kwarner
Neophyte
Just when you think you've got it figured out, you get goo.
Posts: 24
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Post by kwarner on Aug 19, 2020 17:08:20 GMT -5
Hi all!
I've got a specter 11 and my first batch with it went really well. Unfortunately the white bushings like to slide out of place, sometimes halfway through conching. The granite wheel on one side might stop turning completely or, at the very least, squeak like an old doorknob.
when I received the new unit I left the bolts to the outside of each granite wheel the way I received them. Should they be tightened down to compress the white bushings/granite wheels closer to the center pole of the entire insert assembly, or should there be some freedom to slide on the axle? There is currently more than a quarter of an inch or so of give on the axle so the granite wheel(s) can slide quite a ways and the bushings work their way out. Should the outermost large bolts be tightened down to prevent this, but not tight enough to create lateral friction? Thank you for your assistance!
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Post by Ben on Aug 19, 2020 20:15:35 GMT -5
The bolts should be tightened all the way, but there will be still be a little wiggle room.
Are you saying that the bushing in the wheels are separated from the stones?
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kwarner
Neophyte
Just when you think you've got it figured out, you get goo.
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Post by kwarner on Aug 20, 2020 10:45:31 GMT -5
Hi, Ben-
Yes, the bushings stick out from the stones about 2/3 or more of their own width, and sometimes comes out. Chocolate does make its way into the inner 'chamber' of the stones as a result. I'll tighten the nuts down (they're currently loose enough that the bolt itself doesn't even really stick out past the nut). Sound good? And thank you for your quick responses!
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Post by Ben on Aug 20, 2020 11:24:09 GMT -5
The bushings should be connected to the stones and shouldn't move be able to move separately. If they can, they'll need to be replaced.
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying with regards to the nuts and bolts. Can you post a picture?
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kwarner
Neophyte
Just when you think you've got it figured out, you get goo.
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Post by kwarner on Aug 20, 2020 12:49:44 GMT -5
Here you go, Ben. It's not totally clean but you can see the issue here. That bushing is about halfway out of the granite. The same is true for the other wheel. I've been simply tapping the entire assembly on its side to use the granite wheels to sort of pound the bushings back into place. Maybe those nuts need to be tight enough to prevent this in the first place? ibb.co/pJgdM5q
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kwarner
Neophyte
Just when you think you've got it figured out, you get goo.
Posts: 24
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Post by kwarner on Aug 20, 2020 12:50:40 GMT -5
PS- It's pretty much a new Spectra 11. I've used it maybe 3 times and it started doing this after the first batch.
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Post by Ben on Aug 20, 2020 13:03:47 GMT -5
Unless the design has changed, the bushings should be affixed to the stones and shouldn't be able to move at all. You may want to contact Santha and get replacements.
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kwarner
Neophyte
Just when you think you've got it figured out, you get goo.
Posts: 24
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Post by kwarner on Aug 21, 2020 11:33:58 GMT -5
Unless the design has changed, the bushings should be affixed to the stones and shouldn't be able to move at all. You may want to contact Santha and get replacements. Hi, Ben- Right on. They did include several extra bushing inserts (3 or 4 white rings that look/feel a lot like spearmint Lifesavers) so I'll swap these out if there are further issues if adjusting the nut/bolt/axle relationship doesn't fix the problem. Thank you so much!
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Post by Ben on Aug 21, 2020 15:23:48 GMT -5
If they included other inserts, then the design must have changed from what the one I have. You can probably safely ignore most of what I've said in this thread.
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kwarner
Neophyte
Just when you think you've got it figured out, you get goo.
Posts: 24
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Post by kwarner on Aug 22, 2020 13:09:30 GMT -5
No problemo, I'll tighten down to eliminate a lot of the lateral play in this newer design. Something tells me that I'll fix the problem. I really appreciate your follow-ups on these issues, Ben.
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kwarner
Neophyte
Just when you think you've got it figured out, you get goo.
Posts: 24
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Post by kwarner on Aug 23, 2020 19:46:24 GMT -5
Update, it appears that there aren't enough threads to tighten down the nut and eliminate the significant play between it and the bushings. This means that the plastic bushings, both to the outside and inside of the granite wheels, can work themselves loose while the unit is running. unfortunately the bushings, while prescribed to be hammered in with a mallet, are quite easy to both press into their socket by hand and remove. Too loose. I emailed Spectra now to get their take on this, maybe I'm doing something wrong. Here's a photo of where the granite wheel hits the inside center post. I've got the outer nut tightened and the granite wheel pushed outward against that nut. You can see there is almost half of an inch play here, and because the bushings are fairly loose in their sockets, they can easily work themselves out and drift along the axle enough to cause chocolate to go inside of the granite/bushings. Looking forward to Spectra's response, and I hope this is either not a problem for anyone else... or a useful thread. ibb.co/v3cdmBT
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Post by Ben on Aug 24, 2020 8:06:32 GMT -5
How about adding a nylon spacer or washers to hold everything in place?
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Jim B.
Novice
Newbie
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Post by Jim B. on Aug 24, 2020 11:43:20 GMT -5
I had wondered about whether the bushings were working themselves loose- now you've answered that for me! That shouldn't be happening.
The bushings on mine do not pop out, but there is substantial play (or ride) along the axel.
Is that typical on all of them?
Nylon washers/spacers (or polyethylene) should help keep things in line (but it makes me wonder why that's not part of the design!-?? 🤔😉
Jim B
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Post by mark on Aug 24, 2020 22:28:02 GMT -5
Half an inch lateral movement appears to be part of the design. Both of mine have that. If you observe the wheels while the melangeur is running you'll see that they don't actually move laterally at all. So I think that part of your issue is actually a non-issue. The bushings detaching from the actual granite appears to be a separate problem.
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kwarner
Neophyte
Just when you think you've got it figured out, you get goo.
Posts: 24
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Post by kwarner on Aug 26, 2020 8:53:41 GMT -5
Update on this (and a response to your feedback, Mark and Ben). I agree that the lateral play along the axle is by design, no problems there. The granite wheels can move maybe a third of an inch or so along the axle, and that's not apparently an issue when it's running. The wheels aren't really motivated during conching to take advantage of that play. But yes, the problem in my specific situation is that the bushings are coming out much/most of the way from the granite, causing fouling, squeaking, and eventual stop of one of the wheels. As Ben suggested I may add nylon washers to eliminate some of that distance and prevent full excursion of the bushings. Note that only the innermost bushings seem affected. The outer ones don't want to drift as I believe the granite wheels tend to stay outward against the nuts. I contacted Spectra about this issue. They were very courteous and helpful and a little surprised as this is apparently uncommon. They actually offered to manufacture and ship me some bushings a few microns larger to tighten the space. That's a very cool gesture and will most certainly solve the problem. I guess my only concern is that once those bushings go out, I will require more of this proprietary solution. Maybe it was just a bad batch of bushings, as even my included spares were affected. Hope this is a useful thread that doesn't affect many people at all
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