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How to Repair an Alvin PXB Drawing Board

Alvin manufactures an array of drawing boards and tools. Alvin's line of PBX drawing boards comes with a built in parallel bar that replaces a conventional T-square. While the drawing board is well-made and meant to provide many years of use, problems can arise with the parallel bar. The drawing board can be sent back to the company for repair, but it can be costly. Use the same professional techniques to repair an Alvin PBX drawing board, saving time and money.

Things You'll Need

  • Towels
  • Screwdrivers
  • Cotton swabs
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Spray lubricant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the work area. Clear off a table large enough to accommodate the drawing board. Lay a clean towel down on the tabletop. Use a towel slightly larger than the board. Line up the required tools next to the towel.

    • 2

      Prepare the drawing board. Flip the drawing board over to expose its backside. All of the PBX's movement mechanisms are mounted to the back of the board. Lay the drawing board on the towel with the backside of the board facing upward.

    • 3

      Examine the drawing board. The PBX drawing board encounters two primary problems, loose pulley mounts and debris blocking the pulley system. Grip the pulley wheel with the thumb and index finger. Try to move the pulley wheel side to side. If the wheel moves, the mounting screw is loose. Check each pulley. Examine the pulleys and pulley wires for debris.

    • 4
      Use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the pulley mounts.

      Tighten the pulley mounts. Use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screws that hold each pulley in place. Turn the screws clockwise to tighten them. The PBX drawing board has four primary pulleys. Tighten any remaining loose pulleys.

    • 5
      Use cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol for cleaning.

      Clean the pulleys and pulley wires. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol. Squeeze out the excess alcohol by pinching the swab's tip between the thumb and index finger. Gently clean out the channel cut into the side of each pulley with the tip of the swab. Use an alcohol-saturated cotton swab to clean the pulley wires as well. Remove any built up debris, switching cotton swabs as they become dirty.

    • 6

      Lubricate the pulley channels and guide wires. Use spray lubricant. Spray the tip of a cotton swab until the tip is saturated with lubricant. Do not squeeze the excess lubricant out. Rub the tip of the swab along the channel cut into each pulley. Apply lubricant to the pulley wires with a lubricant-saturated cotton swab.

    • 7

      Tighten the parallel bar. Flip the drawing board over so its front side is facing upwards. On the left and right sides of the PXB's parallel bar are two knurled brake knobs used to control the bar's tension. Turn the knobs clockwise to tighten them. Tighten them until the bar freely moves but remains stationary when positioned.

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