Chronic Jamming

[DougE]

My TOM has started jamming and only half filling tubes...it appears that the "H" link is worn and maybe even bent a slight bit (when I was new with it, I may have over-stuffed it once too often)... parts that show wear, cam, the bolt bushing, etc,etc, and h=link total $9.05.Plus $8.50 shipping equals about half of what a brand new, in the box, TOM would cost me ( $33.95 + 8.50 shipping). Is it worth repairing just to save a few $$ ?? Have most of you guys been successful with repairing them ??

Try Here for the parts you need. Most of the supermatic parts interchange with little or no modification ( with the exception of the cutter ). The H-link will take some slight fitting on the end that mounts to the case ( the holes are just slightly smaller on the SM link.) The SM spoon is longer than the one in the newer TOM machines but can be cut down easily enough.

I've ordered parts from them before and the service was great.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[rf34232]

I'd say it's a matter of preference, if you have more money than brains, get a new one. However, if you replace all the stuff you mentioned, you will have a new machine, and the fun of having performed a "high level maintenance" on your own. PRIDE....Enjoy.
I have worked on several and it always came out just fine, A Matic "C" and a Tom.

[packrat]

The jury's still out on which I have the LEAST of...brains vs. money
I DO like to tinker...IF there is at least a 51 % chance of success..at my age, I do not wanna do anything unless I have a chance of succeding (sp?)..shouldn't have to put up with frustration @ my age I hope, I hope, I hope! I've already ordered an EXP1000 from BulldogWholesale, so once it gets here I reckon I'll tear down the TOM and inspect/replace any worn parts (machine has done approx. 28-30 cartons) and give it a try. THANKS for the link to Arbro, definitely got it bookmarked

[packrat]

Being a packrat (as my name suggests) I still have the parts list that came with my TOM-only had it like 4 months..So, I marked the parts I wanted, and went to a website (PM me if you want their name),to see how their prices are WOW !! was I in for a surprize...Every part that I wanted to order was EXACTLY twice as much as they are on the Republic Tobacco parts list order form...they want $16.40 for the tamper, $ 6.00 for the spoon, etc,etc,etc....

Needless to say, I filled out the parts list that came with my machine enclosed a check, and will just wait on my parts.. no, I'm NOT trying to start anything, but rather letting any new guys that just got here, to ask questions and above all BUYER BEWARE !!

[rf34232]

I'd say, if you like to tinker, you success chance would be 99.99 in your favor. Sorry to hear about the parts fiasco, but doing a Smatic, I deal with arbro, they are very reasonable. If at all, I would buy the SM just because of the parts situation, AND I truly feel that with the plastic cutter, the SM is the better machine. I have my original since about '02 and it is going strong, no repairs at all. I have a new "C" model(gave the old one to my son) and am well pleased with it. They are both going strong. Those prices being what they are for the Tom parts, I don't even want to know where you saw them. Good Luck, and again, sorry about the faux pas re the website. Just a brain fart. LOL. CYa, Ray

[packrat]

So, my TOM was jammimg SOOOOO bad that I ordered new internals, and also ordered an EXP 100 to use 'til I got TOM o'hauled.....ran out of smokes a day or two before I got the EXP, so I had to try TOM again...The damn thing stuffed 7 packs of smokes WITHOUT jamming even once, you'd have thought it was brand new, fresh out of the box !!! What the hell is up with that ?? I did everything the same as I always did, same tubes, same tobacco,same everything . I'm NOT complaining, I'm just totally confused cause I just don't "GET IT" Is it possible that the few times I had lid off of tobacco container allowed the baccy to dry out just a wee bit- at least enough for it to work properly in the machine?? Worked out good though, cause now I have an EXP1000 that I can use for my menthols, since I like to PACK THEM F U L L, and the lil' EXP will certainly do that .

edited to correct mis-spelled words

[meflin]

So, my TOM was jammimg SOOOOO bad that I ordered new internals, and also ordered an EXP 100 to use 'til I got TOM o'hauled.....ran out of smokes a day or two before I got the EXP, so I had to try TOM again...The damn thing stuffed 7 packs of smokes WITHOUT jamming even once, you'd have thought it was brand new, fresh out of the box !!! What the hell is up with that ?? I did everything the same as I always did, same tubes, same tobacco,same everything . I'm NOT complaining, I'm just totally confused cause I just don't "GET IT" Is it possible that the few times I had lid off of tobacco container allowed the baccy to dry out just a wee bit- at least enough for it to work properly in the machine?? Worked out good though, cause now I have an EXP1000 that I can use for my menthols, since I like to PACK THEM F U L L, and the lil' EXP will certainly do that .

edited to correct mis-spelled words

My vote is humidity. I live in a very dry climate. Depending on if I use the gaskit box to its potential or am impatient to try new backy makes a large difference in how the backy stuffs.
Meflin

[packrat]

Thanks..you're probably right....I'm just glad it "started working again'......I can, without stressing out, stuff a pack of smokes every 3 1/2 minutes...pack after pack after pack, so needless to say, when it's on the fritz, I go on the fritz as well

Got my order yesterday from Republic, tore TOM apart and thoroughly cleaned it I polished the cutter with machine oil and #600 wet/dry paper..that thing is SLICK now. Replaced the arm bushing, spoon, cam and H-link..it's like having a brand new machine. I think all I really needed was the H-link and cam...they were the only parts that showed any wear whatsoever..but I figured it was better to be safe than sorry...next time I'll know exactly what I need. Thing works as smooth as it did when new