In order to insure an even and uninterrupted flow of paste to the labels, be sure the paste is free from all foreign matter such as hard dried paste, lumps or scale which accumulates in the various paste containers used for shipping or mixing. Another frequent source of dry paste is the lap paste pot itself which is not kept free of foreign matter because of exposure to the air or lack of cleanliness. All Model V paste pots are furnished with the paste supply jar so that the paste can be kept as air tight as possible at all times. If the jar breaks, replacement jars can be bought at any corner grocery.

MIXING PASTE. The mixing of the lap paste is very important. Mix it in a large enough container such as a two gallon can which should be filled about two-thirds (2/3) full of paste just as it usually comes from the manufacturer. It should be stirred briskly to see if it will thin out and if not a little water at a time should be added and stirred in thoroughly until it has a heavy creamy consistency or at least thin enough to run from a stick. The paste should be poured into the paste pot until it fills to the center of the top drive shaft in the pot. The paste supply jar should then be filled and the cap screwed on, being sure that the rubber washer is included in the cap. The jar should be tipped into place in the hole in the paste pot lid and if the paste is of the right consistency, it will flow through the lid valve and keep the paste in the pot at the right level at all times. If the paste does not flow, it probably is too thick and should be thinned out.

PASTE BELT. When replacing a worn out rubber or wire paste belt with a new one, remove the paste scraper retainer NLE-3165 with the old belt still in it. Be very careful in removing this assembly since it must be unhooked from the paste bead adjusting scraper NLE-3176R, by lifting the assembly up as high as possible and forcing the scraper out from under the belt. Then proceed to remove the scraper base NLE-3131R, including the top pressure scraper and the old belt.

The following steps should be taken in installing the new belt. Hold the scraper retainer with the slot and six screw holes facing up then slip it down on top of the belt on the left. Now replace the scraper base with the four corner screws and tighten them. Insert the side pressure scraper with the smooth side back and the top pressure scraper offset side out. Just start the screws in place without tightening them. The assembly is now ready to install in the paste pot. Again, be sure to hook the paste feed scraper in place with the notch down and fasten the assembly in place and put the belt on its respective pulleys. Tighten it by using about half the slot in the tension arm NLE-3222A.

SCRAPERS. Before the scrapers can be set, it is important that there must be paste in the pot. Then turn the paste bead adjusting knob to the right as far as it will go without forcing it with a wrench or pliers. Then start the machine and push the top pressure scraper down just tight enough to allow a slight film of the paste to pass through on top and bottom of the belt. Tighten the screw. Then do the same with the side pressure scraper and tighten its screw. Now turn the adjusting knob to the left until the proper amount of paste to do the labeling passes through. NOTE: It is wise to check at this time that adjusting knob assembly is free to move in and out by the spring pressure on the inside of the pot as this is very essential in case the bead appears to get clogged up with lumpy or hard paste or bits of paper. To set the paste flowing again, simply pull the knob out a couple of times letting the spring pull it back in place thereby, cleaning the slot and allowing the proper amount of paste to pass through again. Fill the paste pot full enough for labeling as previously instructed and the labeling can proceed.

CARE OF POT. At the end of each day’s run, it is not necessary to remove the paste pot if labeling will start up again the next morning. Simply remove the paste supply jar and set it in a container in about three inches of water with the cap down thus keeping the paste moist and ready for the morning’s operation. Also, remove the paste scraper retainer assembly with the belt but do not disturb the pressure scrapers or the belt. Simply lay it all in a bucket of water and it will be clean enough in the morning to put back in the pot. Finally, take a small wood paddle and scrape all the accumulated paste around the inside of the pot down into the remaining paste and cover the whole area with a thin film of water replacing the pot covers and letting it remain this way over night. In the morning, use the wood paddle and thoroughly stir the paste that remained in the pot over night, putting the paste belt assembly back and filling the paste jar if required. After turning the pot over a few times, it should be ready for labeling.

When the machine will remain idle over weekends or longer periods of time or the paste pot is very dirty, it is best to remove it completely. To do this, remove the chain guard NLE-3112A and the paste belt tension arm NLE-3123A. Then remove the pot from the support by removing the two cap screws under the pot. Now lay the whole assembly in a container large enough to cover it completely with water for a period of at least 24 or 48 hours. This will make it easy to clean up and it will soften the paste. After cleaning, be sure to check the unit to see that all the wheels and worm turns freely by hand in their bearings. Then install the pot as it was before dismantling and the labeler is again ready for operation

See Instruction Sheet No. 17A-EV for instructions on .155" diameter wire paste belt.