Woodman PT310HH problem

I have the Woodman 12" Planer/Thicknesser with a helical head. While thicknessing 90mm wide boards yesterday with light passes the machine cut out. There was no electrical smell.

No circuit tripped. Powerpoint still works. Manual mentions:
Probable cause = "Overload automatic reset has not reset"
Remedy = "When planer overloads on the circuit breaker built into the motor starter, it takes time for the machine to cool down before restart. Allow unit to adequately cool before attempting restart. If problem persists, check amp setting on the motor starter inside the electrical box."

Wire connections that I can see look fine. HH moves freely and everything looks clean.

When I press the green On button there doesn't appear to be any resistance or click - as if it is still in the On position. Emergency Stop button is in the On position (I have never needed to use this but thought I would check that bit out.

Any ideas? Otherwise I will wait and contact Gregory Machinery tomorrow. Just a real pain today as my daughter and I are in 'full production mode' at the moment.

Jane

I have the woodfast version of this machine and had a similar problem that baffled for ages. Finally got around to around to doing some investigation and found the cam that operates the micro switch on the dust chute had come loose and would move during operation and cut out the machine. Check for manual to see where it is located, its an easy fix if it is the problem.

Rick

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Originally Posted by warrick

I have the woodfast version of this machine and had a similar problem that baffled for ages. Finally got around to around to doing some investigation and found the cam that operates the micro switch on the dust chute had come loose and would move during operation and cut out the machine. Check for manual to see where it is located, its an easy fix if it is the problem.

Rick

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I've had the same weird cut out issue as well and from memory it was that for mine too.

Just in case anyone IS interested...my thicknesser was fixed this morning. :yippy::clap3::yippee::clap2::woot::hpydans2:

Problem was the main switch decided not to play anymore. GregMach sent a new switch which was of course a slightly different size so couldn't just exchange the guts of it but had to replace the whole unit (after taking half the machine apart). It didn't come with the dust cover though and old one doesn't fit. Might be using plastic and duct tape...

(Happy) Jane

WooHoo

He guys

I am looking at geting one of these machines. Have you been happy with your purchase, does it perform well. I am only a DYI hobbiest not commercial..

Stuart

Definitely. Except for the faulty switch mentioned above it has been faultless. Coplanar tables out of the "box". Fantastic finish as it comes off the machine. So quick to flick over from one mode to the other. It also has the thickness readout thingy.

With respect to the switch issue, Simon and Cameron at Greg Mach were excellent as we tried to troubleshoot the issue, they being in Brisbane and me in Canberra. They sent a new switch even though not 100% sure that was the problem. Local electrical engineer spent 2.5 hours testing, diagnosing and then fitting the switch (which wasn't quite the same size but got it to fit). The engineer just billed Greg Mach directly.

Jane

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warrick

I have the woodfast version of this machine and had a similar problem that baffled for ages. Finally got around to around to doing some investigation and found the cam that operates the micro switch on the dust chute had come loose and would move during operation and cut out the machine. Check for manual to see where it is located, its an easy fix if it is the problem.

Rick

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Hey warrick,

I'm having the same issue I believe. I'm struggling to see what you mean with the limit switch. Potentially I'm missing the part however I had the machine running for a full day before it decided to stop restarting and all the same parts are still there. Do you have any pictures ?

Remove the fence. Remove the cover in attached photo. Limit switch is black box to the right. You will see the mechanism that makes contact with the switch. Move it with your finger to hear the click within the switch. Then swing the dust hood over and back and you should hear the same click if contact is working. [All this of course with machine disconnected from power source]

Jane

Attachment 445840Attachment 445841

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Originally Posted by Aedan

Hey warrick,

I'm having the same issue I believe. I'm struggling to see what you mean with the limit switch. Potentially I'm missing the part however I had the machine running for a full day before it decided to stop restarting and all the same parts are still there. Do you have any pictures ?

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Do you have the woodfast version, if so then here is the photos of where the switch is on mine. You will have to take the covers of to see it.

Rick

Attachment 445866Attachment 445867

Thanks for the responses. I've opened the unit up and found the limit switches however neither appear to be making an audible sound per se. They both operate up and down correctly and I've mildly repositioned them to optimise contact but no luck once I attempt to run with power again. The main switch vibrates somewhat when trying to turn the machine on so I'm thinking maybe that's the issue?

Attachment 445914Attachment 445913Attachment 445912

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Originally Posted by Aedan

Attachment 445914

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This is the micro switch that was playing up on mine, the cam would spin on the shaft so when in the thicknesser mode the switch was in the wrong position and would not run. Check that it is tight and cannot rotate, if it can then you will have to work out the correct position to run.

Rick

Thanks Rick. Mine appears to be depressing and relieving the limit switch correctly. Seems the main switches are pretty hard to come by. When the limit switch was working correctly did you find the green button would vibrate while the machine made an attempt to start ? That's effectively what is happening for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aedan

Thanks Rick. Mine appears to be depressing and relieving the limit switch correctly. Seems the main switches are pretty hard to come by. When the limit switch was working correctly did you find the green button would vibrate while the machine made an attempt to start ? That's effectively what is happening for me.

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Didn't have the problem with the start button but Hares and Forbes have a selection of replacement switches
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Sp...earch_view=all

Rick