Tube Release Timing
If you're getting a void at the filter end of the tube your machine may not be properly adjusted. My old Supermatic and Top-O-Matic worked great out of the box, my Supermatic II was seriously out of adjustment and my new Supermatic was releasing a little too early. Before adjusting the tube release timing, check the tube gripper.
For King size smokes crank your machine until you feel it contact (no more) the tube release (you'll feel a bump near the end of the stroke). The measurement between spoon tip and machine body should be the same as (or a tad more than) the measurement of the spoon base to tip. When those measurements are equal, the machine will release the tube when the base of the spoon is flush with the machine body and the tip of the tube.
With a stock spoon the measurement is 2-3/4"/69mm, which is the same as the inside length of a tube with a 15mm filter. Since the gripper typically is not 100% (i.e. there is a bit of slippage), the measurement between spoon tip and machine body can usually be a bit longer than the spoon length.
When the measurement between spoon tip and machine body is shorter than the spoon, the machine will release the tube before the spoon base is flush with the tip of the tube and filter-end voids are a possibility (likely when using tubes with 15mm filters).
If you're getting torn tubes and the release measurement equals the spoon length, you probably have tobacco protruding from the tips (no filter end voids, its the tobacco - too much and/or too moist - in that case). This is most common with long filtered tubes. Using a shorter spoon and less tobacco (left end of the chamber) will give you better results than an earlier release.
A quick and easy thing to try, when using king size tubes, is to move the cigarette size setting to 100's. This delays the tube release timing and may help in reducing filter end voids. If your tubes are tearing (e.g. tubes with long filters), try the regular setting (earlier release).
Comments [ new ]
- Re: Tube Release Timing
- Posted by BERNADETTE on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012
HELLO,
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i've had my top o matic for 1 1/2 yrs....i love it!...took it apart to clean at beginning of yr.....well once again i have taken my machine apart and have it back together the right way..BUT..needs adjusting where it holds on filter(gripper),,i just can't get it right!!!!help!(not been able to use for almost a month)
- Re: Supermatic Adjustment
- Posted by Mary on Saturday, 30-Jul-2005
I just got my Supermatic II last week. Had made cigarettes with a space by the filter. After many attempts I finally got the spoon adjusted to 2-3/4". But, yes there is a but, now the
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tab that sticks up on the H link pushes under the release adjuster. It makes wonderful cigarettes, no empty spaces and very little tobacco sticking out the end. But I am worried this may cause problems later on. Or it might be putting tension or strain on the H link. Any advise??? You can email me at mfagan@alliancelink.com
Thanks
- Re: Supermatic Adjustment
- Posted by Dave L on Saturday, 30-Jul-2005
The bolt post is noticeably smaller than the slot in the release plate. If you always hold the plate counter-clockwise against the post its easier to adjust and you'll get more clearance. You can also grind/file the plate a bit shorter to prevent interference (e.g. the plate in the picture).
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- Re: Stuffing HowTo
- Posted by Dave s on Thursday, 10-Jun-2004
Hello Everyone....
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I wonder if any one can help me with adjusting my blue supermatic? When injecting a king size tube, I get about a 1/4" of tobacco sticking out of the tube. I have measured the spoon after contacting the tube release, it's at 2 3/4".
Is there a wat to adjust the timing of the tube release? I use mostly D&R Two Timer and Cockstrong tobacco with Escort or Vera Cruz tubes. I dont think i'm using too much or too moist tobacco. I am very happy with the MYO system. I can make a smoke better than pre-made cigarette for about $10 a carton (a savings of $25). Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
- Re: Stuffing HowTo
- Posted by Tim Aydt on Thursday, 10-Jun-2004
As long as there is no gap by the tube, there is really nothing you can do about it. This extra bit of tobacco is inherent to the fact that the machine also makes 100's. The tobacco chamber must be long enough to fill a 100mm tube and this does not change when you set it for kingsize. Some people use scissors to clip off the extra tobacco. I just pinch it off with my fingers and throw it back into the tobacco chamber.
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The tube release is there to keep from tearing the tube when it is full.
- Re: Stuffing HowTo
- Posted by Runs with Scissors on Tuesday, 03-May-2005
I roll only 100's and adjusted the cam that operates the tube release on my Supermatic to a point where it doesn't rock it at all.
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The tube is released when I bring the crank upwards and open the cutter blade.
This corrected the problem with the gap in front of the filter and fills the tube to it's tip.
I'm now getting better cigarettes than when I was attempting to set the tube release timing and packing tobacco at the ends of the trough.
Bill
- Re: Stuffing HowTo
- Posted by Ralph on Thursday, 05-May-2005
I have found that the 100 setting on the machine works better for making kings than the "kings" setting. Go figure. I never have a gap at the filter and it seems to leave less tobacco hanging out on the end. I usually just push any loose tobacco on the end into the cig with my thumb or forefinger.
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I haven't messed with adjusting the settings but it looks like there are screws in there that allow tweaking.
- Re: Stuffing HowTo
- Posted by andrew on Thursday, 01-Jun-2006
Adjusting the tube release increased my output from 15 rolled per 10 mins with lots of tapping, to 20 in 10 mins. Great tip.
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