Look for burnt glue build up around the gates and in the top of the pot, this is ready for a rebuild.

A:  You will need to make a judgement call based on your expectations for productivity and product quality.  If your own maintenance program is no longer satisfying you, it is time to rebuild.  A few oberservations on your part will start to give you the tell tale signs of an approaching rebuild:

• Glue line is not even from top to bottom
• Glue line is blotchy
• Getting difficult to adjust quantity of glue
• Increasing build up of crusted glue around the edges of the main basin or gates.  (Be careful if trying to scrape this out, you do not want to end up with burned glue getting further down into the pot and impeding flow to the application roller!).
• Time between rebuilds is 6-12 months, based on a 40 hour work week.  Proper maintenance will increase the time between rebuilds.

Please keep in mind that if a glue pot is run too long without proper maintenance, the bushings, seals, bearings etc. will wear out enough to start damaging other expensive parts of the glue pot such as gates and the glue roller.  Good routine maintenance and proper rebuild timing will make a big difference on your profitability.

Q:  How quickly can I get my glue pot rebuilt and returned?

A: A typical rebuild would be 1-2 weeks. However, if you need it sooner, contact us so we can discuss the issue and set proper expecations for both of us. The quickest way is to overnight the pot to us. Once we receive it, we can usually turn it around in 1-2 days, with a nominal expedite fee. We stock most parts for most glue pots.  However, there can be issues with parts that are not included in a normal rebuild. In this case, we would be at the mercy of our suppliers.  We do have a few reconditioned glue pots in stock for immediate exchange.  Call us for price and availability.

Q:  What is the advantage of the Teflon style non-stick coating?

You can see why the customer had us coat the brackets, too.

A:  If you perform routine maintenance, there is a huge advantage.  The glue will not build up and crust as quickly as a pot without the coating.  Intermittent minor cleaning and scraping is easier to do between rebuilds as the glue comes off much easier and quicker.  Although there is an additional charge, this is a generally accepted part of most rebuilds.  We have settled on using this coating as we have tried others in the past, like ceramic, that have not performed as well, and add more cost.

Q:  My service tech takes care of our glue pots, what is the difference?

A:  Sovereign Machine gets business from many of the plant maintenance and service tech's across the country.  Your local service tech is an integral part of Sovereign Machine's business, as well as your business, as your relationship with them allows you to keep your machines running profitably.  Your service tech comes in periodically to take the pot off your edgebander to scrape as much glue residue off as possible, lubricate, calibrate, and return to your machine if the pot is not in need of a full rebuild.  This is considered routine maintenance. 

If the glue pot does need a rebuild, your service tech will usually send it to Sovereign Machine for a True Full Rebuild.  Service tech's that are not aware of Sovereign Machine will provide you with "economical rebuilds" at the same price we could provide a True Full Rebuild.  This includes them taking a few days to provide some additional services by using harsh chemicals, high temp blow torches, and elbow grease to try to clean the residue, perhaps replacing some parts, and painting the pot (no Teflon style coating!), expending 10-20 billable hours in the process.  You need to understand the difference!  See our True Full Rebuild page....

Make your service tech aware of Sovereign Machine!  For the same price you can get a True Full Rebuild, where we completely tear down your pot, evaluate all parts, burn off all residue in our industrial oven, sand blast, spray on a fresh Teflon style non-stick coating, re-assemble with new parts (only if the existing part will not make it through the next rebuild cycle), test and calibrate. Using Sovereign Machine, you get the benefit of a True Full Rebuild that will perform better and last much longer than an "economical" rebuild, saving you money in the long run.

Q:  I am a Service Tech, why would I use Sovereign Machine?

A:  Many Service Tech's across the country already do.  Contact Sovereign Machine to discuss how we can help you increase the glue pot performance for your customers at no added cost to them.  Use us to leverage your productivity by staying on-site billing hours while at the same time, we are providing the best quality rebuild for your customer.