11-22-2014, 01:41 PM
It runs!!
An email from Matt suggested the following:
I removed a cover an started with the foot brake switch.
Upon inspection ... a task that does not seem to be in the manufacturer's repertoire] ... I found that the switch would close only about 40% of the time the foot brake was released. "Well just turn the bolt and re-adjust the Allen bolt." As I put a wrench on the lock nut the bolt and nut fell out of the doughnut. They were lucky it worked even 40% of the time as the bolt was not even screwed in and there was only one bolt thread sticking out of past the lock nut.
I loosened up the set screw on the doughnut and pulled the doughnut off the shaft. Next was to actually screw the Allen bolt into the doughnut and lock it down. Finally re-install the doughnut on the shaft, adjust it so the Allen bolt would close the switch and then tightened the doughnut set screw.
Plugged it back in and the spindle rotates. A sigh of relief and Bev is no longer wondering if I had made a mistake.
On to mounting the DRO head to the top of the lathe. Removed the DRO from the box and ... what is that noise? Turn the DRO head in any direction and something inside the head would rattle inside the case to what I am assuming is the low spot.
Oh Darn!! [this is a family board so ...]
I will give Matt at Precisions Mathews credit in that he does answer his emails on Saturdays and does agree to reasonable solutions. I sent an email describing the rattle and my concern that if it is something metallic it might not be good for the electronics. I indicated that I was willing to take the back of the DRO head but doing so would require me to destroy the "No user serviceable parts inside" warranty sticker or I'd pack it up and he could have UPS pick it up and send me a new one.
He responded that he would be good for the warranty even if the sticker has been violated and I should open it up.
noise-email.jpg (Size: 35.21 KB / Downloads: 112)
Not exactly sure what it was but I can certify that it is now trash. I put everything back together and mounted the DRO.
Following Darren and Ed's suggestions I checked the other crimped connections on the DRO power cord. At least they are consistent. 3 disfunctional insulation crimps out of 3 attempts.
I'm now off to hardware store to get new connectors. Assuming I can do a better job than they did I will declare that "it is now a lathe that runs" rather than "a collection of things that confirm the law of gravity is still in effect" and start a new thread over in the Lathe forum.
Thanks to everyone that is following this thread and offering help, suggestions and encouragement during this this adventure.
An email from Matt suggested the following:
- Check the gear cover safety switch ... if the lathe has one ... he could not remember.
- Check the foot brake switch.
- Check the spindle shield switch.
I removed a cover an started with the foot brake switch.
Upon inspection ... a task that does not seem to be in the manufacturer's repertoire] ... I found that the switch would close only about 40% of the time the foot brake was released. "Well just turn the bolt and re-adjust the Allen bolt." As I put a wrench on the lock nut the bolt and nut fell out of the doughnut. They were lucky it worked even 40% of the time as the bolt was not even screwed in and there was only one bolt thread sticking out of past the lock nut.
I loosened up the set screw on the doughnut and pulled the doughnut off the shaft. Next was to actually screw the Allen bolt into the doughnut and lock it down. Finally re-install the doughnut on the shaft, adjust it so the Allen bolt would close the switch and then tightened the doughnut set screw.
Plugged it back in and the spindle rotates. A sigh of relief and Bev is no longer wondering if I had made a mistake.
On to mounting the DRO head to the top of the lathe. Removed the DRO from the box and ... what is that noise? Turn the DRO head in any direction and something inside the head would rattle inside the case to what I am assuming is the low spot.
Oh Darn!! [this is a family board so ...]
I will give Matt at Precisions Mathews credit in that he does answer his emails on Saturdays and does agree to reasonable solutions. I sent an email describing the rattle and my concern that if it is something metallic it might not be good for the electronics. I indicated that I was willing to take the back of the DRO head but doing so would require me to destroy the "No user serviceable parts inside" warranty sticker or I'd pack it up and he could have UPS pick it up and send me a new one.
He responded that he would be good for the warranty even if the sticker has been violated and I should open it up.
noise-email.jpg (Size: 35.21 KB / Downloads: 112)
Not exactly sure what it was but I can certify that it is now trash. I put everything back together and mounted the DRO.
Following Darren and Ed's suggestions I checked the other crimped connections on the DRO power cord. At least they are consistent. 3 disfunctional insulation crimps out of 3 attempts.
I'm now off to hardware store to get new connectors. Assuming I can do a better job than they did I will declare that "it is now a lathe that runs" rather than "a collection of things that confirm the law of gravity is still in effect" and start a new thread over in the Lathe forum.
Thanks to everyone that is following this thread and offering help, suggestions and encouragement during this this adventure.