Phoenix Series

Trouble Shooting Instructions

Model M-1

Most Common Malfunctions

1. Not Cutting

A. Check and clean blades EM4-1K, replace if dull
B. Check for worn or broken spring M4-8
C. Check stationary shear adjustment

2. Not Feeding

A. Check yoke spring adjustment M4-4
B. Check gear assembly M5-1 for missing or flattened teeth
C. Check feed handle pawls (missing)
D. Check EM4-1K for accumulated grease or tape resins and clean
E. Check set screw on upper feed wheel M3-3
F. Check EM3-1 for binding (replace)

3. Jamming

A. Check main gear M5-1 for flattened or missing teeth. Replace.
B. Check M3-2 for bending (lower tape plate)
C. Check for bent EM4-5 shaft
D. Check EM3-1 for binding
E. Check for missing water brush M2-3

GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS

Tape Feed Problems

  • When pulling handle, feed wheel not gripping tape securely. Cause, incorrect adjustment of set screw on Cutter Yoke Assembly, M7-2.  See Cutter Yoke adjustment.

Tape Jams

  • Shear Blade, EM4-1K, doesn't lift up before tape feed. See Cutter Yoke and Shear adjustment.
  • Tape is being pinched by Pressure Plate due to worn moistening brushes.
  • Upper Tape Plate, EM3-1, missing or not in correct position.
  • Insufficient space between Pivot Rod, EM4-5 and Lower Tape Plate, M3-2.

Cutting Problems

  • Shear Blades have accumulated asphalt or non-asphaltic gum. Clean with suitable solvent.
  • Check Stationary Shear, EM4-1K, for correct lateral adjustment. See lateral shear adjustment.
  • Blades dull EM4-1K need replacing.
  • Check spring assembly, M4-4 replace if needed.

Handle Doesn't Move Freely.

  • Caused by worn M3-4, Shaft & Pinion Assembly which needs replacing. M5-1, Main Gear Assembly needs replacing.

Cutter Yoke and Movable Shear Blade Adjustment

This adjustment is made necessary when the lower idler assembly, M7-1, "backs down" causing the feed wheels to slip on the tape.  Full rolls of tape will enhance the problem at times causing a "skeeting" noise.

On the rear end of the Cutter Yoke Assembly, M7-2, is a set screw which controls the height of the lower feed wheel and moving shear at the time the feed wheel initially grips the tape. This set screw can be seen by looking through the large hole in the vertical tie plate in the front of the basket section of the machine.

To check for the proper adjustment, raise the top cover, pull the handle slightly forward and watch as the feed wheels come together.  The moveable cutter blade should clear the stationary blade by 2/32" at the end of the slant just as the feed wheels touch.

If it has been found that the moving blade was too low, turn the set screw counter clockwise several turns and recheck the position. If the moving blade is too high, turn the set screw clockwise until the correct position is reached. After the adjustment has been made, the Cutter Yoke Assembly should be lifted to be sure that after the Feed Wheels start to grip the tape it can be raised still further against increased resistance.

Try dispensing tape. If the tape is catching on the corner of the shear and jamming, turning up the left hand corner of the tape or the tape is slipping under the feed wheels, the adjustment was not correctly made.  It is also important to make sure the knurling on the feed wheels is still there.  If the feed wheel is found to be "smooth" replacement is necessary.

Tool needed: 1 - LN-23 Hex Screw Driver 3/32

Shear Adjustment

This adjustment is made at the factory and it should not be necessary to change it unless difficulty is encountered in cutting tape.

Lift the front cover and look directly on the moving and Stationary Shear Blades. When the operating crank is back against its stop the two shear blades should only be a contacting one another on the right side. There should be a gap between the blades at the left side, and the gap should decrease in width until the point contact is reached on the right side. Ordinarily this gap is about 1/32 of an inch on the left side. At no time should the shear blades be parallel.

If it becomes necessary to readjust the shear blades proceed as follows:

a. Locate the shear adjusting screw on right side of the machine just in back of tank. (This screw has a washer under it.)
b. Loosen screw only slightly so it can be slid up or down.
c. It is desired to increase the gap slide the adjusting screw upward. To decrease the gap slide the screw downward.
d. Retighten screw securely and try dispensing tape. If adjustment is correctly made tape should be cut easily and cleanly.

Crank Handle

If desired, the crank handle grip can be reversed.

Pressure Plate Weights

The pressure plate which rests on the top of the brushes has removable weight slugs. The number of slugs can be varied to suit the tape being dispensed. Heavy weight tapes require more weight slugs than lighter tapes. The suggested number of slugs is as follows:

35 lb. kraft tape - 0 to 1 slug
60 lb. kraft tape - 1 to 2 slugs
reinforced tape - 2 to 3 slugs

The slugs can be added or removed by pushing in or out. If the machine jams there is too much weight on the pressure plate and some should be removed.

To Clean Knife

Where reinforced tapes are used it will be necessary to clean accumulations of laminate from the cutting blade from time to time. The knife on the Phoenix M-1 has been made especially accessible for this purpose. To clean the knife follow these simple steps:

a. Remove water bottle and tank assemblies.
b. Depress rocker stop rod protruding from right side of machine with right hand and keep in this position until item "c" below has been accomplished.
c. Reach inside machine where tank was removed, pull knife assembly down and swing out to cleaning position.
d. To clean knife, wipe off with suitable solvent. DO NOT SCRAPE WITH HARD OBJECTS as resulting scratches will cause fast accumulation of asphalt. When asphalt is removed, wipe with lightly oiled cloth.
e. Re-insert knife to cutting position by depressing rocker stop rod as in Item "B" above, tip knife up into cutting position and push upward so the knife will come between stationary blade and guide rollers. Release rocker stop rod.
f. Try feeding and cutting tape to check if parts are in proper position.
g. Re-install tank and water bottle.

Spring Tension Adjustment

Both operating springs can be seen by turning the Phoenix M-1 upside down after first removing the water tank and bottle.

a. The handle return spring is the long spring terminating in a hook type clip positioned in one of three holes underneath the water tank platform. The other end is attached to hammer cam on crankshaft.

b. The feed wheel tension spring has one end attached to the rocker carrying the shear blade and the opposite end attached to a hook positioned in one of several holes in the tape basket.

Care should be taken not to interchange the two springs. The feed wheel tension spring is the longer of the two springs. It is also made from heavier wire.

c. Adjustment of handle return spring -to increase tension on handle return for faster handle return or for cutting extremely short lengths, insert hook on spring clip in second or third hole.

d. Should it ever become necessary to increase feed wheel tension to compensate for feed wheel wear, unhook spring at basket and move to hole nearer rear of machine. For lighter tension move end of spring nearer front of machine.

e. Note that both the above springs act together and that increasing tension on the feed wheel tension spring may make necessary additional adjustment of handle return spring especially if it is desired to cut extremely short lengths of tape.

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