Lux Model L Cordwinder- Maintenance?

[danemodsandy]

Hello:

I have a cordwinder for my Lux Model L, and it's acting up just a little bit. You can pull the cord out smoothly, and it will retract just fine, BUT-

The cord won't stop partway out, like it should. You know- when you just need like eight feet of cord, so you pull it out and then kind of jerk on the cord to make it lock in place?

It seems like the cordwinder needs some kind of attention, perhaps some sort of lubrication or other work. Does anyone know what the deal is here?

Thanks in advance-

 

[aeoliandave]

This applies generally to all brands of cordwinders except f

Like a roll-up window shade, the cordwinder drum has a kick out pawl that engages a stopblock once per revolution. The pawl is free swinging, as it were. It is kicked out to engage by centrifugal force or not at all at a slow speed, since the stopblock is usually located at the top...not always.

It is most likely sluggish or stuck in place, hugging the drum core, with decades worth of accumulated greasy dust. Worst case scenario - the pawl post fell off and its rattling around in there. Unlikely.

It's been a while since I took an XXX/LX/AE, etc add-on cordwinder apart but they can be opened in two halves and the spring action tightened up without having the dangerous coil spring unspool and create havoc.

Pull out all the cord and continue turning the spool - having lifted the cord free around the edge of the cordreel - until the spring is coiled tight by feel. Then back it off one or two revolutions, re-orient the cord and rewind the cord back on the drum.

Someone more recently familiar with the L winder can better advise you which housing half to take off first. Hopefully it will be a simple matter of shooting some WD40 or somesuch lube onto the pawl pivot with an extension straw.

 

[danemodsandy]

Thanks, Dave!

I sort of knew when I posted my question who would be the one to answer it, LOL.

I'm so glad we have your expertise around here! Thanks very much, and I'll let you know how this goes.