.jpg
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Bobby, I took the plastic handle at the end off of mine, cause sometimes I use a side handle, and I will put pressure one end of the machine sometimes and if you touch the metal housing connecting the backing plate when the machine is working gets rather toasty... Sorry, I didn't mean to mislead anyone thinking this thing was going to cause a hospital visit, but it does get much warmer than my rotaries...
 
Flash Gordon said:
I think alot of it has to do with the individual. If you work in an office all day, and your hands are baby soft, then your probally gonna feel a burn

Hope no one takes this statement the wrong way. I'm not calling you a sissy :bolt:
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LOL,
Flash, you have me pegged!!! I do in fact have an office job all day unless I venture out on campus...
 
Tom Weed said:
Bobby, I took the plastic handle at the end off of mine, cause sometimes I use a side handle, and I will put pressure one end of the machine sometimes and if you touch the metal housing connecting the backing plate when the machine is working gets rather toasty... Sorry, I didn't mean to mislead anyone thinking this thing was going to cause a hospital visit, but it does get much warmer than my rotaries...
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Tom,

No, not at all. This is really good information!

I was trying to determine why I wasn't seeing the heat many of you have been experiencing. I had no doubt that everyone was being as accurate as possible but with that plastic piece removed it appears to expose some hot spots!!

This makes allot of sense now...

Thanks Tom!!
 
The first Flex vgr 3401 I received got so hot the backing plate broke off. I have a new one which has been good so far but it does get very hot.
 
I'm experiencing the same heat that Tom has. About as hot as a black cars paint in the sun. If you slide your hand a little too close to the metal shroud, your reflexes kick in and pull your hand away automatically. I was actually doing a 30' camper the other day and by the time i got down one side of the camper (not taking too many breaks, about 1.5 hours) the machine shut down on me. It came back up about 1 minute later, but only ran for another 10 seconds before shutting down again. I had to pull out my PC in order to finish that side. After prepping the other side (30 minutes) the flex was ready to go again and didn't shut down on that entire side. All they really need to do is put a heat sink on there instead of a solid metal shroud and I think that would help A LOT. I can just imagine this machine not lasting that long if it is getting that close to thermal shutdown so often. Especially for the price of this machine!!!!!!!!
 
I was just debating on purchasing this machine with these heat issues I am having second thoughts.
 
I see some of you guys have a red/black/red body flex. The one I just got is black/red and thought that the r/b/r was the 230 v. model? Whats the scoop with that?

AND glad I found this particular Flex forum.

Is the standard LCC pads what most of you use? What about the wooled backers for micro? Is there one better than another?

Thanx
 
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