Windmill suction issues - Clack valve?

Hello,

I have been having recurring suction issues with my 10 x 15 for months now. I’ve checked the vacuum and hoses all is good on that front. while removing the air filter on the side to double check I noticed a part that seemed notably “wiggly” for lack of a better word. For all I know it’s supposed to be that way, I looked in the parts manual and came up with T1638 Clack Valve and T1633 Plate for Clack Valve. It also indicates that there should be a nut holding things together, It seems my press has two.
I’ve just spent quite a while unsuccessfully trying to tighten it and then thought perhaps I should make sure it needs to be tightened before I do anything. I’m attaching some pictures for reference. Thanks in advance for help.
In addition- do we think this may have anything to do with lack of suction, or is it just something else entirely? Thank you!

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Log in to reply   3 replies so far

I don’t know why these all uploaded sideways, sorry. In the third one I’m pressing on the bottom of the screw so you can see the gap and how loose it is.

Most suction problems I encountered were related to paper dust or printing powder. On top of the assmebly there’s a small filter (brass mesh or the like). This has to be very clean! Remove it and check with a torch how it looks internally. If there’s dust and powder inside, take everything apart an wash thoroughly with petroleum. Moving the plunger (T1610) a few times in and out before starting everyday is a ritual here and as it moves the clack valve we believe it keeps our five windmills from collecting dust and powder in thereā€¦

nicolem,

My only experience with a Windmill is shoving one out of the way of a Linotype, so you can take my input with a big grain of salt.

My C&P Craftsman has similar valves, and they are intentionally loose. Basically, they’re loosely placed over an opening, and then when a vacuum is pulled, they pull up and seal tightly over that opening.

The double nuts also lead me to think this is intentional, as that is a strategy used to lock a nut in position on a bolt when it can’t be tightened down.