Complete Service Guides for your Better Packages® 333 and Phoenix® M1 Tape Machines

Dispensing Short tape Lengths

Back to 333 Service Start Page

If you pull the handle and the tape seems to skip or miss, like a car's tires spinning on ice, there are 4 causes: In Order

A. Worn Upper Feed Wheel 

B. Lower Feed Wheel Out of Adjustment

C. Worn Lower Feed Wheel

D. Bent Upper Tape Plate/Tape Binding

A. Replacing Upper Feed Wheel

Difficulty: Fairly easy.

Tools Required: 3/32 Allen Wrench/Phillips Head & Slotted Screwdriver

1.Remove Key Drum Cover & Stop Bar

2. Loosen both set screws on Upper Feed Wheel- 500MUFX (Ref PW77X)

3. Remove spring clip on Upper Feed Wheel Shaft - M200UFWSX (Ref FM49X) located just 

    inside left frame

4. Pull the Upper Feed Wheel Shaft  from left to right (pinion gear side)

NOTE: On older machines the Upper Feed Wheel may be stuck in position. 

Gently tap the Upper Feed Wheel Shaft from the right side frame. If you hit it too hard you'll flatten he end of the shaft, making it impossible to put the new feed wheel on!

If taping doesn't help, grip the feed wheel shat to the left of the feed wheel with a pair of pliers. Try turning the feed wheel with your free hand until it starts to move to the right.

5. Pull the shaft out just far enough to slide off the old feed wheel and slide 

    the new one on.

    If you remove the upper feed wheel shaft completely, be careful not to l

    oose the small spacer washers. 

6. Push the upper feed wheel shaft back through left frame

7. Push retaining clip back on the upper feed wheel shaft

8. Nest, center the new upper feed wheel with the lower feed wheel.

9. Tighten both upper feed wheel set screws.

10. Replace Key Drum

11. Test - you may still need to proceed  to Step 2 - Adjusting Lower Feed Wheel

A. Adjusting Lower Feed Wheel on Better Packages 333 see Service Figure 3

Difficulty: Fairly easy.

Tools Required: 3/32 Allen Wrench Long or T Handled

Remove tape from tape Basket

Look at the back wall, or Vertical Tie Plate (Ref FM91). You'll see a circular cut-out.

Inside, you'll see the head of a 3/32" black set screw

With the long handled Allen wrench, turn the set screw one turn clockwise

This will raise the lower feed wheel up.

Load the tape, try the feed. If the length is correct, the adjustment is good.

If the tape still slips, try raising the lower feed wheel another full turn, and so on until you get the correct tape length.

Can You Raise The Lower Feed Wheel Too High ?

Yes. If you do, you will notice that the tape is bent over  Facing the front of the machine, the tape will have a slight bend on the left side.

Why Does This Happen?

As you raise the Lower Feed Wheel you decrease the travel height of the Upper Shear. If you notice that the tape is bending over and the tape is still slipping, the Lower Feed Wheel Assy (333-FM39XX) should be replaced. Contact us. You might want to send it in for service. The frames have to be removed to replace the Lower Feed Wheel Assy. For more information on our service, click here.

Service Figure 3

Raising Lower Feed Wheel

Minimizes tape from "slipping" under feed wheel.

C. Replacing Lower Feed Wheel

Replacing the Lower Feed Wheel requires that the frames be opened. This takes patience & time. Contact us regarding replacing lower feed wheel.

D. Bent Upper Tape Plate/Tape Binding

One final area to check would be the Upper tape Plate and Tape Guides in basket. 

Upper Tape Plate - 700UTP (Ref FM12EL)

    Make sure that this plate is not bent. It should slide in & out easily. If it 

    does not, replace it. A bent Upper Tape Plate will bind or restrict the 

    tape causing short pieces to be dispensed.

Tape Guides Ref FM52B)

    Make sure the Tape Guides in the tape basket area are set to the correct

     width of the tape you are using. If they are pinching the roll of tape, this will 

    cause short pieces. Simply move the guides out to where they are not pinching

    the tape or tape roll 

If you can't find the answers here, then please feel free to call us at 1-800-899-9389. 

For more information on these models, please call us at 1-899-899-9389.

TIGERSEAL PRODUCTS sales & service

13093 Old Ridge Road

Beaverdam VA 23015

Tigerseal Products is not affiliated with MCM/Phoenix

Tigerseal Products is not affiliated with Better Packages Inc