Posts from 2003 to Nov 2005

Posted by Warren on Monday, 24-Oct-2005

If the SYO numbers stay relatively small, we may remain below the radar of the bureaucrats. I noticed that for ordering cigarettes, I was required to supply a proof of age to the UPS driver (on the 1st shipment only). With tobacco or other SYO packages, no such proof was required. Therefore, the two must fall into different categories.

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Posted by Rob on Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005

This is new as of Oct. 24, 2005
ALBANY, N.Y. - The world's largest shipping carrier, UPS Inc., will stop delivering cigarettes to individuals in the United States under an agreement announced Monday with state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

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Re: UPS NOW ON BANDWAGON: Posted by Warren on Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005
Reading the news stories and noticing that US Postal Service is refusing to bend to the US AG Spitzer's demands, it appears as if the feds are simply elbowing out the private carriers from the cigarette shipment turf. The Postal Service is a separate bureaucracy and it doesn't fall under the US Justice Dept., and surely not under the any state bureaucracy.

Even if the federal AG ends up classifying SYO tobacco under the same rules as cigarettes (which need not be the case), thus unshippable by the private carriers, the Postal Service may not care much (unless the Congress passes a new federal law). Given that this would amount to loss of federal income (loss by Postal Service) to states (in the form of increased states tobacco taxes), the feds in any branch may not wish to do it just for nothing. Usually, when that kind of money transfer occurs, from feds to states, the federal bureaucrats & lawmakers attach strings to their "gift" in order to increase the control over the states.

I can see how the feds gain by the new rule which squeezes out only the private carriers. But they only lose if the Postal Service ceases the cigarette shipping. In addition to the financial loss, the federal lawmakers would get against themselves some pissed off smokers with nothing to gain in return, while the state lawmakers would scoop the benefits of the extra income.
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Posted by JD on Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005

Yet another typical example of US government run amok. There should be no laws whatsoever prohibiting or restricting the shipment of legal merchandise--none whatsoever--and each and every one of us should refuse to be treated like diseased curs this way. We need to write, call, fax and e-mail en mass to the cretins who have allowed this thing to come about immediately.

An aside--I remember all my republican buddies claiming they voted for Duhbya because he stood for smaller government, less intrusion, etc. Hahahahahaha! Twin sons of different mothers the republicans and democrats are on most issues. Say what will get the votes, do whatever you please afterwards. I need a smoke!

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Posted by Warren on Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005

What would make the politicians take us into their calculations would be a smokers organization that keeps detailed score for each of them, at state and federal levels, based on their anti-smoker actions. As a swing vote, 20-25 percent of voting and pissed off adults (plus their families) is more than decisive.

Anyone doing us harm would know that's their last term in any elective office or any good job anywhere. And if their buddies give them jobs as bureaucrats or in private business, the buddies and their companies get minus points of the offender. The same kind of scoring would go for corporations -- any company or its managment and owners harming us could count on getting 20% of adults, plus their families, hating their guts and dead set from now on until they perish, to hurt them economically in any legal way possible. Individual loud mouth crusadors out to harm us would get the same treatment.

The threat of unyielding revenge that sees through and follows them through any changes of jobs and uniforms, associations and friendships, and that sticks to anyone taking their side or aiding them, does work. After all, ten times smaller minorities, but known by almost everyone to have a long memory, to keep scorecards and to consistently follow 'an eye for an eye' strategy have much more power than we do.

It is absurd and a disgrace that with our raw numbers (plus the families and relatives) and economic leverage we are being pushed around and spat on like this, day after day, by a small well connected gang of parasites.

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Re: UPS NOW ON BANDWAGON: Posted by Hey Pocky Way on Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005
New York State (and other states that have high cigarette taxes) has been putting pressure on credit card companies and PayPal over their processing of cigarette purchases over the Internet, so this is their next logical step. What the states don't understand is that once they raise their cigarette taxes so that cigarettes are beyond the budget of Joe Citizen, Joe Citizen does not quit. He seeks other lower-priced sources for cigarettes. Some of us move to MYO, others buy cigarettes through the Internet from Native Americans or from overseas (Russian Marlboros go for about $14 a carton shipped to the U.S.). Loose tobacco for rolling or stuffing is under a different tax class than packaged cigarettes. So far I think we are a very small group compared to packaged cigarette buyers, but we have to be on guard that they don't start coming after us. How we go about that is not clear to me.
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Re: UPS NOW ON BANDWAGON: Posted by Zippy on Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005
You are ABSOLUTELY Correct. The online "score" you speak about, backed by a "Smokers" P.A.C. would work wonders.

Pick one candidate, throw funds toward him. Spread the word by handing literature to the Millions standing out in the cold and rain, and you have a win.

Problem is:

Even though we are smokers most are either Dem, or Rep. Dem's hat Rep's, and Rep's haye Dem's, no matter that THEU BOTH HATE US!

With so many Pro-Smoking Groups on the web, they should get together and for ONE P.A.C.
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Re: UPS NOW ON BANDWAGON: Posted by Tom on Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005
if the ballot (that put a fifty foot radius around smokers)passes on november 8th, in the state of washington, it will make any populated area in the state, smoke free. there will not be a need for UPS to make a delivery. on november 9th the same special interest group will go to oregon to and do it all over again.
so, if the ballot passes, and you are driving down town seattle and you see a door or air vent, you best put out your smoke! if you don't it's a $100 fine for you and the shop owner! if the street has three lanes, drive in the center lane and you should be twenty five feet away from the doors and/or air vents.
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Posted by tom on Friday, 18-Nov-2005

i don't think it is the product "cigarettes", UPS probably does not want to take on the legal ramifications if they should happen to deliver to someone under age. let alone the added cost to implement a method for the driver to validate "age".
as a retailer, when there is a change in law, i have to create/maintatin records that show i have followed the law (for four years). that cost is passed on to my customers! if it takes a employee one minute to ring up a sale without verification of age and two minutes to verify age and ring a sale, that means i will need two employees ringing sales to handle the same volume. needless to say when my cost go up, so does your cost of tobacco.
i don't know about other states, but here in oregon, major stores have setup an closed area that an employee hands you your cigarettes and rings the sale. tobacco signs have been removed, in some stores you can not even see the cigarettes. this is being done to reduce liability. but it is pure hell when you get to the check stand and the clerk is also responsible for customer service and/or lottery tickets.

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Posted by Rob on Monday, 21-Nov-2005

This is what I read today on famous smoke shop website;

http://www.famous-smoke.com/cigars/index.cfm
they DONT SELL CIGARETTES---ONLY CIGARS!
Beginning on Monday, November 21, 2005, UPS will no longer accept packages which include cigars for delivery to consumers in the states of Montana and Washington. The number of states UPS will not deliver cigars to has now increased to 3 (Maine). If you reside in any of these states, you will be given the option of choosing FedEx or the Post Office for deliveries.

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Exell Spoon length adjustments

Posted by JD on Tuesday, 22-Nov-2005

You also have the option of booting the freaking Nannies who pass such outrageous legislation Out Of Office. Do it soon.

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Re: UPS NOW ON BANDWAGON: Posted by Rob on Monday, 12-Dec-2005
From; http://www.cigaradvisor.com/news.cfm?id=34
From Cigar Jack comes a tip about the Georgetown Cigar Party, a protest against the anti-smoking legislation recently passed in the state of Washington.

I'm in the process of getting more information from contacts in Washington which I hope to pass along later today, but the gist of the idea is to have a protest modelled after the Boston Tea Party. It will be held on Friday, December 2, 2005 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Rain City Cigar, 5963 Corson Ave., S., Suite 130, Seattle, Washington. Phone number for the store is (206) 767-3619 and their email address is raincitycigar@qwest.net.

Some of the tobacco industry people who will be at the Party include: Patrick Dewitt of General Cigar Co., Steve Martin of Altadis USA, and Don Hanes of Monarch Marketing. The event is being characterized in a flyer put out by Rain City Cigar as an Act of Resistance, where great blue clouds of smoke will be cast into the air before a copy of Initiative 901 will be symbolically thrown into the trash and the group will prepare for a protest march on Washingtons capital, Olympia.

Initiative 901 is the strictest smoking ban in the country. Going into effect on December 8, the ban outlaws indoor smoking in all workplaces, over 5,300 restaurants, 1,160 bars, 98 bowling alleys, dozens of casinos - and even in all cigar bars and cigar shops. The law even bans smoking in private clubs on private property. Also, at least 75% of all rooms in each hotel and motel in the state must be non-smoking, and with the 25-foot rule it effectively requires all rooms to be non-smoking rooms.

Under the new law, smoking outdoors is also prohibted everywhere in the state within twenty-five of any windows, doors or ventilation ducts of a public building. With a strict interpretation of the law, it would be possible for someone smoking in their car on a public road to be ticketed because they were passing within 25 feet of a building.

Individual smokers can be fined $100.oo for each violation. Under the legislation, business owners must enforce the law or be subject to fines themselves. If they do not, they get a single warning and can then be charged $100.00 for each day they allow violations of the law on their premises.

"To that you can add a contempt-of-court fine that a court might impose for deliberately not complying with the law," said Phil Brenneman, director of the civil enforcement section of the Seattle City Attorney's Office.

"I think it will get people's attention."

Trade groups are predicting drops in business from 25% to 40%. Within three months of the ban, they predict that many smaller bars and restaurants will be going out of business.

Specifically exempt from the new legislation is all Tribal land in the state of Washington. The law is expected to be a boom for business there.
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Posted by Denny on Monday, 24-Oct-2005

Hi both my wife and myself both smoke 100's. My wife has an Exell,and if she stuffs it just right she can make a almost full 100 mm cigarette. I was wondering if there is any way that the spoon travel length can be lengthened, either buy adjustment or by modification. Has anybody ever checked this out?

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Re: Exell Spoon length adjustments

Posted by Denny on Monday, 24-Oct-2005

Let me rephrase that! Is there any way I can adjust the timing on the exell?

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Re: Exell Spoon length adjustments: Posted by Dave L on Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005
For an earlier release there's the Filterless mod. For a later release you can file down the release post.

There's really nothing you can do to make better 100's on the the Excel. Delaying the release would decrease filter-end void but increase tip void. The tobacco chamber on the Excel is smaller and deeper in the machine (its harder to increase the plug length by pushing tobacco into the nozzle) than on the Supermatics.
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Top's new injector

Posted by Tom on Tuesday, 04-Oct-2005

if any of you on the east coast have seen it, is it the Premier Supermatic with a different label? thanks for your input.

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Re: Top's new injector: Posted by Warren on Tuesday, 04-Oct-2005
The new Top-o-Matic has now entire section with review & discussion:

[link]

I have it and I find it overall quite superior to Suprematic Premier (or Excel Platinum which I also got for backup of SP). While ToM is a very close clone of SP, it is significantly improved in the key problematic areas for the SP (the blade and chamber gunking with moist tobaccos and the difficulty in cutting on chamber overflow with rougher cut tobaccos). It does have few warts on minor, non-functional aspects. For things that matter, the speed and the maintance free predictable, reliable operation with any tobacco you put in, it is a much better one of the two. I use it daily as the sole stuffer and no mechanism cleanups or lubractions were needed as yet (since the end of August when I got it).
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Try the new Exell if you do King Size and you will use your Supermatic for a door stop

Posted by Tom on Saturday, 01-Oct-2005

I recieved my shipment of the new Excel (dark blue) on Wednesday and sold out by friday. If you are in to King-size i think they have got it right with the Excel. it beats the supermatic hands down.

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Re: Try the new Exell if you do King Size and you will use your Supermatic for a door stop

Posted by Warren on Sunday, 02-Oct-2005

I looked online stores and can't see the dark blue Excel. Where are they being sold?

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Re: Try the new Exell if you do King Size and you will use your Supermatic for a door stop: Posted by Kev on Sunday, 02-Oct-2005
I only see a picture of a blue one on Premier's website. It looks like the old one. Most likely, retailers will deplete their "old" inventory before they get the blue one.

Personally, I enjoy my Excel over the Supermatic. I bought the Excel around Feb/Mar 2005 and have never had to clean it or replace any worn parts. I'd like to hear what makes the Excel new and improved other than the color blue.
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Re: Try the new Exell if you do King Size and you will use your Supermatic for a door stop: Posted by Erwin on Sunday, 02-Oct-2005
There is one on Ebay [link]
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Re: Try the new Exell if you do King Size and you will use your Supermatic for a door stop: Posted by FreqZ on Monday, 24-Oct-2005
I would have to agree here. After owning a Supermatic Premier, I recently just got fed up with constantly having to take the thing apart and clean it not to mention it never would pack to the end of the tube, it would always leave a little gap that I'd have to pack down myself.

My Local shop here had the New Blue Exel's on sale for 24 bucks so I bought it. Came home and started rolling. All I can say is WOW! I'll be cleaning up my supermatic and selling it on ebay and buying another exel as a backup.
Right out of the box fast to toll and it packs them to the end, No need to tap them down.

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Supermatic and speed

Posted by Zippy on Monday, 26-Sep-2005

Someone wrote that they doubted that anyone could actually manufacture 200 cigarettes an hour with a Supermatic.

I have been using a Supermatic for about 2 years now and I love it. I hooked it to a shelf board, then put dowel pins in the board. This slips into holes I drilled into my work bench so the whole thing can be taken off when not in use.

With this set up I can use the hand that I normally use to hold the Supermatic down with, and use it to prepare the next stuff.

I timed myself this weekend. I made 387 in 60 minutes.

It can be done.

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Posted by Kev on Tuesday, 27-Sep-2005

I use both a Supermatic and an Excel. I'm usually sitting at the kitchen bar watching TV or carrying on a conversation so it's "mindless" stuffing. I usually stuff 6 packs (Smokey 18-pack) in 30 minutes at an easy pace so 200 per hour isn't hard. Now 387 an hour is some serious stuffing. Perhaps you can patent yourself as an assembly line?

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Posted by Zippy on Tuesday, 27-Sep-2005

Patant myself? I'LL BE STINKIN RICH!

Seriously though. When I first got the machine I think I got a lemon. Being the Son of a farmer, I saw that the design of the machine made sense so I took it apart, discovered a few manufacturing flaws, did a tune up and a good sharpening and WOW!, it was like night and day.

I normally stuff while I can listen to Kim Komando's computer show, or while listening/watching a ball game.

The workbench modification was incredible. I stuff so many in one hours time that I can go several weeks without having to touch the machine.

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Posted by David Wilson on Tuesday, 27-Sep-2005

Hello Zippy! I sure would appreciate a step by step eMail (davida01@earthlink.net) copy of the The workbench modification you done to your Premier machine.. I do enjoy mine, but I also believe it could use a few improvements to its design..

.. Thank's David ..

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Posted by Zippy on Tuesday, 27-Sep-2005

I posted it on another webpage. It is located here.

This is a pic of the completed item.

Hope this helps.

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Supermatic and humidity, revisited

Posted by Warren on Tuesday, 27-Sep-2005

It looks useful. Now, you need to make it work with a pedal, so you can use both hands to work in parallel.

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Re: Supermatic and speed: Posted by Zippy on Tuesday, 27-Sep-2005
I actually tried that with a machine I bought off of eBay. A machinist buddy of mine used an old treadle sewing machine, got the right gears etc. Problem was, It didn't make the process any quicker, but man, did that setup get some laughs!!!!!!
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Re: Supermatic and speed: Posted by Ralph on Tuesday, 27-Sep-2005
Nice work Zippy! I was contemplating a desk with a recessed area that would snuggly fit the machine. Your design looks much more sturdier and convenient in terms of crank. I can make about 280 an hour. I don't tap, just pinch if necessery and pack with my finger. Your instructions are great and I think have a wack at it.
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Posted by Kerry on Tuesday, 05-Jul-2005

There has been MUCH said and posted about having your tobacco at the "correct" humidity for proper stuffing with the Supermatic.

Not much has been said about the more humid months of the year. Here in the south (Alabama in my case) the humidity can be at or near 100% frequently even when the temperature is acceptable or even comfortable.

During these times I like to open my windows and place fans in them to get fresh air and reduce the smokeiness of my home. Until recently, I never had a device to measure humidity, so I could not correlate the effects directly to my problems stuffing with the Supermatic.

Now, I have 3 such devices and have noticed that even when my tobacco is at a relatively low humidity (50% or lower) and the humidity of the air in my home is high, I have severe problems stuffing! I have tested this by stuffing several packs with the A/C on and then opening the windows, placing the fans in them for about 30 minutes and then attempting to stuff with the same tobacco which is in a sealed container to control the humidity of the tobacco.

Without fail, I start having problems stuffing immediately, even though the tobacco itself is still showing a humidity of 50% or less.

Just thought I would put this out there to consider. Areas with much lower average humidity will probably not have this problem, but for those of you in areas of high humidity keeping your tobacco at the right RH level will not guarantee proper stuffing. Your A/C must be able to control the ambient humidity as well!

Another thought I had recently was to use a wax to help keep tobacco from sticking to the surfaces of the cutter on the Supermatic. Not sure which to use, but I will probably try a (sp) "carnuba" wax as I believe it is natural. I am not sure about using polymer waxes because I am not sure what might be in them, but I think they would most likely "seal" the metal surfaces better and cause the tobacco to release more readily. Just a thought...

I sure wish there was something out there better than the Supermatic or at least as good but not so picky about cut and humidity!!! Until that item comes along...

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More Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited: Posted by Kerry on Tuesday, 05-Jul-2005
Forgot to mention that I don't have any problems stuffing during the cooler, less humid months. In fact I have to rehydrate a little during those times.

For now, I have taken to placing some of my tobacco in the refrigerator in order to get the humidity level down below 50%. This works to a point, but if my ambient humidity is higher than, say, 60%, I start having problems.

I own 2 Supermatics. There are DEFINITE differences in quality between the 2 machines. The space between the cutter (top and bottom) and the housing are noticeably larger in my newer machine than the older one. The older one went several months without much of a problem. The newer one was a problem right out of the box.

As I said before, until something better comes along... hopefully SOON! As good as the Supermatic is, it is WAY TOO PICKY about cut and humidity! In conditions where I can't even use the Supermatic, I can ALWAYS use a hand held machine to make quality smokes even if it is slower. Sorry for the rant...
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Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited

Posted by Dave L on Wednesday, 06-Jul-2005

What are the "severe problems" you are having when stuffing in a 100% RH environment?

Carnauba would be the wax to try. Its natural and the hardest wax you can get. I don't know how readily available it is without additives. My Carnauba floor wax has petroleum distillates in it.

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Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited

Posted by Kerry on Wednesday, 06-Jul-2005

The tobacco sticks to the cutter, gums up under the cutter, jams the machine even though it is definitely not over filled, makes loosely packed or half packed cigs, requires cleaning the cutter after nearly every cig.

Choose one or a combination or all of the above. Although the tobacco is very dry, the ambient humidity causes the machine to act as if the tobacco was very moist.

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Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited: Posted by Kev on Wednesday, 06-Jul-2005
I'll agree with Kerry on the cutter problems and the varying quality of the Premier. I'm on my 2nd Premier and if I'm able to stuff a carton without having to completely tear it down, I'd be lucky. I now only use the Premier to stuff 100s for the spouse but neither Premier has ever fully stuffed a 100 tube.

I began using my first Excel around Feb and it has never been cleaned. I did open the back this past weekend out of curiosity. Yes, it's made out of 99% plastic and I prefer to call it's "cutter" a "shredder". I believe the cheap shredder and it's single action is why it's very forgiving of the tobacco cut and humidity. It has always fully stuffed my 1+ pack-a-day king size tubes. Maybe I have the only perfect Excel and I'll have problems with my next Excel. My only complaint is the hidden nozzle but after stuffing several packs, I can find it with my eyes closed.

I still prefer the Premier over those $3 sliding stuffers but I'm much happier stuffing with the Excel. There are two reasons why I tried the Excel. One was due to the non-existent availability of an inexpensive, one piece, flip-top, plastic cigarette case (thank you Smoky). The other was the quality of Premier/ZigZag tubes degrading (varying diameter, tubes not glued to the filter, etc).
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Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited

Posted by DOUG1802 on Sunday, 06-May-2007

TRY BEE'S WAX, AVAILABLE AT WOODWORKING SHOPS

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Posted by Dave L on Sunday, 06-May-2007

Beeswax is too soft, tobacco will cling to it. Kerry's complaint was cutter gumming. The new plastic cutter/compressor should take care of that better than any wax.

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Posted by mike c on Sunday, 06-May-2007

I was musing over this, and saw he was responding under an Excel post, which lead me to go off believing he was referring to plastic parts (no Excel experience)(imagining it's plastic in there)
which led me all the way back to like 2002, running into a fellow stuffer in the transit system, and his telling me he put wax on his injector
and YES Dave, no-one will need the bee's wax to have the bee's knees when the machine has the plastic compressor

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Posted by Dave L on Sunday, 06-May-2007

Clicking the 'parent' link at the bottom of his post takes you to the post he replied to (Which I think would be the great great grandparent of this post :-)

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RBA and the Supermatic

Posted by mike c on Sunday, 06-May-2007

ahhhhh
yes, silly me, the matrix....I did understand you and now I understand (that part) of it.
I just can't see how any "goup" of any real type would help gunking
I am glad I don't seem to have that problem with any of my machines

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Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited - Wax: Posted by Dave L on Monday, 07-May-2007
Carnauba is actually a pretty hard wax. Its typically used on floors and wood furniture. You apply a thin coat, let it dry and then buff it out. The end result is physically (thin/dry/nonstick) similar to dry lubes.

While I've used Carnauba and it works, I haven't used any kind of lubrication (though I suppose my plastic setscrew cutter mod is a form of lubrication) for a long time now. A bit of selective lubrication should increase the machines longevity (less wear) but a clean machine doesn't need any lubrication to function well.
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Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited - Wax: Posted by Kerry on Tuesday, 08-May-2007
Well, my "newbie", "learning curve" rants and raves have been found out! (grin)

Just a note that with more diligence in taking care of my tobacco including careful handling and attention to humidity and moisture levels, I have extremely few problems stuffing now in ALL conditions.

The 2nd Supermatic I bought as a spare was adjusted and works fine, but is still stored as I am still using the original for daily stuffing. The second one is "just in case" something happens to the first one and I have to wait on a part. That hasn't happened so far, since I bought the spare although I did break some parts on the original and have found a better way to attach the knob to the crank arm than the original since I seem to put too much pressure on it for it to last in the original implementation.

As for the carnauba wax, I never tired it. I found that a clean, well adjusted machine (never had to adjust my original machine one iota) and tobacco in good condition makes sticks with little to no problems. Cleaning the machine is only required once or twice a year. No lubricants, period.

Have a nice day!
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Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited: Posted by matt on Saturday, 13-Aug-2005
I have a supermatic also, i use zig zag tobacco and zig zag tube i find that if you remove the spring that pulls the inserting blade into the tube and use a knife to cut up the shredded tobacco into a more loose form then just add enough to fill the sides and center to the level of the cutter then crank and let ut push the cigarette off the gripper but dont uncrank the handle just tap the cigarette onto the inserting blade until it is on as far as possible then slightly pinch the end of the cigarette and slide it off the blade this works really well for me since i have problems with that spring continously breaking due to manufacturing defects. but what u gonna do right. the important part is the amount of tobacco used. the humidity never really caused me problems but the tobacco cannot be over moist when the cutter starts jamming i use a guitar pick to clean do a couple of dry runs and am ready to roll say another 15 before it jams again. hey it really beats using a stuffer right. i am currently working on a beafed up version of the supermatic with more hardned steel and heavier gauged components that hopefully will last longer and maybe more automatic also
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Re: Supermatic and humidity, revisited: Posted by Tim Aydt on Saturday, 03-Sep-2005
I posted this in the storage forum, but will share the short verision here.

Last nite I dried my tobacco by putting it in the fridge for forty-five minutes. Worked like a charm.
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Posted by Runs with Scissors on Friday, 29-Apr-2005

It is good that RBA will continue to manufacture the blue and gold machines. Currently, the only change to be made is in the packaging.
The blue Supermatic, while still being among the best crank machines available, could be greatly improved by the following modifications:
A) replace the plastic crank bushing (p/n 37) with something more robust like brass.
B) change the angle of the crank motion to allow a better hold on the machine's base.
C) replace the H-Link nuts (p/n 13) with a knurled surface allowing the user an easier means to obtain "finger tightness".
D) replace the cutter (p/n 47) with a more substantial alloy-possibly brass.
E) re-engineer the spoon (p/n 39) to something more durable, particularly where the metal meets plastic.

These changes are a "wish list" as I would continue to prefer the blue machine over any crank machine on the market. But the noted changes would produce a more durable machine that's even easier to operate. The changes could also allow a longer warranty period.

Bill

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Re: RBA and the Supermatic

Posted by Kev on Friday, 29-Apr-2005

Good points. After 1.5 years of use, mine is similar to a vehicle with 200k miles...kind of sloppy. The king/100 selector's rivet broke where it's attached to the bottom of the tobacco tray. Maybe you should start an after-market business selling repair/upgrade kits? It would be nice if RBA where to invest a little time in upgrading the quality/durability and not just the packaging.

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Re: RBA and the Supermatic: Posted by Runs with Scissors on Friday, 29-Apr-2005
I have to admit that I thought about it. But with Arbro rebuilding Supermatics for $27 (freight included), I don't think there is a marketplace. A good example is the member here that sells the offset crank kit. His manufacturing costs are almost as much as Arbro's rebuild and he's not making a profit. The improved item('s)on my list that would cost the most would likely be the crank bushing and the proposed brass blade. The key is in the numbers produced. 5000 parts would cost substantially less than say 100 to 1000.
Arbro, however, rebuilds machines to stock configuration so they aren't improving anything. What your'e going to end up with is a rebuilt machine that lasts only as long as the original machine.
I think the Supermatic is the best crank machine on the market. It sells for somewhere between $40 and $50US. Unfortunately, it has some wear issues that could be cheaply sorted out in the materials/manufacturing process.
I would happily spend $70 to $100 on an improved Supermatic that had an extended lifetime.
If I held the patent and manufacturing rights to the Supermatic,I would produce a superior machine using the existing configuration with improved key parts.
I don't think thats going to happen.

Bill

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Re: RBA and the Supermatic: Posted by Tim Aydt on Friday, 29-Apr-2005
While I agree that some improvements to the Supermatic line would be nice, I would like to point out that when you beef up one part to make it more durable, you will increase the wear on the co-responding part. I don't think that a brass crank bushing would cause much problem, but after considering a steel cutter, I realized that it might cause undo wear on the housing.

Be glad that the parts that do wear out are cheap and easy to replace.

By the way, my vintage Premier had an all metal spoon. It appears that someone cranked the handle when there was something in the way. The solid metal has no give and the spoon was irrepairably bent.
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Answers from Robert Burton Associates, Ltd.

Posted by Tim Aydt on Monday, 04-Apr-2005

A little over a week ago, I determined to contact someone at Robert Burton Associates, Ltd. After an extensive web search, the only information I could find was that RBA also distributes EZ-Wider rolling papers, and Joker papers and products. So, I went to the Joker contact page and asked if someone at RBA could contact me, to answer questions regarding the Premier Line. I, promptly, received a reply from Kevin Dunn, the Executive Director Trade Marketing, at Robert Burton Associates, Ltd. He was very helpful and kind. The following is a distillation of our exchange:

TA - Perhaps you could explain the relationship between Imperial Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco Canada, CTC Canada, Efka Canada and Efka Germany?

KD - RBA is owned by Imperial Tobacco out of the UK, there is no association to Imperial Tobacco Canada. As for CTC Canada and both Efka companies they too are owned by Imperial Tobacco UK.

TA - Will RBA continue to produce the Premier Supermatic, Supermatic II and Excel cigarette machines? Will there be any changes or modifications in these machines? Are there any plans for expanding the marketing of these machines? Does RBA intend to continue the development of a tobacco hopper for the Premier Supermatic? Is there a possibility of a Premier Supermatic designed for a smaller diameter tube? 6.5mm? 7.8mm?

KD - Yes, RBA will continue to manufacture all three Supermatic Machines. As for changes to these machines, no changes are planned to mechanical functions; however appearance on the Excel will be updated. In addition, we have some exciting things to come in the future. We have redesigned the packaging for all three to give them a more consistent and cohesive appearance.

TA - Which lines of tubes will be continued, which lines will be eliminated, and what changes in the continuing tube lines can we expect to see in the near future? Say, maybe a line of Joker tubes?

KD - RBA produces Premier, Rizla, El Rey and Club cigarette tubes. There are no plans to discontinue any of the aforementioned product lines in the near future.

TA - Will we see any price increases in the near future?

KD - I can't speak for our customers (retailers) but, RBA does not have any price increases planned in the near future.

TA - Does RBA distribute the Smoky cigarette cases? If so, can we expect to see them sized to accommodate 100mm cigarettes?

KD - Yes RBA distributes the Smoky cigarette cases. Currently there are no plans to expand to meet 100mm format, however we offer 100mm format in other cigarette cases.

TA - Will Arbro, Inc. continue to handle parts and warranty service for the Premier Supermatic, Supermatic II, and Excel machines. Or, are they temporary during the transition?

KD - Arbro Inc. is our Service Center for the table-top machines and no they are not temporary by any means. They are a professional group with years of experience repairing the Supermatic Machines. We plan on keeping them around for a while.

TA - And finally, could you please help put an end to the rumor that the rings on cigarette tubes are where the paper is impregnated with saltpeter and/or gunpowder?

KD - As for the rumors you refer to, this is the first that I was aware of them, and they are unfounded.

I would like to thank Kevin for taking the time to answer these questions. It would seem that the Premier lines are in good hands.

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Re: Answers from Robert Burton Associates, Ltd.: Posted by Kurt Wall on Wednesday, 06-Apr-2005
Tim,

Thanks for taking the time to chase this down. I'm reassured that RBA will continue to take care of the Premier machines.

Kurt
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Re: Answers from Robert Burton Associates, Ltd.: Posted by Ralph on Saturday, 09-Apr-2005
I'm really interested in the hopper. I can envision using an electric motor should I live long enough to get arthritis.
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The status of CTC????

Posted by Tim Aydt on Thursday, 24-Mar-2005

Ron Reed stated, "Consolidated Tube Co. and Supermatic machines (both have been sold to R J Burton distributors)"

A web search for R J Burton yields nothing. Nor does Consolidated Tube Co. www.premiersupermatic.com remains unchanged with no new info, and http://www.clintontubeusa.com is gone.

Is anyone making Supermatics any more? How about their tubes? We may be using up warehouse stock and suddenly find out that they are just gone. Does Imperial Tobacco still own the rights? Did they sell both the injector side and the tube side? Or did they split them up and retain the tube production?

This really bothers me, because we could wake up one day and find that SYO is dead because a megacorp decided the profit margin just wasn't enough. Imperial Tobacco strikes me as the type of company that would stop production and sit on the patents in hope of increasing cigarette sales.

CTC allowed us to have options when choosing tubes. With out them we will be left with, basically, Gizeh and ZigZag. And without the Premier Supermatic, let's face it, SYO is dead.

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Re: The status of CTC????: Posted by Dave L on Thursday, 24-Mar-2005
Ron got some names wrong. Imperial Tobacco bought Clinton Tube Company. The US arm of Imperial Tobacco is Robert Burton Associates.

I'd bet Imperial bought CTC primarily to add the Supermatic machines to its portfolio. All that's changed on the machine front is the companies owner.

Some changes in tubes have taken (will take) place because Imperial also owns ElRey, Rizla, and Club (there's a couple threads in the Tubes forum).
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Re: The status of CTC????: Posted by Joe on Friday, 01-Apr-2005
http://www.premiersupermatic.com/products.html
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electric injectors

Posted by Dan on Saturday, 05-Feb-2005

says Gizeh's Stuhlmuller. "I caution everyone about electric injectors as a quick way to open the door for more government control and taxation."

http://www.smokeshopmag.com/1204/trend.htm

Scary but probably true!

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Re: electric injectors: Posted by Kev on Saturday, 05-Feb-2005
Someone had posted on this site awhile back that their state (Maryland?) was charging around $10 for the SYO tubes. They found it easier to tax the tubes rather than the tobacco.

I've always though that once SYO/RYO grabbed a certain percentage of the market, the states would notice and try to tax.
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Clinton Tube Parts

Posted by Dave in Pgh on Wednesday, 02-Feb-2005

I tried all CTC phone numbers this morning and they were all disconnected. After finally getting to someone in Canada I was told they no longer sell parts. It is being done by a distributer in New York. Arbro Inc. Phone no is 518-834-3038. They have a web site but at this time you can't place an order online. www.arbroinc.com. I bought cutters for the Excel and they were the same price as at CTC ($3.50). I wasn't told and didn't think to ask the shipping cost.

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Re: Clinton Tube Parts: Posted by Dave in Pittsburgh on Saturday, 05-Feb-2005
Just ordered Wednesday and parts are here today (Saturday). That beats what CTC used to do.
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Re: Clinton Tube Parts: Posted by George on Wednesday, 09-Mar-2005
Just to let everyone know, you can now order parts on-line @ arbroinc.com Their is a $5.00 S/H charge on all parts orders. We do ship all parts withen 48 hrs, however, most orders go out withen 24 hrs.
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Premier Supermatic® with Motor Accessory

Posted by Dan on Friday, 10-Dec-2004

Another souped up Supermatic with a motor and a high price tag.

[Dead link removed. Detroit Tobacco has discontinued it.]

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Posted by Kurt Wall on Sunday, 12-Dec-2004

Holy cow! For $300, I can turn the crank myself.

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Posted by Kev on Sunday, 12-Dec-2004

Same thought here. Doing some searches you'll find someone mentioning the MackRoller back in 2000. Makes me wonder why I can't find any postings anywhere on the pros/cons.

While I've only stuffed for a year, many base tobaccos vary in shred/texture consistency in a one pound bag. I can accommodate these variances when filling my Premier and sometimes adjust after a downward crank based upon the "feel". Granted you wouldn't dump the bottom of a bag into one of these automated stuffers but it makes me wonder how well they would work.

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Re: Premier Supermatic® with Motor Accessory: Posted by Greg Bishop on Tuesday, 06-Dec-2005
It works till it breaks. By abusive schitzophrenic mother in law broke it after about a month. The welds are poor, and the overall construction is fairly fragile. Which is a shame, because with a better mounting plate and metal cupport for the motor it would be very sturdy. I've had to have it repaired once already.
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Posted by Kenneth Seals on Monday, 23-May-2005

I tried this one from detroit tovacco and returned, did'nt pack right, always braking turns out they made a cheap copy of the mackroller. I bought the mackroller works like the supermatic one cigarette at a time but I have done a pack in 3 minutes and it is problem free so far. Highly recommend!

http://www.webbspot.com/mackroller

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