Alpha question..

[gonzok]

I recently purchased an Alpha from the classifieds and I am wondering how much play the head of the unit is supposed to have. The top spins around freely and doesn't sound very good, you can actually remove the bolt by just unscrewing the head. Also has a slight wobble to it. I took it apart and didn't notice anything missing and have hand tightened the screw all the way. Also the black washer in the unit just falls out whenever I go to replace the battery.

Is this just the design of the unit? I wouldn't think it would have been so flimsy.

 

[cddz]

The Head has to have clearance, or it would act like a suction cup and not plunge properly. I allow for .001in play on the unit. It is amplified by the length. As far as the bolt, after it is hand tight, tighten it further 1/4 turn with a thin wall 5/16 socket.

 

[gonzok]

Ok, I went to ace looking for a socket but couldn't find one. I'll try a bigger store. I wound up replacing the black washer with a 3/8'' large rubber thing that wedges in there nice and tight. Not sure if the plastic piece is by design but it came out way too easily I would have lost that in no time.

Little quirks aside this has been my favorite unit yet. Nice and small. thanks for putting this together.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[cddz]

I speced the hole with a craftsman deep well 5/16 if that helps As far as the washer, it was made to come out easily. Imagine if that bad boy was press fit, you would never be able to remove it to clean tthe unit. The one in yours could have been on the small side and just has worn down, a piece of thin tape on the edge could solve that problem in a jiffy