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Tech Article #6 - Irvan-Smith’s Shrinker/Stretcher Cleaning Tips

by Kevin Smith
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Cleaning the jaws of your shrinker/stretcher on occasion really does help, but there often needs to be more maintenance done to further the life of these tools.  Blowing out the jaws frequently with an air hose is OK, but it doesn’t do the job thoroughly.  The best way is to occasionally disassemble the jaws completely and clean as follows:

  1. Remove cover/jaw assembly (loosen four (4) thumb screws).
  1. Take out upper jaws and V-block as a single assembly.  BE CAREFUL!!! Don’t lose spring between jaws!!!
  1. Remove suspension spring.
  1. Notice how the jaws are inserted – there is a small jaw opposite a larger jaw, top to bottom.
  1. Clean two (2) jaws with carbon tet and a file card (brush).  DO NOT USE WIRE BRUSH OR WIRE STEEL!!!
  1. Always brush in direction of the teeth (with the grooves).
  1. Clean V-block.
  1. Reassemble jaws and set aside.
  1. After removing the two (2) screws at the lower end of the cover, remove bottom jaws by lifting and taking out as a single unit with V-block clean.
  1. Replace jaws.  Be careful to locate large jaw opposite small jaw – when replacing V-block, radius corners face front.
  1. Oil jaws LIGHTLY when NOT in use for extended periods.
  1. DON’T FORGET TO CLEAN JAWS AFTER EVERY JOB!!!

***KEEP A COPY OF THIS PAGE WITH YOUR EQUIPMENT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!!!

This article was published on Tuesday March 20, 2007.
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Products related to this article:
Irvan-Smith SHT-09-RJ-71 Shrinker Jaw Assembly
Irvan-Smith SHT-09-RJ-71 Shrinker Jaw Assembly
Irvan-Smith SHT-09-RJ-82 Stretcher Jaw Assembly
Irvan-Smith SHT-09-RJ-82 Stretcher Jaw Assembly