Squashed filters

I have a LL 3900 that keeps squashing the filter when I tighten it down. I can feel it stop short of the full tightening. Continuing to tighten it just collapses it. Have any of you had this issue?

dried paint at the bottom of the filter housing???

If I am not mistaken there should be a plastic insert that stops the mesh from collapsing in the filter housing. Please correct if I am wrong

for a 3500 you are correct. different filter style in the 3900 although it does have a plastic center piece. it should not "crush" unless something under it is keeping it from seating properly.

Interesting because I have seen the same style type of filter in a 3900 before but I guess they rigged a 3500 filter housing in it's place.

there are different models of the 3900 and they use different filters. I have the 111 model and two 1v models and they are different. I have had the same problem with one of my 1v models doing the same thing, the other one never has a problem. the 1 and 11 models I think were different as well. My old 3500 has the best filter of any of them.

the 3500 do have the best filter design imo. mine has a metal insert, I threw the plastic one out the window years ago. LOL