I can't get this thing to work for anything. I know it is supposed to slip
before it strips when you tighten it down, but it seems that I can hardly
get it to fit snug enough on my head.

I have a large head. Either a big brain or a thick skull. Tests were
inconclusive. I put the crown in the last hole so it should sit on TOP of
my head. Yet, it really doesn't, and I can't get the ratchet to work
properly. This one is a recently replaced one because I thought the other
one was stripped. Then people told me that the new ones ratcheted out once
they were tight enough to prevent overtightening. This still seems not to
work like it should. I was led to the 951 because the Jackson hood was
impossible to keep up with the weight of the NexGen. I may be going back to
the Jackson for just headband comfort.

The shop is gritty. I was considering soaking it in alcohol, then dipping
it in hot water and repeating the process to see if that would clear out the
gears and mechanism.

Anyone else have this problem?

Steve

Visit my blog at www.cabgbypasssurgery.com

On Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:24:09 -0700, Steve B wrote:
....
I have a large head. Either a big brain or a thick skull. Tests were
inconclusive. I put the crown in the last hole so it should sit on TOP
of my head. Yet, it really doesn't, and I can't get the ratchet to work
properly. This one is a recently replaced one because I thought the
other one was stripped. Then people told me that the new ones ratcheted
out once they were tight enough to prevent overtightening. This still
seems not to work like it should. I was led to the 951 because the
Jackson hood was impossible to keep up with the weight of the NexGen. I
may be going back to the Jackson for just headband comfort.

I'm not familiar with that model, but regarding the Jackson with NexGen
lens, perhaps you could arrange a counterweight on the back of it. Eg,
try taping or wiring a heavy bolt to the top back edge and see if that
makes any difference. If so, then you could tune it a bit with heavier
or lighter weights, different ways of attaching, etc. A light
counterweight on a long arm can have the same balancing effect as a
heavy one closer to the pivot point ... but anything that sticks out
too far behind will get in the way.

The shop is gritty. I was considering soaking it in alcohol, then
dipping it in hot water and repeating the process to see if that would
clear out the gears and mechanism.
....

--
jiw

Steve B wrote:
I can't get this thing to work for anything. I know it is supposed to slip
before it strips when you tighten it down, but it seems that I can hardly
get it to fit snug enough on my head.

I have a large head. Either a big brain or a thick skull. Tests were
inconclusive. I put the crown in the last hole so it should sit on TOP of
my head. Yet, it really doesn't, and I can't get the ratchet to work
properly. This one is a recently replaced one because I thought the other
one was stripped. Then people told me that the new ones ratcheted out once
they were tight enough to prevent overtightening. This still seems not to
work like it should. I was led to the 951 because the Jackson hood was
impossible to keep up with the weight of the NexGen. I may be going back to
the Jackson for just headband comfort.

The shop is gritty. I was considering soaking it in alcohol, then dipping
it in hot water and repeating the process to see if that would clear out the
gears and mechanism.

Anyone else have this problem?

Steve

Visit my blog at www.cabgbypasssurgery.com

My experience with the Huntsman line is that the ratchet mechanism is
the weakest part. Consider it a consumable item, it will last longer
than a welding tip, but not much longer than a set of gloves or a coat.
They make replacement headband kits that go in really easy. I just
figure on replacing mine whenever it starts to slip. I have found that
having multiple users really kills them quick.