Clutch Modification
Scott (Springman) Oates has come up with a neat modification to drastically reduce the rotational resistance when clutch knob is loose and worm is engaged. Look at Fig.1
Fig.1
The left frame in Fig.1 shows a machined groove. The right frame shows a wavy washer sitting in the groove. The wavy washer is a type of spring. When assembled, the wavy washer is the sandwiched part. When the knob is snug, the wavy washer is compressed. When the knob is loose, the wavy washer (spring) lifts the assembly releasing the pressure on the large face of the aluminum part. Now only the high points of the washer are in contact and provide very free rotation even though the worm is still engaged. With this modification, the plastic bearing is no longer used.
Note: All of the above modifications are available.
Contact Scott Oates for info on clutch & worm block mods, and worm block knobs