Excel Gripper Mod
Posted by scott johnson on Wednesday, 06-Dec-2006
This modification allows a much tighter grip onto the tube.
First: take a small piece of sandpaper (or dremel tool) and roughen the curved edge of the Excel gripper. try to remove about 1/32" of material.
Second: mix up about a pea-sized amount of JB-Weld and apply a light coating to the roughened surface.
Third: Apply a small piece of rubber from a balloon onto the gripper and , using a round ink pen, squeeze the rubber into the JB-Weld to squeeze out an excess glue.
Picture shows a stock and modded gripper. sorry that the image isn't very good. also shown is the bottom of the Excel which i cut out so i could remove the bottom without removing the rubber base.
Comments [ new ]
- Excel mod
- Posted by scott johnson on Tuesday, 10-Oct-2006
I've been having trouble with tubes coming off the nozzle prematurely. I replaced the nozzle, tube gripper and small spring. checked all alignments as best I could. I pulled out the new tube gripper and roughed it up a little with my dremel tool. resulted in a barely noticeable improvement. I ended up gluing a piece of rubber from a balloon to the tube gripper face with JB Weld, then trimming off the excess. the tubes now barely release at the end of the stroke. tubes fill all the way to the filter every time. no tapping needed anymore to get that extra tobacco into the end of the tube. I can't tell yet if the spoon is hitting the filters, but i can't see any damage to the tubes. they just fill perfectly now. the ends look almost factory made. some are recessed slightly, but seem to even up after sitting around for a half hour. I can take pictures of this mod if anyone needs more detailed instructions.
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- Re: Excel mod
- Posted by Dave L on Thursday, 12-Oct-2006
That's great. I've thought of buying another Excel just to revisit the gripper issue. With the exception of the gripper and the recessed nozzle, its a great machine.
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I do wonder how long the mod will last, not much sticks well to plastic. My choice of silicone bordered on stupid, I've never used JB Weld.
- Re: Excel mod
- Posted by Hua Kul on Sunday, 22-Apr-2007
Thanks for the idea. I used super glue to attach a piece of balloon rubber and now the grip is so good I tear the paper if I'm not careful when I'm stuffing king size. The 100's work fine but I have to control the lever with the kings and stop just as I see the tube start to move a little. And if I don't stuff the chamber just right there's still a gap in front of the filter but at least this is better than it was.
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