Modify Flex Backing Plate

cjbigcog · 10-20-09, 06:02

I'm considering trimming down the foam part of my BP to make it 5" in dia. Has anyone already done this?

bufferbarry · 10-20-09, 07:13

I wouldn't recomend it. Thats a forced Rotation gear driven machine! why not just get the edge adapter and use there pad? Also if you would do it and the cut is off centered it will mess with the throw in the rotation. If you do do it let us know how it works out for ya.
Barry

BigAl3 · 10-20-09, 07:31

Customized FLEX in Action

Accumulator · 10-21-09, 09:42

I was gonna have a pal of mine (whose shop has the right tools, I wouldn't want to do it free-hand) cut/turn a Flex 3401 pad down for use with 4" pads. I decided not to do it because some of the plate that I'd be cutting away is where it's visibly thicker/reinforced. Seemed like I'd weaken it a lot, perhaps enough that it could lead to a serious "uh-oh!".

I do think you should be able to cut it down a *bit* as in that linked thread. Just eyeball the plate and you should be able to see what seems OK to cut away and what doesn't. We gave it a fair amount of consideration before deciding to just skip it.

Taking it down to 5" should work OK if you do it cleanly (i.e., with a lathe, at the right speed with the right cutter).

cjbigcog · 10-21-09, 06:32

It looks like the BP in the video is one of the original ones that had problems with the velcro coming loose. That BP is 5 7/8 in dia. Here's what I have:

I'll post a photo as soon as I finish trimming the foam. The idea behind all this is to be able to use 5 1/2 pads without worry.

Street5927 · 10-21-09, 07:24

I would concur with Barry...if your cut is not exact, it could throw the balance off...let us know how you make out.

Accumulator · 10-22-09, 09:58

Note how cjbigcog cut it back to the concentric step; done with a little care it oughta be possible to avoid balance/etc. issues. That's the way I'd do mine if I wanted to use slightly smaller pads.

cjbigcog · 10-22-09, 06:21

Actually, I haven't trimmed it yet. The photo shows the old "original" early BP on the right. Note that the old one has no foam. On the left is a replacement that Powerhouse Tools sent me. As soon as I get some new blades for my X-Acto knife I'll finish the job.

Accumulator · 10-23-09, 06:11

Ah, now I see...my mistake. Looks like the new one just needs its foam trimmed down, and you oughta be able to do that via Xacto.

cjbigcog · 10-28-09, 06:31

Finished product:

What I thought was some sort of foam on the BP was in fact a rubber like material. Very hard to cut through...just had to keep going around and around with the X-Acto knife.

Accumulator · 10-29-09, 08:55

Looks like it turned out well though.