Kluge Automatic Feeder: Where to go next?
I’ve got a 10x15 Kluge with MB at the beginning of the serial. I got it from a shop that probably hadn’t used it in a decade. I’ve spent some time reading the threads on here and getting it running again, and I’m finally at a place where I feel like I can ask decent questions. I’m looking for some advice about where to go next with the feeder.
My issue is with the feeder arm suction. It measures about 5 inhg at the hose to the feeder arm, and maybe 9 or 10 inhg at the pump below. There’s hard pipe between these 2 locations.
I plan to disassemble and reassemble the pipe connections with better sealant.
Some other things I’ve done are:
-remove and recondition the piston pump and its seals and check valves.
-Replace the diaphragm in the throwoff mechanism with a thin silicone sheet as it was immobile and seemed leaky.
-lube everything
-remove and clean the feeder suction break mechanism as it was totally clogged
-Grind the metal feeder suckers flat like Warren suggests
From what I’ve read on here, many people put an outboard vac pump on these and abandon the piston pump. I read elsewhere that maybe spending the money on Bigfoot suckers can help compensate for a low suction piston pump.
any advice?
We put Bigfoot suckers on a vintage Kluge and they work very well.
Hello I went to Gast vacuum pumps on 12 x 18 the additional advantage is that you can “walk” the sheet from the feeder right into the guides.
Can you elaborate on the throw-off diaphragm repair? Both my older presses the throw-off doesn’t really function as intended and the throw-off diaphragms seem pretty solid from who knows how many decades of absorbing oil.
Also what was inside your piston pump? I’ve just taken both mine apart, one was still in good shape and one that was no longer in use the gaskets had disintegrated, but on both pumps the gaskets we have are made with rubber rather than leather like are mentioned in all the posts I’ve found here on those old pumps. I can form leather for the pump that’s missing gaskets but at least need to find a replacement seal for the shaft.
The old pump, or any pump, needs to be clean. I can rebuild the piston pumps for about $450 not including shipping. The kits i use have leather piston seals. They will likely last another 50 years.These things are a mess. The shaft seal can be replaced with a “rope packing” made for that purpose. If you add oil around the present seal and it works better, then your seal is shot.
The old pump, or any pump, needs to be clean. I can rebuild the piston pumps for about $450 not including shipping. The kits i use have leather piston seals. They will likely last another 50 years.These things are a mess. The shaft seal can be replaced with a “rope packing” made for that purpose. If you add oil around the present seal and it works better, then your seal is shot.