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I know, we are talking about a antique, but we are still using it for cutting Sandblast material. I am having a problem with the knife blades rotation. It is not finding it's origin. It is cutting 90 degrees off it's origin. This has happened before and we were told to dust off the disks on the back with the eye, and that always worked before, but it has not helped this time. Anyone know any fixes to get it back to its correct cutting position? HELP!!!!!
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Kerry, Check the orange belt with the plastic teeth on it that spins gear that holds the blade. Just unscrew the cover and see if there are a bunch of missing teeth. If so you need to replace it.
When replacing it, you will have to turn the machine on and it will find it's "home" position. Make sure that you notice the orientation of the "pin" inside the blade holder. I believe it is at 12 o'clock (but it may be 6 o'clock, I'm not at the shop).
You may not need a new belt at all. If the tension slipped on your orange zipper, you may be able to just find the proper orientation and then tighten it again.
You can feel free to call me tomorrow between 8:30 and 5:30EST.
[ April 04, 2007, 11:17 PM: Message edited by: Gene Golden ]
-------------------- Gene Golden Gettysburg Signs Gettysburg PA 17325 717-334-0200 genegolden@gettysburgsigns.com
"Art is knowing when to stop." Posts: 1578 | From: Gettysburg, PA | Registered: Jun 2003
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Gene, Thanks, the belt is worn but not broken. I did adjust it to make it align up right & that seems to have fixed the problem. It is finding it's origin. It's late so will give it a test tomorrow. Thanks for the help! I guess after 22 years it's time to see if I can find a belt replacement!
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Kerry, it's called a Theta belt. You can get them thru Hyatt's. I bought two last year for just under $100. Gene helped me to get it installed. He really knows his stuff. It's tricky to find just the right "home" position. There is a subtle paint dot on the assembly where the belt gous thru. I have a 4E and a 4B...nothing cuts better sandblast stencil or makes better pounce patterns, IMO. Maybe the dust from the sandblast stuff clogged your plotter. A good blast of compressed air can help, as well as an alcohol wipe on the tines of the J10 and J11 thingies and some 3-in-1 oil on your metal rods the cutter head rides on. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I had the exact problem...the eye would get dirty and you'd blow it out and it would work again, then one day the trick stopped working. Turns out that the wiring harnass with the little electronic eye needed replacing. It was painless to do, but I'd call up Gerber and see if you can still get the parts.
-------------------- John Byrd Ball Ground, Georgia 770-735-6874 http://johnbyrddesign.com so happy I gotta sit on both my hands to keep from wavin' at everybody! Posts: 741 | From: Ball Ground, Georgia, USA | Registered: May 1999
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I have a 23 year old IV-A which gets used almost daily. On mine, the shaft that drives the rotation of the knife has a slotted disk on the far end. A "U" shaped electric eye finds the slot and homes it. After cleaning no longer worked, I had to replace the eye about ten years ago. I bought a new one at an electronic parts house for about four bucks.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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i have a 4b with 10 fonts for sale to be picked up in commerce, ga. $400.00 works good.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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