Why Isn't The Pro Autodisk Actuator Arm Longer?
- 6Gears1Speed
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Why Isn't The Pro Autodisk Actuator Arm Longer?
I'm sorry if this has been brought up before but I'm new to the forum and did a search but didn't find anything.
I just set up my first Loadmaster and one thing that really stood out as a head scratcher was that the metal arm on the base of the Autodisk that the chain attaches to is too short. It works, but the chain interferes with the frame and the thumb nut that holds the turret in place. If the arm were about an inch or so longer it would clear everything and not look and feel so messy and tangled.
Being the tweeker that I am I paid a visit to Lowes and about a dollar later had a solution. I installed a simple 90 degree bracket to the existing holes in the arms and it's much cleaner. I didn't even have to drill a hole in the bracket. Out of the package and onto the press. The holes didn't line up exactly so I just used some smaller screws that allowed for use of the existing holes in the bracket. To hold the chain in place I just wrapped some small gauge wire around it for now but I'll find something that looks more natural. I've also been experimenting with using picture hanging wire instead of the chain. I could also just get some bar metal, drill my own holes and leave it horizontal. This was just a quickie with material that I didn't have to mess with.
Has anyone else done this?
I just set up my first Loadmaster and one thing that really stood out as a head scratcher was that the metal arm on the base of the Autodisk that the chain attaches to is too short. It works, but the chain interferes with the frame and the thumb nut that holds the turret in place. If the arm were about an inch or so longer it would clear everything and not look and feel so messy and tangled.
Being the tweeker that I am I paid a visit to Lowes and about a dollar later had a solution. I installed a simple 90 degree bracket to the existing holes in the arms and it's much cleaner. I didn't even have to drill a hole in the bracket. Out of the package and onto the press. The holes didn't line up exactly so I just used some smaller screws that allowed for use of the existing holes in the bracket. To hold the chain in place I just wrapped some small gauge wire around it for now but I'll find something that looks more natural. I've also been experimenting with using picture hanging wire instead of the chain. I could also just get some bar metal, drill my own holes and leave it horizontal. This was just a quickie with material that I didn't have to mess with.
Has anyone else done this?
Last edited by 6Gears1Speed on 11 Dec 2014 00:19, edited 1 time in total.
- Fyodor
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Re: Why Isn't The Pro Autodisk Actuator Arm Longer?
I don't think the chain touching the thumb screw would cause any problem. But if you found it a problem and solved it, that's great!
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
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I think I'm thinking, therefore I may possibly be.
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, often misattributed to Voltaire
I think I'm thinking, therefore I may possibly be.
- 6Gears1Speed
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Re: Why Isn't The Pro Autodisk Actuator Arm Longer?
I did mention that it works as is, but it gets tangled with the frame and thumb screw and I prefer the chain to be unobstructed and not scrape against the press as it goes up and down. It just seems cleaner this way to me I guess. Can't hurt, I think.
- Ranch Dog
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Re: Why Isn't The Pro Autodisk Actuator Arm Longer?
That is a neat fix. I too have not like the chain across the press so will look into this fix.
Michael
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Re: Why Isn't The Pro Autodisk Actuator Arm Longer?
Nice way to think out of the box.
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- 6Gears1Speed
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Re: Why Isn't The Pro Autodisk Actuator Arm Longer?
I found something even better than this the other day at Lowes. In the cardboard drawers where they keep specialty parts they have short mending plates that are perfect. The holes are the same diameter and the spaces exactly the same on center as the Autodisk lever holes. It's like they were made for it. As a bonus there are extra holes so the chain can snake through multiple times keeping it more secure without having to mess with zip ties or anything else to prevent the chain from coming loose. It extends and retracts the disk perfectly and keeps the chain away from the frame. I can't remember exactly but I think the package of 5 was around $2 and change. Love it!
- akuser47
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Re: Why Isn't The Pro Autodisk Actuator Arm Longer?
Great find thanks for sharing looks like lee put it there themselves.
- 6Gears1Speed
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