Plastic Cutter on Supermatic 500 series
Posted by Jeffo on Tuesday, 20-Nov-2007
I've read a few posts on using the new plastic cutter on the Super 500 series. Does anyone know if it is possible to change the H-link on the "500" to the new C series H-link and plastic cutter and avoid the looseness in the linkage problem? If so are there any other parts that should be changed to do this right. I have two Supermatic 500's I'd like to do this mod on to improve them.
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- Re: Plastic Cutter on Supermatic 500 series
- Posted by Dave L on Tuesday, 20-Nov-2007
The 500 H-link is unique [link]. I haven't seen a 500 (I'll buy David's if he sells it cheap) but to use the new POS Supermatic linkage on the Supermatic II would require grinding down the thicker rivet heads and enlarging the mounting holes... at least the later would be required with the 500.
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I don't think the slight looseness, due to the slightly smaller posts on the plastic cutter/compressor (VS the II/500 cutter), is a big deal but I'll start using one in my II (same size linkage holes as the 500) to make sure.
...The plastic cutter isn't flat, I had to sand (220 > 400 > 600 grit) off the high spots to get a friction free fit in the Supermatic II. Note that this is because the II has slightly smaller clearances than the Supermatic (don't know about the 500), that the new cutter is slightly thicker than all previous cutters and that the only difference in aluminum cutters (letter and 500/II) is the post size. Anyway, the plastic cutter is working fine in the Supermatic II.
- Re: Plastic Cutter on Supermatic 500 series
- Posted by Jeffo on Tuesday, 20-Nov-2007
Thanks very much for the quick replies to my post. Since I made it I've had some feedback from a friend of mine who has 1- A, 2- B's, and 1- 500 Supermatics. I'm going to visit him tomorrow and put a plastic cutter in one of my 500's. Here's the comments he sent me about his experience with this subject:
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I have replaced the cutters on all four of my machines
with the new P-47 plastic Supermatic Cutter One is a "A", two are "B" and
the latest one I bought is a 500 series. I am happy to report the new
cutter works perfect in all of them. I kept all the metal cutters from the
machines. When you compare the new plastic with the metal cutters, they are
all identical in terms of length, width and depth. In other words, I found
the plastic cutters are interchangable with all the blue Supermatics (A, B &
500 series).
I notice no extra play in the linkage, machine works great. I didn't replace the original H link in the 500 as in looks nearly identical to the one in the B and A series machines.
I'll post again tomorrow after my installation of the new plastic cutter on my 500 to clear up this picture a little bit. Thanks to both of you "Daves" for your quick responce.
- Re: Plastic Cutter on Supermatic 500 series
- Posted by Jeffo on Wednesday, 21-Nov-2007
After putting the plastic cutter in my 500 all I can say is it works like greased lightning...unbelievable difference...no build up...effortless.
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There is very slight play on the posts but it should work for a long time. No H-Link change was necessary just the new plastic cutter.
- Re: Plastic Cutter on Supermatic 500 series
- Posted by Jeffo on Monday, 26-Nov-2007
After a week and 2 plus cartons injected with the plastic cutter there are no problems with the 500 and everythngs working great. There is no build up at all on the cutter. If I load a lot of shake into the chamber the crank gets a little stiff after the compression is complete and the cutter has done it's job. This is normal. I'll keep you posted on any problems that come up but so far it's still working great. If after a while problems do occur I'll just buy the new "C" series machine with the plastic cutter already in from the factory and the new H-link. I'm spoiled now. Plastic Fantastic!!
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- Re: Plastic Cutter on Supermatic 500 series
- Posted by Jeffo on Tuesday, 04-Dec-2007
Update on using the plastic cutter in my Supermatic "500" series:
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It's been two weeks and about 34 packs now. I put another of the plastic cutters the P-47 in my back up "500" also. Both machines working excellent. I've put all the "mileage" on the first machine though. Still no build up on the cutter or the chamber bottom. The cutter change requires only the original S-47 be taken out and the new type cutter P-47 be put in it's place. It takes about 5- minutes with no other parts required. Then adjust your tube release to 2 3/4" following Dave Lers suggestions (His post on this adjustment can be found in the Machines category on this site.) The new plastic cutters part number P-47 are available from Arbro Inc. [link]
This is still an experiment though. The P-47 cutter is not recommended for this machine by Arbro as the original S-47 has just slightly smaller posts where the cutter attaches to the H-Link. This hasn't been a problem so far. No more build up problems and I end up with "Two Tap" smoke every time and 1/2 the time no taps required with almost no filter end void. The increased smooth operation of these machines is unbelievable.
- Re: Plastic Cutter on Supermatic 500 series
- Posted by Jeffo on Monday, 17-Dec-2007
I've been thinking about drilling out the bolt holes in a P-58 H-Link to accommodate the larger "500" bolts (same as the Supermatic II bolts) and replacing the original PI-58 with the modified P-58, then the cutter posts would be the right size also. I don't have ready access to a drill press would a hand drill be OK if I step the hole size very gradually and then remove the burs on the H-Link very carefully . I have a new P-58 on the way from Arbro if this wont work I'll just keep it for a spare for my "B" model. On second thought I have access to a drill press at work. I better be safe than sorry.
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- Re: Plastic Cutter on Supermatic 500 series
- Posted by David Brown on Tuesday, 20-Nov-2007
I was told by Arbro that it wouldnt fit the 500. I just went ahead and bought a c model. It works so well I am not going to take it apart to see if the cutter is interchangeable
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