shadybreal
12-16-2007, 04:25 PM
Customized FLEX in Action!!!
I was fortunate enough to be able to get my FLEX while there were still some in the U.S. However I did get it w/ the old red backing plate. It works very well w/ the LC CCS 6.5 pads, but I prefer something a little smaller while trying to correct. I’m still waiting on my new plate, but I too impatient so I got a buddy of mine to help w/ some backing plate trimming. He does a lot of custom motorcycle work and car restoration, so I figured he could help. I asked him about using a jig saw to trim off about †off the edge and he just laughed. He then proceeded to show me a lathe. It’s a tool that spins an object, and allows you to precisely cut around the edge of something. I should have took pictures, but I didn’t have my camera. Sorry! The lathe worked wonderfully. I was dying to use the FLEX w/ the new trimmed plate, so I took it in the garage for a quick trial test. I was amazed at how the smaller pad increases the speed. I started on speed 2 which felt like at least 4 w/ the larger pads. Speed six really really moves! The only problem I had was I think when we cut around the edge we removed a lot of glue which caused the Velcro to come loose. To fix this problem I took the plate off the machine and rubbed on some concrete outside to roughen it up a little. I then used Gorilla glue to put a small bead all around the plate. Next I place the Velcro back on the plate and set it down on the garage floor w/ two 50 pound weights on top. After an hour I gave it another go, and it seems to be fine. Here are a few pictures and short video.
PICTURES:
Pads used: LC low pro white and orange, LC CCS blue, and small black waffle
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/flex001.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/flex002.jpg
FLEX w/ LC orange low pro: notice the amount of overlap.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/flex003.jpg
VIDEO: I was using SIP on speed 1 to spread, then moved up to 4, followed by six just to let you hear the speed, and then finally back to 4. I hope this helps you owners and potential owners.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/th_flex004.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/?action=view¤t=flex004.flv)
I was fortunate enough to be able to get my FLEX while there were still some in the U.S. However I did get it w/ the old red backing plate. It works very well w/ the LC CCS 6.5 pads, but I prefer something a little smaller while trying to correct. I’m still waiting on my new plate, but I too impatient so I got a buddy of mine to help w/ some backing plate trimming. He does a lot of custom motorcycle work and car restoration, so I figured he could help. I asked him about using a jig saw to trim off about †off the edge and he just laughed. He then proceeded to show me a lathe. It’s a tool that spins an object, and allows you to precisely cut around the edge of something. I should have took pictures, but I didn’t have my camera. Sorry! The lathe worked wonderfully. I was dying to use the FLEX w/ the new trimmed plate, so I took it in the garage for a quick trial test. I was amazed at how the smaller pad increases the speed. I started on speed 2 which felt like at least 4 w/ the larger pads. Speed six really really moves! The only problem I had was I think when we cut around the edge we removed a lot of glue which caused the Velcro to come loose. To fix this problem I took the plate off the machine and rubbed on some concrete outside to roughen it up a little. I then used Gorilla glue to put a small bead all around the plate. Next I place the Velcro back on the plate and set it down on the garage floor w/ two 50 pound weights on top. After an hour I gave it another go, and it seems to be fine. Here are a few pictures and short video.
PICTURES:
Pads used: LC low pro white and orange, LC CCS blue, and small black waffle
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/flex001.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/flex002.jpg
FLEX w/ LC orange low pro: notice the amount of overlap.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/flex003.jpg
VIDEO: I was using SIP on speed 1 to spread, then moved up to 4, followed by six just to let you hear the speed, and then finally back to 4. I hope this helps you owners and potential owners.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/th_flex004.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/shadybreal/?action=view¤t=flex004.flv)