82Whitey51 Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I love Flex-I-Files, they are one of the best tools available for knocking out seams on an aircraft fuselage, weapons and drop tanks and I've been using them for however long they've been on the market. Lately though, the last few batches that I've bought, it seems that the quality has diminished. The grit comes off after just a few swipes and I've had a few that the ends have just come undone. These two examples are from this morning, nothing vigorous going on here, just cleaning up the seams on a set of Kh-58 missiles...the medium grit (brown) went "SPROIINNNGG!!!" after just two passes and the fine (gray) is bare after barely making it through these four missiles. I haven't had these issues with the extra fine (red) ones or the coarse grit (black) files, those hold up just fine. Am I the only one running into this issue with Flex-I-Files?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Nope and I have never heard of Flex-I-File till now and I want it! Where can I get it lol? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I have had the same issues here. I am lucky to get one sitting at the bench done before the sanding band either snaps or the sanding surface is ineffective. They used to last much longer then that. The thing is its a great tool! Its just getting frustrating...and a little expensive...going through so many sanding bands. As an aside, I am kind of surprised that no other company hasn't come along with a similar tool (to my knowledge at least). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 Nope and I have never heard of Flex-I-File till now and I want it! Where can I get it lol? Here's a quick on line source. Most hobby shops carry them as well. http://www.micromark.com/SearchResult.aspx?deptIdFilter=0&searchPhrase=flex+i+files Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thorsten Wieking Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Although my current bands are at least 2-3 years old, I habe the feeling that they changed to glue for the grit. My first set worked great doing wet sanding, the band bought a few years ago lost their grit the moment the got in contact with water. Cheers Thorsten Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I have one, and there are times when I find it useful, but it's not my go-to. Haven't gotten bands in a while, so I haven't yet had the opportunity to see this problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liberator24 Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 This has got to be a new thing. My old ones from 5 years ago are working 100%, but the ones I bought last week at the LHS, did indeed fall apart and the grit comes off after one job on a drop tank..... Anyone reached out to Micro Mark? Not a bad company to deal with ever... -Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I've noticed that the grit wears off much more quickly now than ever before. I used to be able to keep the bands on for months, and now I'm changing them at the end of practically every session. My sense is that it's their business model now: it's a useful product so they know we'll keep buying sanding bands...and they want us to buy more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dann Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 that happened to me. i sent them emails regarding trying ti get replacement strips but nobidy replied. quality control needed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I've had a few bad batches recently were the bands would snap off. My current ones have held up ok, except for the disappearing grit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
longmc Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I picked up some replacements recently at my LHS. Not only did this happen, but many had at least one side completely glued closed. Another issue is the sanding material does not last much longer than one part (i.e. one fuel tank). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Scaremonger Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 i sent them emails regarding trying ti get replacement strips but nobidy replied. Same here; were it not for the ends coming undone, which I fixed by stapling both ends with a mini stapler, I sent three or four emails to complain about the bands losing their grit in a blink of an eye...! No replies ever since a month or so. I resorted to cutting my own bands out of sandpaper and fixing them to the frame by stapling. Think we ought to do something about it; I don't know, make the company's inbox full with complaints. It's really infuriating. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MacStingy Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 (edited) I've been using these for years, but I'm using a purchase from 5-6 years back. I cut them in half as I find a thinner width more useful and I get twice the number of strips ( refer to my user name ). BTW I've had a few let go at one end but A drop of Superglue fixes that. Edited April 23, 2016 by MacStingy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plasticWerks_JL Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 I've been using these for years, but I'm using a purchase from 5-6 years back. I cut them in half as I find a thinner width more useful and I get twice the number of strips ( refer to my user name ). BTW I've had a few let go at one end but A drop of Superglue fixes that. Can't speak to the issue at hand, but let's talk stingy ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dmanton300 Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 (edited) I've been making my own bands for my flex-i-file for ages now. Just cut wet&dry to length, fold ends over and apply a dab of CA, press folded over portion home and away you go. They may not last as long as the actual ones do (or used to by the look of that!) but at pennies each, a new one is seconds away! Edited April 24, 2016 by Dmanton300 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoFo Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 (edited) Can't speak to the issue at hand, but let's talk stingy :thumbsup:/>/>... You used a cable tie? LUXURY! :D Edited April 24, 2016 by MoFo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 You used a cable tie? LUXURY! :D/> Monty Python - Four Yorkshiremen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breadneck Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Yes, for christs sake, after you buy the tool, just make your own bands like Dmanton300 does Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plasticWerks_JL Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 (edited) You used a cable tie? LUXURY! :D Haha, it needs to be cheap, but it also has to work, so I went a little crazy. I've been making my own bands for my flex-i-file for ages now. Just cut wet&dry to length, fold ends over and apply a dab of CA, press folded over portion home and away you go. They may not last as long as the actual ones do (or used to by the look of that!) but at pennies each, a new one is seconds away! ....and now I can save on strips too, thanks for the tip Dmanton Edited April 24, 2016 by plasticWerks_JL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
balls47 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Hey 82Whitey51, I have had a Flex-I-File for several years. I also bought some extra packets(some grit more than others) of the bands. K & S Metals of Chicago, IL sells sheets(approximately 4" & 5") of different grits. These sheets are very similar to the material that Flex-I-File uses for their Flex-I-File unit. Since the Flex-I-File is not my "go-to" tool for sanding rounded items, I have yet to need to try the K & S sheets as replacements for the Flex-I-File bands. I have quite a few of the original bands that I bought several years ago and have had to problems like those listed in this "Flex-I-File Rant." Good Luck!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 I have one, and there are times when I find it useful, but it's not my go-to. Since the Flex-I-File is not my "go-to" tool for sanding rounded items What are your "go-to" tools? http://www.micromark...se=flex+i+files Anyone reached out to Micro Mark? Not a bad company to deal with ever... I haven't done business with Micro-Mark since they pirated some of the products brands they sold. There are other places to get the Flex-I-File including Creations Unlimited: http://www.flex-i-file.com/flex-i-file.php While there, I picked up a second Touch-n-Flow applicator and saw some new tools. LifeColor paints are also nice. Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dmanton300 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Short video showing how to make your own:- You're welcome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkmouth Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 You're welcome! Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoFo Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Short video showing how to make your own:- You're welcome! :thumbsup:/> 8:09? Seriously? That's, like, at LEAST 7:30 longer than it needs to be. :P (frankly, as someone who's been doing this since I got my first Flexifile, I'm a little dismayed that it needs a video at all!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooter Man Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 I don't know it this will help but several years back I started to staple both ends of the strips - the staples are at the outter ends so I've never had them interfere with my sanding efforts...AND....since I've been doing this I've never had any problems with them coming "unglued" like you mentioned. Good luck! Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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