easy ratchet adjustment

I have a couple of old Jay Pee cuffs, each of which had one bow dragging slightly on the ratchet pawls. They both functioned fine, except that the pawls were being pushed too low for the double lock to slide into engagement when they were near the smallest size on the affected cuff.

I wasn't sure how to adjust them without damaging the finish until I remembered an old exhaust expander I had lying around from when I was a mechanic 30 years ago. It fitted into the cuff in place of my wrist. I was able quickly and with precise control to expand them just enough to let the double locks engage freely.

I don't know how many of you have run into this problem, or for that matter have old exhaust expanders lying around your basements, but it seems worth noting. Anyone else run into this problem, and how did you deal with it?

Charlie, you may have seen this, but there's a scene where the factory adjusts new cuffs to correct the problem somewhat as you described:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh71f3be6rk

~Chuck

I have a couple of old Jay Pee cuffs, each of which had one bow dragging slightly on the ratchet pawls. They both functioned fine, except that the pawls were being pushed too low for the double lock to slide into engagement when they were near the smallest size on the affected cuff.

I wasn't sure how to adjust them without damaging the finish until I remembered an old exhaust expander I had lying around from when I was a mechanic 30 years ago. It fitted into the cuff in place of my wrist. I was able quickly and with precise control to expand them just enough to let the double locks engage freely.

I don't know how many of you have run into this problem, or for that matter have old exhaust expanders lying around your basements, but it seems worth noting. Anyone else run into this problem, and how did you deal with it?

Click to expand...

I see what you mean. I thought of putting them over the horn of an anvil and wacking them with a lead hammer, but was afraid I might end up marring the finish. The later, stainless Jay-Pees have quite a good polish.

I'm guessing they must have gotten bashed on the hinge end during a struggle to get them on someone. This is what ditched bows are supposed to prevent, I assume?

I have a couple of old Jay Pee cuffs, each of which had one bow dragging slightly on the ratchet pawls. They both functioned fine, except that the pawls were being pushed too low for the double lock to slide into engagement when they were near the smallest size on the affected cuff.

I wasn't sure how to adjust them without damaging the finish until I remembered an old exhaust expander I had lying around from when I was a mechanic 30 years ago. It fitted into the cuff in place of my wrist. I was able quickly and with precise control to expand them just enough to let the double locks engage freely.

I don't know how many of you have run into this problem, or for that matter have old exhaust expanders lying around your basements, but it seems worth noting. Anyone else run into this problem, and how did you deal with it?

Click to expand...

Hi, as an alternative method, without the wack. Depending on what type of worshop vice you may have you might be able to put the frame "c" of the cuff over the closed jawsd and screw the vice jaws open, which will srpead the frame with control.

Ian

I have a couple of old Jay Pee cuffs, each of which had one bow dragging slightly on the ratchet pawls. They both functioned fine, except that the pawls were being pushed too low for the double lock to slide into engagement when they were near the smallest size on the affected cuff.

I wasn't sure how to adjust them without damaging the finish until I remembered an old exhaust expander I had lying around from when I was a mechanic 30 years ago. It fitted into the cuff in place of my wrist. I was able quickly and with precise control to expand them just enough to let the double locks engage freely.

I don't know how many of you have run into this problem, or for that matter have old exhaust expanders lying around your basements, but it seems worth noting. Anyone else run into this problem, and how did you deal with it?

Click to expand...

That sounds very easy and effective. The vise I have is a little too big, alas, but it would be a lot simpler.

So far, I've disassembled a lock for cleaning, tightened a frame with an arbor press, now loosened one a little...the work was pretty easy, but being careful not to damage the finish was more of a challenge. I've only worked on swing-throughs, but I wouldn't mind trying to restore an older cuff in poor condition.