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alpine and orton: this is the story so far.

updated sat 21 aug 99

 

Anji Henderson on fri 20 aug 99

------------------
Tammy =26 Terry, you may want to read this

Alpine

Well I have found out a bit of interesting information. The Alpine rep =
Ziggy,
was quite nice. Ziggy has been working there since the early seventies.

Yes everyone knows that Alpine no longer makes wheels, but may not know that
Alpine is a division of A.R.T.. Alpine Kilns (Div. Of A.R.T. Studio Clay
Company, Inc.)
1555 Louis Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(800) 323-0212
Fax (847) 593-0785

Any way, I have figured out that my wheel is most likely a VSW-DC. While
talking to Ziggy I learned a few things that I hope do not come in handy
later, but some other ClayArters have mentioned it to me.

If the wheel will not turn or stays on high, then the foot pedal needs to be
replaced. Now, if the speed control is a permanent magnet then It can be
replaced by a Brent foot pedal.

The grating sound that I am trying to get rid of or fix, Ziggy says that it
is probably that the circuit control board with the bearing=92s in it needs =
the
oil changed or refilled. Ziggy suggested that it be changed if it is gritty
or grimy. If not just top it off. And after I finished with Ziggy (don=92t =
you
love that name) I realized that I didn=92t have a clue what type of oil he =
was
talking about. So, I called my long time mechanic Paul (love the guy, known
him for almost 10 years) Well he said to use 80/90 gear oil, and that even
just straight 90 would be ok.

These are the two main problems that happen with the Alpine=92s.

Now, one part that I thought was funny, (not funny Haha) was that they will
not order parts if the circuit board is messed up. The explanation I got was
that they have to order in bulk and don=92t want that much hanging around. =
What
ever=21=21 It=92s good for me that my hubby is a computer geek. If I need =
such a
beast, I get him to make it or fix it, or rig it with something else.

Who was it that had the drip.. =3Cg=3E oh sorry, the missing drip/splash =
pan.
Ziggy said, (I had to laugh) get a galvanized oil drip pan (I suppose for =
car
changing oil) take the head off the wheel, drill a hole in the center of the
drip pan, and stick that sucker on there. Use a gasket sealer or some sort =
of
caulk so the water doesn=92t get in to the mechanism. But, don=92t ask me =
how to
clean it.. . I personally would rig some sort of valve with a hose coming
from near the lowest part of the pan. (probably fuel line you know the =
skinny
black hose, not to skinny though).

And incase you missed it or you are ME, searching blindly for any info there
is another string about Alpine=92s, by David Hendley, 8/19/99. Good info.

And the story of the Orton
Orton
Went a little differently.
Bacia, sent me some info about the =22Bad White Cones.=22 So, I called Orton
(1-800-999-5442, then ext. 22) and did find that it is Dale Fronk=92s =
number. I
got a wonderful machine. Hate those things, I like my big machine that
doesn=92t turn off on me in the middle of the sentence. So, I did not leave =
a
message, instead I called back and asked if he had an e-mail. J Big happy
grin. He did=85. Fronk=40ortonceramic.com. So I shall keep you posted.

Well, I am getting somewhere but still know nothing about Jerri Levy, or
Williamsburg clay=85.
Anji