A Wrenching Experience

Well, I am finally getting time and warmth enough to get to work on the A806 that Cory cadman gifted to me over a year ago.

Work is proceeding in stages, because I'm a busy puppy, but today was a job I hadn't actually done before, though I knew how in theory - new motor glides.

I got it done, but I'm sure there are more experienced hands around here who would have laughed at my mistakes and my cursing.

The thing I dreaded most - getting the setscrew of the motor pulley loose - actually wasn't too bad. A little Liquid Wrench, a little waiting, a few taps of the hammer on the end of the Allen key and it popped loose quite cooperatively.

What was really bad was at the end, when it was time to stretch the new springs to attach them to the bottom half of the motor carriage. Following a tip given here some time ago by Ben swestoyz, I used my needle-nosed pliers to grasp and pull. Except that the stubborn new springs were very hard to pull, and slippery to boot. The first one went okay enough, but the second spring went into full, unfettered Uncooperative Mode; the spring kept slipping from the pliers' grasp. Since I was applying a fair amount of pulling force on the spring and had my head quite close to the motor carriage, I smacked my own face twice due to the spring slipping.

All done now, and I learned a lot. Next week is damper pads. I find myself really wishing I had the tool and the skills to remove the brake package so that I could do some cabinet restoration that needs doing. Since that's not on, I am doing replacement of wear parts and cleanup; cabinet work can come later.

Anyway, all of you who do all the nitty-gritty mechanical work you do, have my respect!


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Post# 751277 4/19/2014 at 18:06 (3,658 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Well, I am finally getting time and warmth enough to get to work on the A806 that Cory cadman gifted to me over a year ago. Work is proceeding in stages, because I'm a busy puppy, but today was a job I hadn't actually done before, though I knew how in theory - new motor glides. I got it done, but I'm sure there are more experienced hands around here who would have laughed at my mistakes and my cursing. The thing I dreaded most - getting the setscrew of the motor pulley loose - actually wasn't too bad. A little Liquid Wrench, a little waiting, a few taps of the hammer on the end of the Allen key and it popped loose quite cooperatively. What was really bad was at the end, when it was time to stretch the new springs to attach them to the bottom half of the motor carriage. Following a tip given here some time ago by Ben swestoyz, I used my needle-nosed pliers to grasp and pull. Except that the stubborn new springs were very hard to pull, and slippery to boot. The first one went okay enough, but the second spring went into full, unfettered Uncooperative Mode; the spring kept slipping from the pliers' grasp. Since I was applying a fair amount of pulling force on the spring and had my head quite close to the motor carriage, I smacked my own face twice due to the spring slipping. All done now, and I learned a lot. Next week is damper pads. I find myself really wishing I had the tool and the skills to remove the brake package so that I could do some cabinet restoration that needs doing. Since that's not on, I am doing replacement of wear parts and cleanup; cabinet work can come later. Anyway, all of you who do all the nitty-gritty mechanical work you do, have my respect!

Post# 751308 , Reply# 1 4/19/2014 at 20:12 (3,657 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Sandy - stop by tomorrow or Monday. You can barrow the brake wrench. Way to go! Those springs sure can be a bear. Ben

Post# 751310 , Reply# 2 4/19/2014 at 20:25 (3,657 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)
Checkrate/Likes *Ben:* You really think I'm competent to use the brake wrench? LOL! I'm sure willing to give it a shot - this is too nice a machine not to do right. Thanks!

Post# 751331 , Reply# 3 4/19/2014 at 22:54 (3,657 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Next time try using a crochet hook on the springs, works like a charm! If you didn't need a tetnus booster after today, you're ready for a brake wrench - good luck :-)

Post# 751431 , Reply# 4 4/20/2014 at 10:19 (3,657 days old) by turquoisedude (.)
Checkrate/Likes Springs and needlenose pliers are fun to play with aren't they?? Sounds like you are doing an excellent job, Sandy! Keep up the good work and don't be shy about removing the brake package - remember, there are lots of folks here who can help out if you have questions. You'll do fine!

Post# 751438 , Reply# 5 4/20/2014 at 10:45 (3,657 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )
Checkrate/Likes 1 *You did well* Many wouldn't even attempt to remove a panel on a washer; sorry you got face-smacked. As I read your story, I was hoping you weren't going to say something worse happened. Not to sound like you don't take precautions, but do you wear eye protection? Congrats on your first stage. phil

Post# 751449 , Reply# 6 4/20/2014 at 11:45 (3,657 days old) by stevet (West Melbourne, FL)
Checkrate/Likes *Tools of another trade!* Would something like this help with those springs? I have used my brake spring tool many times in many different applications. Would it work on the Maytags? Different brands have a different hook configuration on the end but the scissoring action helps pull the spring to where it needs to be. Needle nose pliers are really not the tool to use to pull. CLICK HERE TO GO TO stevet's LINK

Post# 751495 , Reply# 7 4/20/2014 at 17:59 (3,657 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)
Checkrate/Likes *I Think....* ....The "perfect" spring puller for a Maytag's motor glide springs would be based on a crochet hook, as Greg suggests, but it would also have a "T"-handle so that you could really pull. Ah, well - no commercial need for 'em now, right?

Post# 751576 , Reply# 8 4/21/2014 at 02:54 (3,656 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)
Checkrate/Likes Spring puller-how 'bout the tool some vacuum cleaner techs use to put roller brush belts in newer vacuum cleaners-its a sort of hooklike tool with a "T" type handle.Beleive vacuum parts suppliers like ESSCO and HESCO carry these tools.

Post# 751587 , Reply# 9 4/21/2014 at 05:32 (3,656 days old) by retro-man (- boston,ma)
Checkrate/Likes I don't know if this would pass as a tool but from what you guys are describing I have a lace tightener for hockey skates. It has a hook on one end and a rounded T handle on the top. Sounds like the same thing. Take a look in a sporting goods store or on line and see if this would work. Very inexpensive also. Jon

Post# 751595 , Reply# 10 4/21/2014 at 06:27 (3,656 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)
Checkrate/Likes *Well....* ....I Googled both these tools - vacuum belt tool and hockey skate lace tightener - and of the two, the lace tightener looks like it could be modified slightly to work well. The vacuum belt tool doesn't look as capable of modification. It would require one of the non-folding lace tighteners - there are folding ones that wouldn't be long enough to do the job on a Maytag spring. And the hook portion would need to be bent slightly, so that it's more of a "J" hook shape. But I'm pretty sure it would work quite well. Thanks! Now I know, and if I ever have this job to do again, I'll be making a trip to Scheel's or Dick's for a tightener.

Post# 751809 , Reply# 12 4/22/2014 at 02:26 (3,655 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona )
Checkrate/Likes *oh sandy.....* how exciting to be getting started on working on your A806!!! and sorry too, about the face-smacking you did to yourself. keep us posted on your updates. i'll be rooting for you & hoping that it doesn't get to be too difficult of a task for you!!! keep my fingers crossed for you!!! ;o)

Post# 751796 , Reply# 11 4/22/2014 at 00:37 (3,655 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)
Checkrate/Likes The belt or skate tool could be used for another spring thing I have to deal with---tune coil roller springs in one of our transmitters-by bending the "hook" end slightly to make it more hooklike-would be good for removing ,applying tune roller springs-will look at Dicks for that skate tool-and put it in my transmitter toolbox.You have to fight those roller springs because they are VERY strong so the roller will make good electrical contact to the coil.If the contact is poor-both the coil and roller get burned from arcing.LOTS OF WORK-filing,sanding,brazing.

Post# 751892 , Reply# 13 4/22/2014 at 10:18 (3,655 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Way to go Sandy! Keep us posted on the progress! -Cory

Post# 751965 , Reply# 14 4/22/2014 at 16:59 (3,655 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)
Checkrate/Likes *Cory:* Took me long enough to get started, didn't it? >8^p