No turning for me this weekend

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Last week when using the lathe (Warco WM280 V-F) it hunted onec or twice when turning on. Tonight I went to use it and it didn’t start with the speed set low, turning up the wick got it going but the motor was cutting in and out as well as running faster than normal at full setting, also thought I could hear one or two electrical “pops” from the back.

 

I have read of circuit boards going on these variable lathes and mills so started to fear the worst but also remembered reading of uneven brush wear so decided this was the place to look.

 

As you can see the brush on the right is a lot shorter, the contact surface is heavily pitted and the spring has actually broken/melted.

 

Hopefully Warco will have new ones in stock when I give them a call on monday. Just thought I would post this for anyone elese with a similar variable speed lathe if their motor starts playing up so they know where to look.

 

Jason (off to find something to mill instead)

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Hi Jason,had a similar problem with my Warco WM250 lathe.The motor hunted a couple of times then stopped,on further investigation one of the brushes was worn down to almost nothing where as the other was as new.Warco sent me two sets of brushes by return. By the way the lathe was 2 years old.

 

Pailo.

[modeng2000Participant @modeng2000]

Do you think it would be good insurance to get a set of brushes before I run into this problem?

It seems surprising that one brush wears quicker than the other.

 

John

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I think uneven brush wear is fairly common in a lot of electric motors. My Bosch 4 1/2″ angle grinder always wears one more than the other, but one good thing I like about thier brushs, is that they have a little plastic sprung loaded pin embedded into the brush which pops when they get to short, and disconnects them from the commutator, thus stops it being damaged by arc burning.

 

Getting spare brushs is always a good idea, as long as you remember where you put them when the time comes that you need them.

 

Regards Nick.

 

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 16/04/2011 10:55:20

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I always thought that brush type motors were suitable for intermitant use, electric hand drill, angle grinder, not for a machine that runs for long hours like a lathe. Would it not be better for the manufacturers to use a brushless DC motor in this sort of situation.

I know, this is’nt helping anyone, and its just something that bugs me, but that and a propper rated power supply. Ian S C

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Something I came upon a while ago while doing the valve timing on an old ex racing friends 650cc Triumph.

It would not run properly.

I asked if the Lucas magneto was ok and was told he had fitted new carbon brushes to it.

The erratic running was traced to the magneto brushes being very soft material and coating the slip ring.

According to a magneto specialist this was a common problem with some of the carbon brushes from India.

As many of the motors we use are far Eastern are the carbon brushes of a suitable standard for prolonged use?

 

Windy.

Edited By Windy on 16/04/2011 15:13:51

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

The new mini lathes use a bruchless DC motor. these things have only been affordable at the specs we need for a very short time!

 

Neil

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Just an update.

 

I e-mailed Warco over the weekend and had a reply at 8.44 on Monday morning with teh part number I needed, cost and conformation they were in stock. Placed order and they arrived next day. Also got a spare set incase it happens again.

 

I have just fitted them and all is well and good so thumbs up to Warco for good spares service.

 

J

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