Hafco AL-250G thread cutting limitations

[Dave J]

Wow, I hope your going to go them about it all, including doctors/hospital bills if you need them.
After all they are supposed to be selling fully Australian complianced machines.

Sorry to hear about your injuries, as Stuart said how where you using the lathe for at the time? Not that it makes it your fault at all as that is a major fault to fail that early, just asking. Also photos would be good.

Dave

[MarkEF]

Thanks guys, Was threading with the threading dial, not reversing the motor, was just cutting a 6mm thread, yeah it sounds like it was the capacitor, will post some photos up tommorrow. Cheers

[Dave J]

Even if it is, it should have lasted a lot longer than that. If this is going to happen to there machinery they need to start having guards fitted over them for safety. You don't here of new quality motors blowing a capacitor withing a few hours.

Dave

[tongleh]

Thanks for the warning, I haven't used mine yet, it's still sitting on the floor in bits while I finish the stand. Interestingly, the AL54B, which the AL250G replaced, had a problem with the motors and the last batch were sold without a warranty for the motors, I hope this is not going to be repeated. It does sound like a capacitor let go, although they usually only go bang when overcharged, must be faulty wiring. Hope your not too badly hurt!!!

[Big Shed]

Unfortunately this is not an uncommon occurrence with modern, safer, capacitors.

About a year ago the start capacitor on my 8" jointer gave up the ghost without warning.

Having read some warnings about older PCB based capacitors I treated it with some caution and took it to the local electric motor place.

The guy there told me that the old PCB based capacitors were very much better in durability than the new, safer, ones. PCB was banned as it was extremely carcinogenic.

He sold me a new one and told me that it could last the life of the machine or fail the next day, sometimes quite dramatically. No guarantees. Fortunately it is still going strong.

So, it may not be all H&F's fault.

[MarkEF]

Here is the photo of the motor, hope it works. Not blaming H&F,well not yet until I get a chance to speak to them, just trying to warn others.

[tongleh]

Mark,
That caps a nasty looking mess, I'll have to remember to stay away from the back end if mine starts smoking.
What type oil are you using in the headstock and gearbox, the manufacturers booklet isn't very explicit it just says use "Machine Oil"?

[Stustoys]

Is the cap out in the open on these lathes? the caps on my motors are either in a steel case or a thick plastic case.

Stuart

[tongleh]

The capacitors on mine are located inside plastic covers affixed to the rear of motor.

[RayG]

Hi Mark,

Well the good news is that just fitting a new capacitor will get you going again.

This is not an isolated occurence, I know of several other capacitor failures pretty much exactly the same, the fact that you've suffered burns and if the circumstances had been different potential loss of eyesight ought to be enough to scare the be-jesus out of them...

My asessment is that the capacitor's that their supplier is using is sub standard quality and on previous similar failures the local motor repair place simply said it's crap quality capacitors. H&F will be more than aware of the problem because of past failures.

Good luck with your discussions with H&F, you are on pretty solid ground.

Regards
Ray

[MarkEF]

Spoke with H&F today, they apologized but all they can do is send someone up to look at it when I get back from work in a few weeks, which I spose isn't to bad, better then loading it up and taking it back to Brisbane. As for oil, I have been told by alot of people to run hydrualic oil 68.

[PDW]

Hi Mark,

Well the good news is that just fitting a new capacitor will get you going again.

This is not an isolated occurence, I know of several other capacitor failures pretty much exactly the same, the fact that you've suffered burns and if the circumstances had been different potential loss of eyesight ought to be enough to scare the be-jesus out of them...

Agreed. They are asking for a lawsuit that they'll have no chance of winning.

Makes me happier than ever that nearly all my motors are 3 phase with no start caps anywhere in sight.... one of the few exceptions is a cheap POS 10" table saw I bought off of H&F over 10 years ago and yes, I've had to replace the start cap!

PDW

[Bryan]

You need to say the magic words: Legal Action. Have you documented your injuries? Seen a doctor? Taken photographs?
These pricks need waking up. You could have lost your sight.

[Dave J]

Agree, the prices are rising (even though the dollar dropped) but the quality is falling.

Dave

[Retromilling]

Unfortunately this is not an uncommon occurrence with modern, safer, capacitors.

About a year ago the start capacitor on my 8" jointer gave up the ghost without warning.

Having read some warnings about older PCB based capacitors I treated it with some caution and took it to the local electric motor place.

The guy there told me that the old PCB based capacitors were very much better in durability than the new, safer, ones. PCB was banned as it was extremely carcinogenic.

He sold me a new one and told me that it could last the life of the machine or fail the next day, sometimes quite dramatically. No guarantees. Fortunately it is still going strong.

So, it may not be all H&F's fault.

It is crap quality capacitors . I had to replace the start capacitor in my H&F Mill right from the first day as the motor would not start reliably and would oscillate on and off at first start. I for one would never buy another machine from H&F .