Took the spring off my Vega after the first time I used it. Hand pressure is better. On curves like a polaris, I go from belly to neck, and then from head to neck, follow the contours down slope (do the same for the rest). Have not had any problems with it binding up, and I also use 3d models that I turn rather than plexi. You probably do something similar, so I'm not sure why the troubles
Jigman