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Hack Tip

Mike Walsh

Active Member
Aug 12, 2017
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C.B.S. , Newfoundland
Hey Folks, just wanted to share this. Most of you veterans out there may have already done this or even have a better recommendation. As I am not located in a major center for acquiring parts quickly when a machine goes down any kind of fix is a good fix until I can get the part. This fix concerns switchs or more precisely the wire when it breaks away from the actuator. Seems to happen at Vuks more often but in this case it was a roll over. A lot of the time the wire is not reusable and sometimes you can't even find it. It's almost like the Bermuda Triangle!
To get to the point what I have found is that the gauge and strength of a larger paper clip is almost identical to the wire that is used for switches on Vuks and roll overs. The picture I have used is a paper clip with ridges, the one I used and recommended is smooth! image.jpg In the case of the rollover I used a shop vac nozzle to make the semi circle while taping it with a small hammer. Using another rollover wire as a guide. The wire is workable but is still nice and rigid. Once I had the shape I needed I removed
( filed/grind) the old wire from the actuator and micro welded the new wire. Works like a charm. If I didn't have the tools needed I would have left the old wire on the actuator and laid the new wire next to it and used a heavy duty adhesive.
Hope this helps someone.
I will try and post a few pictures but for some reason I can't figure it out! 50+ brain I guess! Ha!
 

Mike Walsh

Active Member
Aug 12, 2017
297
94
28
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C.B.S. , Newfoundland
Thanks Mike, the unit we use is a PUK Welder. We use it on jewellery for both design and repair. Most of our experience is with soft metals like gold and silver. It does have settings for different metals and it is very user friendly. Search it on the internet and have a look. They are amazing machines to work with!
 

Rascal

Active Member
Sep 20, 2015
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nova scotia, canada
In this neck of the woods sometimes parts are not readily available so you have to improvise and repair. I checked out the PUK welder and that looks great for very small welding. I normally use my Mig welder set low for small stuff but for micro stuff in your business, that is perfect.
 

Mike Walsh

Active Member
Aug 12, 2017
297
94
28
61
C.B.S. , Newfoundland
It is a handy piece of equipment. It can do 90% of what a laser can do and it is a fraction of the cost.We also use microscopes for a lot of our work. It makes for a much better job!
 

Mike Walsh

Active Member
Aug 12, 2017
297
94
28
61
C.B.S. , Newfoundland
That looks the same. We generally don’t use any extra metal like in the video but it depends on the application/job. I really can’t say enough good. They are great! There is literally nothing you can’t do.