Flex 3401 vs. Festool RO 150FAQ anyone use both?

**gmblack3** · 05-05-2010, 10:19 PM

My festool seemed to be getting warm today. I was hammering down pretty hard correcting a black Escalade ESV using a tangerine pad with M105 via the KBM. I took the BP off and it appears the seal that holds the grease inside of the gears has failed. That area was covered with grease. None of the grease shows from the outside of the machine.

It appears that Festool pays shipping both way for the first year of repairs, then the customer pays shipping for years 2 and 3. Festool pays for return shipping.

**Tru_Shine** · 05-06-2010, 05:41 AM

uh oh? my flex kind of does that too? some of the gear oil gets out around the backing plate.

**Accumulator** · 05-06-2010, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

My festool seemed to be getting warm today. I was hammering down pretty hard correcting a black Escalade ESV using a tangerine pad with M105 via the KBM. I took the BP off and it appears the seal that holds the grease inside of the gears has failed. That area was covered with grease. None of the grease shows from the outside of the machine..

Ah, that sounds like the sort of thing I worry about with the Flex 3401s :think:

I always wonder if these machines are made to withstand significant applied pressure.

Originally Posted by Tru_Shine

uh oh? my flex kind of does that too? some of the gear oil gets out around the backing plate.

Did you lube the felt ring? Not just oil/etc. from that is it? It sounds like you`re talking about grease from elsewhere, and that`d make me nervous.

**Tru_Shine** · 05-06-2010, 12:34 PM

Back when I first got the Flex I lubed the Felt ring with some gear oil stuff, and it has been fine ever since, but here lately ive seen some of the grease comming out around the backing plate. this is what it looks like.

I swear I didn`t put that much oil in there, I dont know were its comming from though, I figured it was just excess oil that has thickend up on me? but I doesn`t give me any problems really. and It doesn`t splatter every where, So I just wipe it off and its good to go?

But I always see this red looking dust in the middle, I`m not sure if its were it gets so hot and burns or "Toasts" some of the compound or polish or somthing?

what do you guys think? I originally thought it was rust, but it never see`s any water or that much moisture?

**Accumulator** · 05-06-2010, 01:45 PM

Huh..maybe they over-lubed it a bit and heat thins it enough to make a mess. I`d still be wondering about it though :think:

That red staining probably *is* rust migrating around, carried by some of the excess lube or some other liquid like your polish.

I can`t help but wonder what Powerhouse would say if you sent it in for servicing.

**Tru_Shine** · 05-06-2010, 02:18 PM

Everything runs like it did when I first bought it, I just know that housing get REALLY HOT!!!! if you barley touch it, It will definitely burn a mark on you, and make you jump.

**gmblack3** · 05-06-2010, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

My festool seemed to be getting warm today. I was hammering down pretty hard correcting a black Escalade ESV using a tangerine pad with M105 via the KBM. I took the BP off and it appears the seal that holds the grease inside of the gears has failed. That area was covered with grease. None of the grease shows from the outside of the machine.

It appears that Festool pays shipping both way for the first year of repairs, then the customer pays shipping for years 2 and 3. Festool pays for return shipping.

Here are a few pics:

**gmblack3** · 05-07-2010, 09:01 AM

Called Festool this am. The gentleman I talked to was looking fwd to see what the service techs think. He does not recall any seal failures in the FEQ 150. I asked how long they will have it, he said the goal is a 2 day max turn around. Just waiting for the UPS label email from them.

**Accumulator** · 05-07-2010, 09:48 AM

gmblack3a- I hope they provide an explanation as well as a fix, and it`ll be interesting to see how things work out in the future.

Tru-Shine- Yeah, the housing does get hot. I`ve had a little trouble with that when I took off the plastic cover to fit the polisher into tight spots.

**gmblack3** · 05-14-2010, 06:34 AM

Festool received my FEQ 150 on Tuesday and it got shipped back to me on Thursday. I will have it on Monday. They replaced the seal. The gentleman I just got off the phone with says he does not recall seeing this happen in the past. Hopefully just a one time thing, time will tell.

**Accumulator** · 05-14-2010, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

..The gentleman I just got off the phone with says he does not recall seeing this happen in the past. Hopefully just a one time thing, time will tell.

Well, keep your fingers crossed! At least it sounds like you`re getting good service.