From time to time, the spring on the self-returning tape measure becomes slightly curved or stretched, so that the tape ceases to be fully retracted into the housing by itself.
Well, you no longer need to try to insert it back (in any case, this only worsens the situation), there is a good solution, of course, provided that the case is fastened with screws.
Step One: Evaluate Roulette Before Disassembling
On the roulette master, who offers this method of roulette restoration, there were 3 screws that needed to be unscrewed in order to disassemble the roulette.
The central screw that held the clamp also held the central spring in place.
Step Two: Roulette Disassembly
Be careful when disassembling roulette. It is better not to let go of the side in which the tape roll and spring are located. One wrong move and you will have more critical problems than you had before the showdown.
So, take out the screws holding the roulette case together and hold the guide on the case so that the tape measure does not fall apart.
After all screws are removed, carefully deal with the details of the case. Try to determine which half will contain a roll of tape and a spring (it feels this part of the roulette is heavier), and place this side in the palm of one hand, and remove the other side up, as when removing the cover.
As soon as you open the case, insert a thumb or some stick over the roll so that it does not jump out forward.
If your roulette is of a different brand or model, then it can be built a little differently. So pay attention to how they are installed and arranged: locks, lock, strap, etc. Otherwise, you will have to study how this roulette works and think what came from.
As soon as you collect the entire contents of the body into one or the other half, holding the roll firmly, hold the end of the tape and gently pull it. It should go outside, as if you were unwinding a tape. But since the roll is held by the thumb, it does not turn and unwinds, but is pulled.
After a few centimeters, rewind the roll again. Hold the end to tighten.
Repeat this step several times, and in the end, you will not be able to pull the tape. It is at this stage that you need to stop and assemble all the parts together.
By the way: if someone ever pulled the “spring-loaded” roller blinds, this is a very similar technique.
The spring should become more stressed.
Carefully put it all together and you will have an updated roulette that you want to throw out.
Step Three: Problems and Solutions.
Be careful that the spring mechanism does not pop out (or the roll of metal tape does not come off of its pin).
Make sure that you put on the strap before closing the case, otherwise you will have to open it again (provided that you still need the strap
) There is nothing more depressing than the need to redo everything, because the belt was forgotten (first picture).The second figure shows the place where the end of the roulette should be. But in its place there is a gap. The tape holding sleeve was not properly placed before the halves joined together. Therefore, the end of the tape slipped into the mechanism body. Once again, the roulette wheel was dismantled and everything was aligned (a side effect of this bias was that the locking mechanism also did not function properly).
Most likely your roulette is also made of plastic. Therefore, the center screw will most likely fit into the plastic center pin .... Care must be taken when tightening this screw, as it is too easy to tear off the plastic thread.
Enjoy lively roulette :-)
Step Four: Repair Cheap Dural Roulette (Another Option)
As you can see in the first picture, someone was a little rude with this little roulette. Someone pulled her too far that she is no longer pulled back. The first couple of centimeters of the tape is also slightly bent.
This is a very cheap roulette that was handed out as a promotional item. The tape itself acts like a spring, so this is a more complex mechanism compared to the previous roulette. However, it is much simpler.
Step Five: First, remove the front panel ....
Carefully remove the top panel by removing the tiny screw in the center. Then lightly press the corner, and the lid should rise (see photo).
This tape measure cannot be fixed by a simple stretch of the tape, since the tape and the spring are one and the same. The tape must be carefully removed from the body and wound tightly.
It is very hard on the hands. The author stopped several times during the winding process.
Step Six: Finish Roulette Recovery
Next, you need to insert the tape and place its central part in the slot that holds the far end. Then, before letting it stand completely, turn the entire roll of tape one full turn clockwise. Then insert the tape into the housing to the end, including the end that projects with the tip on it.
This will provide a tight stretch of the tape and a stronger return.
Then carefully smooth the bends and creases on the tape itself and warn the tape user that further bending will cause breakage.
Replace the front bezel and tighten the screw. All. :-)