Sign in 1-866-474-3739

Close

 

Tag Archive: Flex-5

1. FLEX-5 Durability and Maintenance Tips!

   June 24, 2021 11:38 am Leave a Comment

   It’s always a cool feeling walking around an assembly line or installation station and seeing your parts or tools being put to good use.

   But it’s even sweeter when you see an old tool of yours still being used by the assemblers and it’s still humming. On a recent trip to a construction, military and heavy duty truck fabricator to check out the assembly line, we came across one of our first, possibly THE first, FLEX-5 rivet nut tool we’ve ever sold – and it’s still in use!

   Check out this photo of this first generation FLEX-5 that’s used to install Sherex Rivet Nut Studs. Based on the serial number, this was probably delivered in the second half of 2009. Almost 12 years old and still installing rivet nut studs today. COOL!

   

   Possibly the first FLEX-5 delivered to a customer in late 2009

   Now, this particular user does have a new FLEX-5 that they are using on the line, but “Ol’ Reliable” is still humming too.

   When these images were shared with our Engineering Technician, Mike, who services a lot of our tools, he was quite impressed.

   “These older FLEX-5’s hold up really well with just some basic care.” Mike said. “But even knowing that, it’s cool seeing one still out in the wild.”

   Mike has FLEX-5 serial No. 1 on his desk, which is a keepsake at Sherex Headquarters for now.

   

   FLEX-5 Serial No. 1, from probably late 2008 – early 2009

   Easy FLEX-5 Maintenance Tips!

   Basic care of hydro-pnuematic rivet nut tools is really important to their durability. Here are a few easy steps to take to ensure a long-lasting tool like the ones above.

   • If the air supply is not equipped with lubricator before use, squeeze a few drops of light lubricating oil on the tool air inlet.
   • High friction locations, such as spindle housing, should be re-greased with a high speed, high temperature grease.
   • Every 500,000 cycles the tool should be completely checked and parts that are worn or damaged should be replaced.
   • O-rings should be replaced and lubricated with Molykote® 55M grease or equivalent before assembly.

   Please contact Sherex to order replacement o-rings and lubricant. Remember, if having any issues with your tool, contact Sherex.

2. FLEX-5: Pull to Pressure or Pull to Stroke?

   April 26, 2021 4:26 pm Leave a Comment

   When installing rivet nuts using a Sherex FLEX-5 hydro-pneumatic tool, you have a decision to make on what kind of tool you want. Do you want a tool that offers a pull to stroke? Or do you want a tool that offers pull to pressure when installing rivet nuts.

   Sherex has both FLEX-5P (pull to pressure) and FLEX-5S (pull to stroke) tools available and ready for delivery. But before you place your order, let’s go over the tool and the advantages of pull-to-pressure and pull-to-stroke.

   Both Pull-to-Pressure and Pull-to-Stroke tools can install just about any style of rivet nut from sizes #4-40 to 3/18-16 (M3 – M10), and can be used for both low volume and high volume installations, including on an assembly line.

   

   FLEX-5P – Pull to Pressure

   The FLEX-5P Pull to Pressure tool is a great, all around tool that can be used to install a variety of different products into different thickness material. With a single stage trigger the tool is easy to use and if you know the proper pressure of the part being installed in your specific material, then you are all set. Use the Sherex Hand Tool Calibration Unit to find out the exact pulling force of your tool and begin your installations.

   The FLEX-5P has a pulling force upwards of 5,000 lbs.

   FLEX-5S Pull to Stroke

   The Sherex FLEX-5S, Pull to Stroke rivet nut tool gives a precise install to an exact material thickness. It can install rivet nuts at a set length and is better suited when the installation has limited backside clearance. The tool offers 7mm of available stroke.

   So if you’re installing a very high volume of rivet nuts into the same material thickness, the perfection of the pull-to-stroke tool may be ideal over a pull-to-pressure tool.

   Pull to stroke tool is also best utilized when installing into soft or brittle materials.

   

   Conclusion

   In terms of performance, both tools are extremely durable and can install the same rivet nuts. But the biggest question to answer when deciding between the FLEX-5P or FLEX-5S, do you need the flexibility in installing rivet nuts by pressure, or will this tool be used for a specific material thickness and installed length for a project’s needs?

   If you need help on deciding on what tool to purchase, contact us and a member of our engineering team will point you in the right direction.