Hi guys, hope someone can help me to repair my drop weight machine. The 1st and 2nd pictures show the linear string gripper. There is no way to adjust the gap of the gripper as that black hole is not for allen key. The only thing I can think off is to adjust the screws that hold the gripper as on the 2nd pictures but it won't work as well as the gap is limited by the center piece which connect to the drum for the rod. Currently I am using the business card trick so that it can grip the badminton string. In the 3rd picture, you see the back of the drum and it's obvious that I have broke the extruded screw which is used to stop the rod to overturn:crying:. I don't think there is a way to repair this but any advice is welcome. In the 4th picture, the arrow show the screw at the other side which is used to resist the rod to overturn via the extruded screw on the drum. But the extruded screw is now flatten and the rod can overturn and hit the turn table . In the 5th picture, the arrow show the screws which used to stop the rod to overturn either clockwise or counter clockwise but it seems useless now. The only thing that can stop the rod to overturn is the rachet as shown in the 6th picture. Finally, I want to ask what is these springs for? It come with the tools. Many thanks and any comments is welcome.
I think the next time around, you should purchase a crank machine. ... Seriously, just leave it as is, don't keep trying to fix it as you may damage it even more or beyond use. That would suck.
Elwin81, The linear string gripper is not adjustble. It must be something on the way. Push the gripper all the way, when it stop closing, check what make it stop. Case 1, the rod of the gripper may insert too deep into the drum, the gripper touch the drum. Case 2, the guide of the gripper too long (the black hole). Case 3, the springs that maintein open the gripper are too tall. Case 4, the gripper must be defect (the canal too deep or the ball too small or the the center piece too wide or missing some ball). Regarding the broken extruded screw, just unscrew it, get one from your local hardware store. Just make sure the new has 3 to 4 mm longer. That two springs, you did not say what size they are. I think, is for gripper.
Haha, you are right should get a crack machine when I have more money. I have ruined my machine after having it for less than a month . My mum said I am good in destroying things since I am a kid . I think will just leave it until someone know how to fix it. Thanks Alex, the spring is 3cm long and 0.75cm in diameter. It is too big for the gripper. I can't think of where to use this. It is not for the swivel base clamp and suspension side support.......... As for the gripper, I pushed it all the way until it hit the drum. There are still a small gap when the gripper in contact with the drum (when not using the business card trick). I have check the rod of the gripper, it is the furthest I can secure from the drum. If the guide of the gripper is too long, I think it is hard for me to replace it. This apply to the springs which open the gripper as well as you need to be very experience to change this. I am not sure if the ball is too small but it is 7 balls at each side. It sounds very difficult to repair it. I think I will just leave it as long as I can still use it. Thanks anyway.
Adding to that Alexccs said, if you're confident about your mechanical skills, try taking the gripper mechanism apart, clean them up, relube them lightly and put them back together. The reason I say this is because they look rusty and dirty in the pictures. That may contribute to the malfunction. FWIW.
OK Elwin81, The problem of your machine is the rod of the gripper is too short. The gripper sure not touch the drum. It's easy way to fix. Just reduce the lower corner of the gripper witch get contact with the drum by 1 to 2 mm will be fine (like your picture #2).
To answer about the springs question, I think they are tension springs for the crank machine. I don't own or use a crank machine so I'm not entirely sure but that would be my guess. Only problem I see is that they are very small in lengths and could be for something else than tension springs.
Elwin, sorry if this is slightly off topic, but if your machine is only a month old, doesn't it have a warranty? I would expect most machines to come with at least 1 year's warranty, many have much longer. Stringing machines tend to be fairly simple and robust as machines go.
I will take the gripper mechanism apart when I have time and will let you know how I get on. It looks dirty because of the grease but not rusty. Sorry, I am not quite sure what you are saying. Lower which corner of the gripper as in? The gripper just slice and it is fixed at that height, how can I lower it? It's alright, thanks for the guess but I will just leave it until I know what it is for.
What you mean by side arm support? You mean the rod? Yes, my machine is just less than 2 months old. But do you think they will repair this to me? If I am going to send it back, it is a hassle as well with the heavy machine. I just hope I can fix it myself with help from you guys.
regarding the springs, what sort of clamps do you have? Fixed or Flying? Side arm support: 2-point suspension has two supports for the racquet at 12 and 6 o'clock. When you have more than 2-point suspension for the racquet, the extra points are on arms that support the racquet at (approx) 10, 2, 4, 8 o'clock. The arms are adjustable. Some arms have springs on them as well as screw thread (maybe all do, I don't know) As you have 2 springs I would guess they are for use with fixed clamps.
Hi Neil, I am using 2 fixed clamps on the machine which is fixed to the swivel clamp base. My machine is a challenger 1 and it is a 6 point machine. The knob on the arm is used to adjust the it with the thread but I didn't see any coil springs . I think it is hidden inside the nut or bolt. There are spring on the leg (can't find a better word) of fixed clamp where it will fit into the swivel clamp base. But that spring is too large and it is definately not the size of the spring as shown in the last pic. Yes, that is the mounting arm for my machine. Some people called this suspension side support. Am I right?
I have posted this link a while ago on how to repair/replace spring on drop wt. machine... http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34265 Hope this will help u out.
sorry, post in the wrong thread just now. thank you. I tried that before and some of the link is not working. I am not replacing the spring in the drum. But would also like to know how to replace the string in the ratchet.
