Help Underpinner issues

[ArtCrafters]

We are pretty new to framing so please bear with us/me if I sound like a noobie. We have an Alpha 3 machine pneumatic underpinner. It just recentley started to give us trouble. It will push up 2 staples at a time and sometimes jam the mechanism. My thoughts are that we possibly may have the wrong size staples. I did some maintenance on it last night and cleaned it up as much as I could. It is smoother, but still has the jamming problem. We have no manual on this and any information we find is in Italian. I just wondering if anyone has had issues like this and if you could share any solutions that may help. Thank you.

 

[JbNormandog]

You may have the vnails in upside down.

Try flipping them over.


Bob

 

[Jim Miller]

If it is a used underpinner, maybe your driving pin or driving head (the square block) is worn to the point that it needs replacement.

If your machine is made by Alphamacchine in Italy, then it may be the European equal to one of the ITW/AMP underpinners popular in the USA.

Check the web sites for similar-loking ITW/AMP underpinners, which may show similar machines.

If you care to describe the machine and its features, maybe we can help you identify a similar underpinner for wgich English instructions are available.

 

[CB Art & Framing]

Make sure to clean off any excess glue near head.
Also, there are 2 width (not height) nails. Some are 10.5mm some 11mm. The wrong size can cause jams.

 

[cjones1344]

If you have a machine that is comparable to a ITW Amp as someone mentioned, it sounds like you have the nails upside down to me. I know someone already said that, but I was having the exact same issues as you and it turned out that the guy who sold me the machine and taught me to use it told me to put the nails in the wrong way. The nails need to be inserted with the adhesive side up.

It could also be the changeable head piece (I don't know what its called, you have a 7mm, 10mm, 15mm etc). I'm not really sure how they can get damaged but my 10mm jams every time; my 7mm and 15 mm work fine.

 

[Rick Granick]

I'm not really sure how they can get damaged but my 10mm jams every time; my 7mm and 15 mm work fine.

You might try switching from the "pulling power" vnails to the generic ones from V-Nail.Com. My 7mm used to jam constantly, but since switching to these fasteners I've had zero problems.
:kaffeetrinker_2: Rick
Also, take off the interchangeable guide block and remove the v-nail strip. Thoroughly clean all parts in this area, reinstall the guide block, and and flip the vnail loading pushrod into position with no nails in place. Step on the pedal and hold it down, which will keep the driving pin fully raised so you can scrape off any dried glue that may have accumulated. Then reload v-nails, making sure no debris has fallen into the firing area. You should be good to go.