Flex fail

Theo_Auto_Fines

Theo_Auto_Fines

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Seeing as the Flex 3401 VRG had a lot of good reviews I decided to purchase one and retire my other DA polishers. Last weekend after opening the box I decided to use this polisher on my customers car just to apply the wax. As I was working on the hood the backing plate decided that it wanted to fly away and left a pretty sizeable dent on the 2013 Lexus that I was working on. Sad to say that it left a $2400 damage that I had to pay out of pocket. Now as far as Quality Control whoever shipped it or manufactured it perhaps should have tested the machine before being shipped out.
 
Yikes! Guess all new Flex owners should be checking the Allen-head bolt that holds the backing plate on to make sure it's tight before using it for the first time.
 
wow, considering its a professional machine, you really should have gone through the backing plate fastener before using. You would think its just common knowledge to do so. Although its tough to really blame you for not doing so. FLEX should just ship the machine with the backing plate not installed to avoid stuff like this. yikes !!!

There is no doubt the first thing I do before installing a pad is actually either remove the backing plate and re-install (if the polisher is new) or tighten the fastener and give the machine a once over. Am I OCD or does everyone else do the same thing with a new tool ? If you just remove from the box, plug in and go to town, please post if so .. I think this is an interesting topic.
 
I've been using my GG 6' RO for over 2 yrs and never tightened anything but its a good idea due to this thread...O M G ......TWENTY FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS! This also ties into the thread about having insurance when detailing !

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First thing to do is check to make sure the washer is in place and the bolt is torqued to German specs. "Guut n tight".
 
smack said:
First thing to do is check to make sure the washer is in place and the bolt is torqued to German specs. "Guut n tight".
Click to expand...

How many newton-meters is that, and is that anything like "Hans-ing" it down??
 
smack said:
First thing to do is check to make sure the washer is in place and the bolt is torqued to German specs. "Guut n tight".
Click to expand...

Guut idea!

You never know if it was at the factory or someone opened the box later to do something with it unless it was still sealed.
 
While it is good procedure to check before using, I'd put this completely on FLEX. It's like dealership selling a car before checking all the lugnuts.
 
FivePoint.0 said:
While it is good procedure to check before using, I'd put this completely on FLEX. It's like dealership selling a car before checking all the lugnuts.
Click to expand...

Agreed!

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I'm not sure I would blame this on Flex. There are warnings all over about reading the manual before use. According to page 15 of the manual:

Before using the machine, check that
the installed tools have been secured
according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.

Before using the polisher, check that the
polishing tools have been installed and
attached correctly. Switch on the
machine at no load for 30 seconds!
Click to expand...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/Download/FLEX_XC3401VRGmanual.pdf

While unfortunate that it happened, they have pretty much covered this sort of mishap.
 
mg6045 said:
There is no doubt the first thing I do before installing a pad is actually either remove the backing plate and re-install (if the polisher is new) or tighten the fastener and give the machine a once over. Am I OCD or does everyone else do the same thing with a new tool ? If you just remove from the box, plug in and go to town, please post if so .. I think this is an interesting topic.
Click to expand...

When I got my Flex I did just that to get some oil on the felt washer; also to get a glimpse of whatever was underneath. I figure if I am using it I might as well get a little intimate with it.
 
Every power tool states to read the manual before using but seriously, does everyone do it for everything they buy?

I bought a new angle grinder the other day. I have been using one for years & not to sound arrogant but I know for a fact that reading the manual will teach me nothing, so I didn't read it.
I see the OP has previous experience with a DA so I can definitely see how this sort of thing happens...

Fair enough, Flex have possibly covered themselves against this but, to me at least, this is still poor quality control.
As someone else mentioned, if that is the case they should sell the item with the backing plate removed.
 

Who doesn't check to make sure their tools are in proper working order before using them?

Just because the backing plate is "attached" when it is shipped doesn't mean it's ready for use...


 
TroyScherer said:

Who doesn't check to make sure their tools are in proper working order before using them?

Just because the backing plate is "attached" when it is shipped doesn't mean it's ready for use...
Click to expand...

+1.

Why is it that people are so quick to throw someone or something under the bus rather than just owning up to their own mistake???
 
I regret that you had this accident; and hindsight is always 20/20;
but if only you had performed the following procedure...
I'm sure we would not have heard of this unfortunate-happenstance of yours.

Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Lubricating the Felt Ring on the Flex 3401


Here's the felt ring on the Flex 3401
Oiling3401Flex01.jpg
Click to expand...

mwoolfso said:
When I got my Flex I did just that to get some oil on the felt washer;
Click to expand...

Perhaps this oiling-procedure could also serve as a:
"backing-plate awareness program"...for the current, and future, Flex 3401 owners.

:)

Bob
 
i just ordered an xc3401 and i cannot for the life of me imagine why someone would take a $350 tool and not at the very least glancing at the owners manual and looking it over before using it....if you bought a porsche gt3 rs would you take it to the track right away? or would you take some time to get to know the machine and know how it works before you take it to a race? OP should take responsibilty for his mistake and learn from it, not blame the manufacturer for his oversight.
 
At the very least you need to check your tools. Using it on a customer's car before using on your own, just to make sure it's working properly is worth the time.

Also, insurance can save your......


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all I can say is ouch ! when I got my flex , first thing I did was remove Bp and lube the felt ring . now that info may not be in manual ? but it was recommended by many of members . still should check bp's often
enough throughout usage and especially at first use . lucky this was not a circular saw or like and that blade went flying . yikes! sorry to say its all on you though . live and learn . s$$t happens .
 
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