Bent slugs?

[Roger Holmes]

I have discovered a problem on my model 31

The slugs coming out - setting 8.5 pt on 10 23.5 ems with ejector slide set to 20
the type is high in the middle of the slug - i know this because i can slide a 1/4 inch wide slip of light weight coated paper freely under the slug standing up on a good stone without moving the slug and printing from these slugs requires a lot of make ready to get a decent print.

I also have noticed one of the segmented bars in the ejector sticks out a bit further than the others and marks the bottom of the slug - i have removed the backknife and taken it to a reputable sharpening company that work on our paper cutters and meuller trim knives and given them copies of how to sharpen the back and the trim knives (from the book)- what i do not know is can the backknife be causing the gap that allows the slug to appeaar to stand high in the middle or is the slug being bent by bad ejecting - i also have a side trim issue causing the slugs to not be exactly parallel, but iam sure that can be fixed with proper adjustment of the side knives provided i get them sharpened properly.

My biggest problem is what seems to be slugs that are high in the middle and i don't know if it is a trim problem or an ejector problem causing this - any thoughts would be appreciated.

[John Nixon]

Hi Roger. Is the actual type flat, ie no curve on the printing edge? If it is flat my opinion is that the back trim knife is the issue. You could cast a line with the back knife removed for comparison. All the best , John

[Franz]

Saw the same yesterday. Slug is bent along the slug, like a donut segment, that can't be the back knife.

You could have a look if you get a lot of resistance from the knife block, it should only slightly scrape the side of the slug that is facing away from the ribs.

Then, make sure your mold is clean, so that the slug doesn't stick to it - are there any lead residue, scratches etc. Clean it carefully, and polish with graphite.

[Mechanic]

Without seeing the slug it is difficult to make any definite analysis of your problem. I'm assuming that the slug measures 0.918" all the way across.

All the ejector blade segments should be level. Any that project should be filed back level.

On the left hand side of the mold disk there are two blocks that support the disk as the back knife trims the slug. These should be set to just touch the front of the disk without binding.

I'm assuming that the typeface on the slug is not damaged in any way, nothing is impeding the ejection of the slug.

Make sure the mold is clean. If you don't have any mold cleaner use brasso and rub with piece of flat wood.
Mold disks become warped over the years, your machine is probably at least 55 years old, if it was last model 31 built.