Carbatec Lathe Problems.

[wdcav1952]

I have the PSI Carbatec 4 VS lathe. I have had it for about 3 years, and it was about a year old when I got it. I have replaced the power switch twice. Other than that, it has been a great lathe. Lately, it does not reach top speed. There is no bearing screeching or overheating, it just doesn't go as fast as it used to. Short of driving it to Philadelphia which is 3 1/2 hours away, ignoring the snow that is falling like crazy, I don't know what to do.

Any suggestions? I plan to call PSI tomorrow and see if I can talk to tech support, but wonder if any of you smart guys and gals (no predjudice here, Angela) have any ideas of what is wrong.

TIA,

 

[johnnycnc]

how about the motor brushes?

 

[Randy_]

WC: As it is a VS model, I would suspect that something in the controller might be going bad. In most cases, I think bad brushes would be an all or nothing situation; but it should be easy enough to check them and see if they need to be replaced.

One other thing I would do is remove the belt from the pulleys and be sure the motor and the lathe spindle turn freely.

 

[angboy]

Originally posted by wdcav1952
<br />Any suggestions? I plan to call PSI tomorrow and see if I can talk to tech support, but wonder if any of you smart guys and gals (no predjudice here, Angela) have any ideas of what is wrong.

Awww... thanks Cav! [][] Of course I have no ideas or suggestions to offer at all, so I'm not doing a great job of showing off for my sex!

Maybe next time Randy could not post his ideas here, but e-mail them to me and let me post them- that way I'll look helpful and knowledgeable. Then Randy can pipe up later and say, oh my gosh Angela, that's positively brilliant, I couldn't have made a better suggestion myself!

 

[ed4copies]

Originally posted by angboy
<br />

Originally posted by wdcav1952
<br />Any suggestions? I plan to call PSI tomorrow and see if I can talk to tech support, but wonder if any of you smart guys and gals (no predjudice here, Angela) have any ideas of what is wrong.

Awww... thanks Cav! [][] Of course I have no ideas or suggestions to offer at all, so I'm not doing a great job of showing off for my sex!

Maybe next time Randy could not post his ideas here, but e-mail them to me and let me post them- that way I'll look helpful and knowledgeable. Then Randy can pipe up later and say, oh my gosh Angela, that's positively brilliant, I couldn't have made a better suggestion myself!

or not!!

 

[wdcav1952]

Great suggestions, Rand... I mean Angela! [] I just got off the phone with PSI tech support, and he said that brushes are indicated given the age of the lathe and my description of the problem. I got them ordered, hopefully the snow will stop soon enough to let the mail get through!

BTW, I almost forgot, thanks Ed for your brilliant insights. []

 

[Randy_]

Originally posted by angboy
<br />.....Maybe next time Randy could not post his ideas here, but e-mail them to me and let me post them- that way I'll look helpful and knowledgeable. Then Randy can pipe up later and say, oh my gosh Angela, that's positively brilliant, I couldn't have made a better suggestion myself!

Angela: Be careful what you wish for!![^] Last time the word "brilliant" came up in association with my name, the discussion was about my idea to build a sun-dial with glow in the dark markings[?][B)][?]

I'll be glad to shoot any future brilliant ideas along to you; but don't hold your breath.....it might be a while!![]

 

[Randy_]

WC: Please be sure to let us know if the new brushes solve your problem. Lots of folks around here have electronic VS lathes and may require the same fix at some later date.