Flex shaft grinder maintenance

[RainbowsParticipant @rainbows]

Now a proud owner of a Wolf flex shaft grinder

It has two speeds 11,500 and 1200 RPM. The motor has a gearbox inside and to switch speeds you unscrew the flex shaft off one output and onto the other. However both the flex shaft and the plug that covers the output not in use and stuck on tight. I don't want to use pliers for damaging the nice knurling but putting cloth between the pliers and nut doesn't give enough grip. Any ideas how to get it free without marring it?

Also should I be lubricating the flex shaft itself? If so what should I use?

More dumb questions probably yet to come

[RainbowsParticipant @rainbows]

[Peter TuckerParticipant @petertucker86088]

Hi Rainbows,

It wouldn't be a left hand thread?

Peter.

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

I wouldn’t have thought it would be left hand thread but worth a try.
Molybdenum grease for the shaft and oil for the headpiece is what I use.
Best regards Mick

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Firstly, apply a bit of WD40 or Plus Gas and let it soak in. Then bore a hole in a piece of wood the same diameter as the knurled nut, then split the wood into two – effectively making a set of curved safe jaws to go around the nut. Pop it in a vice , or a G clamp, and carefully turn, trying both directions in case it is LH.

Of course, one of the nuts might get in the way of the other so it might be a bit fiddly.

Regards,

Rob

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Rainbows on 06/03/2018 17:55:52:

… I don't want to use pliers for damaging the nice knurling but putting cloth between the pliers and nut doesn't give enough grip. Any ideas how to get it free without marring it?

.

Curved-jaw 'Mole Grips' lined with soft copper strip.

MichaelG.

.

I picked-up a few of these cheaply at a car-boot sale … they are ideal material

https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/Easytrim-Easy-Fix-Copper-Slate-Strap-100-Pk/p/530334

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/03/2018 19:30:08

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

My Aldi mini bench grinder ( usual disclaimer ) has a flexible shaft attachment & that is definitely a left hand thread, so the odds are…

​George.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

I'd say LH thread, if you have a peruse of these two links

Link-1

Link-2

Nice find by the way

Bill

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Wrap a thick bit of leather around it (bit of an old belt), use a large pair of Polygrip/Channel Lock pipe pliiers.

Ian S C

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