[chiliman]

For those with Benchmark poppers. Do you have any issues with the axle being too long for the cart? Do your wheels fit snuggly between the axle pin and the cart legs?


I've purchased a BenchMark unit which has been a pain from the start. The first shipment had broken dry rotted wheels and missing hardware. Once the replacements came I got the cart assembled and the axle is a good 1 1/2 inches longer than needed. The result was the wheels sat cockeyed and wobbled around when pushed. Obviously a major defect. BenchMark says all their axles are the same size and sent me space washers to fix the problem. Funny, if space washers are need then why wouldn't they be mentioned in the assembly instructions. So I put the six space washers on and now the wheels wobble all over when rolled and the unit sways if bumped into like it could topple over.


All I need is a properly fitted axle but it looks like I'll be disassembling everything and returning the whole thing to buy a Paragon popper.


Anyone else with issues??


Randy

 

[MidLife]

any pics?


I'd be interested in seeing this defect. I have a Benchmark popper, but, it has a pedastel, not a wheeled cart. Is this a street vender?

 

[chiliman]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MidLife /forum/post/14186830


any pics?


I'd be interested in seeing this defect. I have a Benchmark popper, but, it has a pedastel, not a wheeled cart. Is this a street vender?

I don't have pics handy. I'll try to get some up tomorrow.


Yes, it is a Street Vendor.

 

[MidLife]

Wow. I always thought the Benchmark poppers were rated like 4 outta 5 stars. And Paragon like 5 outta 5 stars. Wheels should fit snuggly on the axle and should not be untrue. must be a really bad situation with manufacturing of your unit.

 

[chiliman]

Here's a pic prior to the washers being installed. The wheels wobble freely with the gap shown. It is all a function of a incorrectly sized axle that they say is correct.


And just for fun there's a pic of the broken dry rotted wheels that came with the first shipment.

 

[pcdoctor]

So, is this your second shipment? I'd just go with a Paragon, Star or GM.

 

[MidLife]

send those pics to the manufacturer. I'm sure they'd take the product back staightaway!

 

[chiliman]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MidLife /forum/post/14189513


send those pics to the manufacturer. I'm sure they'd take the product back staightaway!

Well they will take it back but are basically telling me I'm wrong, this is normal, the cart is not made to handle heavy loads, etc. They seem to be begrudgingly willing to do the right thing. I'm being the nice guy here and saying just send me another axle and try to fix this fourth problem before I return it.


Other issues with this shipment: broken wheels, missing hardware, and the popping kettle was hanging from one screw when taken out of the box.

 

[MidLife]

The external diameter of the axle should fit snuggly the inner diameter of the wheel bearing and spacer washers should be unnecessary for proper verticle allingment of the wheels. Spacer washers will help the issue but is not the root of the problem, as wheel bearings should match the axle spindle. Spacer washers take up horizontal thrash. A wobbly cart seems a production design flaw as you have noted. Shame.

I have a Paragon Theater Pop and cart and have no reservations whatsoever as to quality or build detail.

 

[MidLife]

Did you get a new machine?

 

[chiliman]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MidLife /forum/post/14233082


Did you get a new machine?

Paragon 6oz on the way!

 

[John St]



Quote:
Originally Posted by chiliman /forum/post/14257055


Paragon 6oz on the way!

I found this thread the day after I ordered a Benchmark from Costco.

After reading this thread I decided to cancel the order, but it couldn't be stopped in time. The Costco representative said I could just refuse the order when it arrived and I'd get a full credit.


Right after I got off the phone with Costco, I ordered a Paragon 6oz Theater Pop from Stargate Cinema. It was delivered just a few days later. We fired it up for the first time this past weekend and it performed flawlessly. The build quality is excellent, and the popcorn tasted amazing. Our theater and lobby area smelled just like a movie theater. It was worth every penny.


So, thanks for starting this thread, and enjoy your new Paragon! You are going to love it.