Cassese CS79 Underpinner Problems

[Ambler]

Hi all - I have viewed the site for a couple of years and have learned so much - thank you. I suppose it had to happen at some stage but I have now got a problem that is baffling me..I have owned a Cassese CS79 underpinner now for about 3 years and it is has never given me any problems....until now! It has stopped underpinning. I spoke to Lions who suggested that I removed the block to see if the hammer was OK - if they mean a V shaped piece of metal about 2 inches long - then yes, it appears to be fine. Here's the thing - when I push down on the pedal the top arm moves down but the hammer does not move up to collect a staple from the cassette and push into the moulding - if I then reach underneath the underpinner and push the rod with the spring upwards the 'hammer' moves up and the green light comes on - it's almost as if the underpinner is working in reverse. I doubt if this is the case as I was using it the night before and it worked fine and I didn't touch anything inside or underneath the machine. Has anyone got any ideas? I know that describing a technical fault is never easy but it might ring a bell with someone whoa may have had a similar problem. I would be grateful to hear from anyone that has.

[Mark Thornton]

Possible causes.
1. If the bottom of the clamp pad is more than 35mm above the top of the moulding then there's not enough mechanical travel left to insert the wedge.
2. The pedal cable has come off one of its pulleys.

Try operating the Cs79 without the wedge block fitted (and remove the wedges) you should then be able to see what is happening.

Regards Mark

[Ambler]

Mark, Many thanks for getting back to me so swiftly - I have resolved the problem which was possibly due to a rogue cassette! Also, unknown to me that in order to carry out a mechanical check to see if the hammer is working you need to include the top compression arm in the test - I rather stupidly was pushing down on the peddle to see if the hammer was actually operating and it was the kind man from Lions called Stuart who pointed out that unless the top arm was pushing down on a moulding the hammer would not operate. Once I knew that small, but vital piece of information the underpinner worked - doh!

[Foursticks]

Thanx guys
This thread saved my sanity (& my underpinner from a date with mr. hammer!).
Couldn't get my head round the pulley/pressure quandry.
Of course, when the stopper encounters the resistance from the moulding then enough pressure is created to lift the hammer via the pulley.
Phew.
But then of course, once re-assembled... the old cs79 still doesn't think much of the (genuine cassesse) 15mm wedges. Ditch them.
No sweat. Just use 5's/ 10's instead.
Cheers.

[Not your average framer]

I used to have the same problem, but not anymore. My CS-79 came from Lion, so I spoke to Stewart at Lion and he spoke to Cassesse, who had a fix for it. He sent me some washers and a drawing to show me how to solve the problem. If it's the same problem, have a word with Stewart from Lion, he may have the answer.

[Foursticks]

Ta. Will bear it in mind.
However...
15's are back in play. Turns out there was a slight fault with the white plastic cartridge.
Look to the front end of the cartridge & you may find that underneath there is no gap to allow the hammer to penetrate & shove the wedge (hammer will hit plastic & simply stop).
Solution: Take a blade & cut a wee notch in either side of cartridge inner therefore allowing the hammer access to shove wedges. Et Voila!
No problemos.