Mitre Mite VN2 Underpinner - Need help please

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johnnph18

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chicago, IL
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Framing and Moss
Hi everyone. I recently purchased an extremely old Mitre Mite VN2 that needed some TLC.

It has not been used in many years and had some rust (and cobwebs!). I have since disassembled the majority and cleaned most parts with the approriate lubricants. A tad bit of air is coming out from the pistons at the time but would/is still function normally. Now, the issue is the pin (if I am wording it correctly)- the pin does not push the v nails onto my wood boards. I have tried to disassemble (unscrewing the hex socket caps) the metal base that holds the pin, however, the screws are extremely stuck in the screw hole. I have tried wd40, air tool oil, and Dupont Lubricant Aerosol to no luck.

Can anyone give some advice to a rookie? Or even help with servicing- I am in Chicago, IL, and happy to pay.

Thank you!
 
If you mean that the hammer is not rising to make contact with the v nails when you operate the foot pedal then either:

the hammer control valve is stuck in the off position
the foot pedal vale is faulty


(or do you mean the hammer is rising correctly but not collecting a v nail to push into the moulding?)
 
Hi there, thanks so much for your response :)
Sorry, I meant the hammer.
You are correct, the hammer is rising correctly but not collecting the v nail to push into the moulding.
The metal base that has the hammer attached-it is impossible to remove the hex socket screws- not sure if its due to the age of machine (and not getting serviced), or its not supposed to be unscrewed.
 
Have you got the v nails the right way up? The side with tape should be facing upwards.

From your description I am unsure which hex screws you are referring to, if you post a photo of the offending screws then it may help with identification.
 
Should have sent a photo... here ya go.
Thanks again.
 

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Is the pneumatic push rod that holds the stack of vnails in position against the hammer backstop functioning properly? If it has inadequate pressure against the vnails, they may not be advancing into their precise firing position and are getting jammed. I had to replace that part once in my old VN2+1.
:cool: Rick
 
John- if you can pull back manually on that pushrod when it is engaged, then it has too little pressure against the vnail stack. This could be the pushrod's mechanism itself, or possibly the control valve which sends air to activate it is clogged or the o-rings have failed.
:cool: Rick
 
These machines are lubricated from the inside, and operate best when the air supply is clean, dry, and lubricated. Do you lubricate the air supply using pneumatic tool oil into the air-input port? Do you have an air filter/lubricator to condense moisture from the compressed air going into the machine?

I once picked up a spare VN2+1 underpinner that was slow and weak. All it needed was lubrication.
 
Sorry for the necro-post but it is pertinent:

How many drops of oil? The VN 2+1 manual recommends
draining excess moisture and oil when function becomes
irregular. In our case the vertical clamp has become intermittent.
Draining moisture and excess oil is job one in the morning.
I don't want to re-introduce a problem.
 
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