top banana
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- Jun 8, 2008
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How often should air tool oil be applied to the felt ring on the Flex 3401?
Oiling the Flex 3401 felt ring
- Thread starter top banana
- Start date
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
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I asked Bob Eichelberg about this for a online class video we made and he suggested a drop or two any time you change the backing plate.
We show the oil and how-to in this video,
Mike Phillips demonstrates how to remove swirls and scratches using the Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher
On this page, Autogeek's Online Classes
:xyxthumbs:
We show the oil and how-to in this video,
Mike Phillips demonstrates how to remove swirls and scratches using the Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher
On this page, Autogeek's Online Classes
:xyxthumbs:
Crazy Amos
New member
- Oct 20, 2010
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Should I add oil if I am removing the backing plate to clean out the gear housing or is the original oil still good?
Did he say which type of oil to use? I have heard air tool oil. Is that correct?
Did he say which type of oil to use? I have heard air tool oil. Is that correct?
top banana
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- Jun 8, 2008
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So Mike what you are saying,is that once I initially apply oil to the felt ring,it doesn't need it again unless I change to a new backing plate,due to wearing out the backing plate and/or switching to a smaller BP?
Crazy Amos
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- Oct 20, 2010
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Ill have to watch the video on my computer tonight. I didnt see where you stated "it shows the OIL" in the video.
top banana
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$14.99 to watch a video to find out how to apply oil to a felt ring??!!!!!
:wow:
:wow:
Harleyguy
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- Jan 6, 2009
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From what i was told you only need to oil it one time . A few years back they had a bad batch of Backing Plates that were actually melting from the heat that comes from there area of that felt ring . They corrected the problem but we all still place some light weight oil on the felt ring better safe then sorry .
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
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What "Bob" the President form FlexNorthAmerica.com is saying is that you can add a few drops when the tool is new and then add a few drops anythine you replace or switch to a different backing plate.
I don't think there's an "official" company recommendation on this maintence issue and if you choose you can lubricate the felt ring to your liking and schedule.
Lubricating the Felt Ring on the Flex 3401
I went to NAPA and purchased some Air Tool Lubricant, (see picture), but any light machine oil should work including the traditional 3-in-1 Oil.
Here's the felt ring on the Flex 3401
Here I've placed some oil on my finger ...
and then spread it onto the felt ring...
You can see the oil penetrate into the felt to lubricate it and from here it will migrate through the felt...
You could also place some drops around the felt ring and then spread it and work it in using your finger...
This brand new Flex 3401 is ready to go to work for a new project next week...
Crazy Amos
New member
- Oct 20, 2010
- 1,060
- 0
What "Bob" the President form FlexNorthAmerica.com is saying is that you can add a few drops when the tool is new and then add a few drops anythine you replace or switch to a different backing plate.
I don't think there's an "official" company recommendation on this maintence issue and if you choose you can lubricate the felt ring to your liking and schedule.
Lubricating the Felt Ring on the Flex 3401
I went to NAPA and purchased some Air Tool Lubricant, (see picture), but any light machine oil should work including the traditional 3-in-1 Oil.
Here's the felt ring on the Flex 3401
Here I've placed some oil on my finger ...
and then spread it onto the felt ring...
You can see the oil penetrate into the felt to lubricate it and from here it will migrate through the felt...
You could also place some drops around the felt ring and then spread it and work it in using your finger...
This brand new Flex 3401 is ready to go to work for a new project next week...
:xyxthumbs:
Excellent, thank you Mike.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 6
The video 30 minutes long, (the title states what the topic is), so showing how to lubricate the felt ring was just a minute or two in an effort to be thorough.
:laughing:
top banana
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- Jun 8, 2008
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Thanks for your help Mike.The pics and explanation were very helpful and cleared it up for me. :dblthumb2:
C. Charles Hahn
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- Aug 27, 2007
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Heh... I've never oiled my 3401 and it's seen some pretty heavy use. Guess I should pull the BP off and see what kind of shape it's in 
Harleyguy
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If it hasn't failed on you yet it should be fine . Since your going to remove the BP might as well hit it with a couple drops of light weight oil .Heh... I've never oiled my 3401 and it's seen some pretty heavy use. Guess I should pull the BP off and see what kind of shape it's in
C. Charles Hahn
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- Aug 27, 2007
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True enough... I guarantee it would have failed by now if it was going to. :laughing:
gatoman39
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- Apr 29, 2011
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probably not a good idea. Motor oil has detergents in it, not to mention a host of other additives and chemicals, that will do god only knows to the felt. Stick to a light machine oil. It's like 4 dollars on a 300 dollar tool, worth it.
gatoman39
New member
- Apr 29, 2011
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early versions had issue with heat melting the backing plate. Although this has since been addressed, people still oil the felt as a preventative measure.