Lathe not starting.

[Britman]

So my new lathe has stopped working.
It still gets power but it won't start, pressing the start but I hear a click.

Looks like a phone call to Axminster for a return is in order.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You haven't inadvertently left a spindle lock on, have you?

 

[Spectric]

Can you rotate the chuck ? As Phil has pointed out it could be just the spindle lock .

 

[Britman]

You haven't inadvertently left a spindle lock on, have you?

I don't know for sure, I will check it when I'm back in the shop.

 

[Richard_C]

It would help others help you if the thread title related to the problem you have and if you told us a bit more about the lathe. Also what you have tried already.

My approach would be #1 spindle lock, #2 spin by hand, how does it feel, #3 slacken belt slightly, maybe it was too tight, #4 take belt off, see if motor starts now.

I'd also recall when it was last working, what's changed since? Did I change the belt onto a different pulley, open the cover, whatever. Is it the lathe or is it me? I has a minor panic recently only to realise I had laid a vacuum cleaner tube over the emergency stop button.

If it is one with electronic variable speed, think about the power supply. If it is via an extension lead, especially if there are other things running, you can get slight voltage drop at startup which can cause it to fail. My Coronet Herald was erratic until I realised and improved the layout and plugged directly into a socket.

Hope you get it working.

 

[scooby]

Which lathe is it?

 

[Britman]

My apologies for for the lack luster post. The lathe is the Axminster AW205 the variable speed one.

I was using the lathe at the time, it just stop. It still gets power and the spindle moves as I would expect. Pressing the start button I hear a click and that's it.

I haven't spoken to Axminster and they are sending a new switch unit.

Out of curiosity, what is spindle lock and what would cause it?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The spindle lock is the button (usually) that engages with a hole or deep indent on the spindle so it can be fixed in place to get chucks etc. off. If you couldn't fix it in place you'd never get anything unscrewed from it.

 

[Britman]

Pleased to say that the lathe is back up and running. Changing the switch box resolved the issue.
Replaced under warranty.