Thread: A few problems regarding MC900

I had an MC900. Like many others the capacitor burnt out. What was recommended to me when it was fixed was to spin the lathe freehand before turning it on to minimise capacitor workload. This was most important for larger pieces. Also start on slow speeds regardless of weight or size.
Hope you lathe is still under warranty.
No guarantee this is your issue though!

Originally Posted by blackwoods

I had an MC900. Like many others the capacitor burnt out. What was recommended to me when it was fixed was to spin the lathe freehand before turning it on to minimise capacitor workload. This was most important for larger pieces. Also start on slow speeds regardless of weight or size.
Hope you lathe is still under warranty.
No guarantee this is your issue though!

Thanks, So the capaciter is in that seperate compartment on top of the motor? I'll use those hints from now on thanks,

Regards...........Joash

Some motors have a thermal cutout embedded in the windings. It may go once cooled.

D

mm interesting, i adunno where the capacitor is but i have seen the motors for like 90 $. Mine goes weird when i turn it on, specially with somehting heavy on it, wont pick up speed, just goes slow, then slowely speeds up...
u should be able to get the capacitor replaced at at any auto electrical type of place.

cheeeeers

As I said, it happend yesterday, it has all last night to cool, and it still wont work.

Thanks Regards..............Joash

Originally Posted by reeves

u should be able to get the capacitor replaced at at any auto electrical type of place.

cheeeeers

Thanks, I'll try it

sorry to here your lathe died.

Sadly, from your description I think it's more than the cap. They don't normally just "stop working," they tend to fade away... which means you can start the lathe by giving the shaft a spin by hand.

Heat & a bad smell... well that's typically either burnt-out windings, a siezed bearing or something similar that's not as quick or easy a fix as swapping a cap and will probably cost more than a new motor is worth.

If I were you, while looking for a replacement cap I'd be keeping an eye out for another motor as well. I've seen them available 2nd-hand at about the same price as a new cap!

Good luck getting her going again, it's no fun when your favourite toy is broke.

Sorry to here your lathe died Auxxie..
Mine got fired up today for the first time...

Originally Posted by Auzzie turner

I have had a few problems regarding my Mc900 lathe. Yesterday I had a large piece of Camphor Laurel on the lathe, and there was a funny smell coming from the motor, and then it quit all together, It was also very very hot. I cannot get it to start again. And of course it had to happen yesterday, because I am having a huge load of bowl blanks coming up from manjimup this afternoon. Will the whole motor have to be replaced? Any help will be much appreciated,

Regards...............Joash

Sorry to hear about that motor, Joash! Sounds like youve been giving her a workout!
I have a 14 inch Tiawanese band saw, and the motor did a similar thing years ago (I used to give it a caneing) So i replaced it with an Australian made motor, and it goes like a charm now. Ifyour happy with your lathe, why not see if there are some better quality motors to throw int it. Specialy if you are doing a lot on the lathe, and not planning on upgrading soon!
Cheers!

Originally Posted by Auzzie turner

I have had a few problems regarding my Mc900 lathe. Yesterday I had a large piece of Camphor Laurel on the lathe, and there was a funny smell coming from the motor, and then it quit all together, It was also very very hot. I cannot get it to start again. And of course it had to happen yesterday, because I am having a huge load of bowl blanks coming up from manjimup this afternoon. Will the whole motor have to be replaced? Any help will be much appreciated,

Regards...............Joash

Very sad.
Unfortunately smoke seems to be an important part of any electrical or electronic equipment. Once it has come out it is very hard to get it to go back in
Check out how much new motors are.

Hi, Thanks Cedar........, for the info. I am thinking of upgrading in the next year or 2 to this lathe or somthing samiliar to that. Till then, I might try and find a stronger motor, and upgrade the stand, so when I turn those huge 7 foot width burls, I don't get eny wobble Tell me if you know of any lathes that are like the lathe above, and have spefications like or near to that,

Thanks so mouch for the info,

Regards........Joash

looks like a good lathe to upgrade to....only ones i know of that would be similar would be woodfast, stubby, and vicmarc

Vicmarcs your just paying for the name. They are excellent quality though