Excel PL918 Lathe only works in reverse

[sjc_clarkParticipant @sjc_clark]

Hi there,

Excel PL918 Lathe (looks like a generic Chinese lathe)

My friends lath has stopped working in the forward direction, OK in reverse, he changed the start capacitor and made no difference. He thinks it’s the motor but I am not so sure as there is a lot of traffic on the www about the rotary switch and possible the relay.

Any ideas on what’s the most likely cause and where to get the bits in UK?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hXVdVbZybFNapzkeA

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Quite likely to be the switch, or relay if there is one involved. Especially if the direction switch is the only way to turn it on and off – contacts eventually burn out from sparks which may be why it is the most used – forward – that is not working.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Tempted to think it is the switch ? If it runs in one direction OK then not the other then check the switch. Good luck. Noel.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

I had one of these years ago.  It came from Chester Hobby Store.  They used to hold spares, don’t know if they still do.

Russell

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

If it runs in one direction OK its NOT the motor. As others have said it will be the switch or possibly a relay/contactor but that is less likely. A picture of the front panel side of the switch and a few or the rear may give enough information for a replacement suggestion.

Robert.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I would think it is most likely the reversing switch.  Too many change direction while the motor is still operating.  The contacts are often not rated as a switching contacts and can get burned.

I avoided switching direction, on my old lathe, while the motor was powered.

[Robert Atkinson 2]

On Robert Atkinson 2 Said:

If it runs in one direction OK its NOT the motor. As others have said it will be the switch or possibly a relay/contactor but that is less likely. A picture of the front panel side of the switch and a few or the rear may give enough information for a replacement suggestion.

Robert.

Hi Robert,
There are more pictures via the link in my original post, did you see them? :-

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hXVdVbZybFNapzkeA

Steve

[martin haysomParticipant @martinhaysom48469]

switch. if it was the motor it would not run ether way. could test by disconnecting the motor from the lathe and fitting a feed directly to the motor.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Hi Steve,

Sorry I don’t click on unknown links. Having now looked ithey confirm it’s almost certainly the switch. Unfortunatly I can’t work out the exact switch configuration. Where is the lathe located?

EDIT: This one may suit https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286649665022?

Robert.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I would suspect the reversing switch, maybe used without stopping the lathe first before changing direction.

[Author]

Posts