Variable speed or motor problem?

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HoratioHornblower

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
300
Location
Columbia, SC
Hello all, the last few days my old PSI lathe has been acting differently in a not good way. i.e. it started turning slower, especially at lower speeds, and tonight it started speeding up and slowing down. (revving) Also, it sometimes will not start turning when it is on until you give the headstock a slight twist. :( Anyway, I am wondering if it is the vari. control or the motor. I'm going with control personally. And, where can you get one or both? I have to get a few pens finished for Christmas so I will have to get it rather fast! Thanks everyone!

Sincerely,
David
 
This is a variable speed lathe?

Unplug the lathe before doing any of this.

Check the motor brushes in either case.

If not a VS lathe, the start capacitor or start winding / centrifugal switch is on the fritz. This is really likely if you can start the lathe turning by spinning the lathe by hand to start it up. VS lathes don't have these components in them and use a DC motor.

If a VS lathe, the speed control pot may be getting intermittent. Try to clean it out with a blast of compressed air. You can bring a bad pot back to life with contact cleaner, but this is usually a temporary fix. Replace the pot.
 
I can't answer any of your questions as I know about as much about electrical motors as I do wood turning, but like your handle..... Horatio Hornblower was my favorite characters and I think I've read all of the books written on him... even have the DVD set with Ioan Gruffudd - great entertainment.
 
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