X-Pole Xpert Assembly help!

HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor started this discussion · 7/5/2012

I just got my first X-pole Xpert and I'm having a minor issue with the assembly! My ceilings are 8 feet tall and I'm just having a hard time making sure that the dome is flat on the ceiling while I'm adjusting it for height. I have tried to get it very close and then lift from the bottom in hopes that I will get the dome flat and then I can get the bottom part to go down straight but its not working. Obviously I plan to use a level to make sure that it is straight, but I can't even get to the point where I could let go of the pole in order to use the level before tightening the rest of the way! I did notice one thing that I'm not sure is contributing to my problem or not - When I initially inserted my A pole into the base, it didn't hit all the way down to the base (wound up just being a few millimeters gap) and then even after I tightened the screws with the hex key, if I just stood the A pole up on the base, it was wobbly. I looked at the assembly video on youtube and it looks like there is a gap between the A pole and the base in the video so I'm not sure if this is what it is supposed to look like or what. Any help would be appreciated! I really want to get back on the pole!! :)

12 replies

hookedonpole · 7/5/2012
I'm not sure what you mean by " I'm just having a hard time making sure that the dome is flat on the ceiling while I'm adjusting it for height. I have tried to get it very close and then lift from the bottom in hopes that I will get the dome flat " What we do is, set the pole in place, tighten to where it won't slip but not completely tight so that we can adjust it, then use the level to check how straight it is. If we need to adjust according to the level, we gently nudge it and/or loosen just enough to be able to make adjustment. I don't know if others do the same, hopefully someone will respond.
aliceBheartless · 7/5/2012
I know that I have also had trouble with this, because the articulating base at the bottom can be slightly problematic, especially when putting the pole up on carpet when its a brand new process to you. I think a big part of why overtightening results in a sticky point in the pole rotation can come from the pole being tightened with the dome not nicely flat on the ceiling. If you have a plumb bob the following might help. Mark out on the ceiling the circle the dome should fit within centered directly on a beam. Using the plumb bob, mark on the floor directly below the center of the dome circle. Using that as a center point, mark a circle for the base plate to fit in. Then just line up the plate/dome in the respective circles and work with leveling from there. That might help, though it could be a fussy process.
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 7/6/2012
So I've managed to get it standing up and checked that it's straight with a level, it's tightened and alllllmost ready to go but now I have another problem! I can't get the three hex screws at the bottom of the A pole to screw in completely! I tried having a friend "rock" the pole like it suggests in the instruction manual and I can't even get the first screw to become flush with the outer surface of the pole! I don't want to make the screws go round on the inside by forcing it. It's not like I can just ignore this because when I did a test spin to make sure that the pole was tightened enough, I cut my finger on one of the screws! I can't have that happening all the time! 😕
Debss · 7/6/2012
Have you checked that you've aligned the 3 screws with the 3 flat sections of the adjustor rod screw?
chemgoddess1 · 7/6/2012
Exactly what Debss said....there are 3 channels cut in teh threaded section, the three hex screws HAVE to line up with this channel.
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 7/6/2012
I don't know how I missed that! Thanks so much, I wasn't lining up the screws properly so that should have solved the problem.... Except that now I have one last (hopefully) problem :( When I had the screws misaligned, I must have turned one harder than I should have and I think I stripped it!! I can't loosen it in order to re-align the screws to their proper position! Anyone have a suggestion?
chemgoddess1 · 7/6/2012
You will probably need to remove and replace that screw. There is a tool that you can buy at the hardware store called a grabit screw extractor. Take one of the other screws with you as you will need that for comparison (and also to get the correct size grabit). You are lucky that you should be able to find metric hex screws where you are (this was not as easy in the US). They are either called set screws or hex screws.
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 7/6/2012
I will try that, thanks chemie!
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 7/6/2012
I will try that, thanks chemie!
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 7/6/2012
I will try that, thanks chemie!
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 7/6/2012
I will try that, thanks chemie!
TeamStudyAbroad · 7/6/2012
You can also attempt to get the screw out withthe same hex key that you have by applying a little pressure like you are attempting to push the screw in as you loosen it to take it out. Sometimes even though it is stripped that can help the tool catch for you to remove it.