Thread: Variable speed controller on lathe is faulty

Originally Posted by Barry M

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I’m starting with a problem I have with my Record Power Herald Coronet lathe.

The variable speed controller is dying and I need to replace it. No joy with dealing with the company so I need to find a third party electrical unit that i can rig up. Not having any electronics experience I need something that I can just wire up to the motor and get back to turning.

The motor is 1HP dc 5 amp.

Are there any places in Australia where I can buy a unit that would fit my lathe specs?

Thanks in advance for any advice

I am not sure what you need. The whole VFD type device or the remote pot or pot on the lathe controls. If its the pot they readily available in all sorts of configuration etc for a few dollars to 30-40 each. Jaycar, ebay, element 14 etc
I suspect the main problem is they are now made in China. If you have to replace the whole control panel set it wont be cheap.

That machine may still be under some kind of warranty, they haven't been available that long in Australia. Their warranty for these is, or was, 5 years. I attended a product launch of that exact lathe.

You may try Mike Davies at this address. Although it is an English address, he resides in New Zealand, or did last I heard. [email protected]

For some practical advice of what it may be, you could try telephoning Machinery Maintenance Victoria. They are in Melbourne and at one stage when Record Power were releasing this lathe into Australia, they were using Machinery Maintenance Victoria.

https://mmvic.com.au/?gclid=EAIaIQob...SAAEgKZu_D_BwE

As Victoria went into lockdown about 20 minutes ago he will possibly have some spare time, give them a ring tomorrow. You will need to speak to Dean; he's the owner of the business as far as I know, but he does the repairs.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Mick.

Hughie, thanks for your comments, I’m trying desperately to wrap my head around electronics jargon and just yesterday saw an excellent youtube “the ultimate diy dc treadmill motor controller”. Posted by a knowledgable aussie, he says a 10,000 SCR motor controller and bridge rectifier is used to run a 3HP (I think) tread motor. Now my query is whether that spec would be too strong for my less powerful and less amped motor.

I will continue searching the internet to learn more about specification requirements for this type of build so I don’t blow up my motor.

Thanks, Barry.

Originally Posted by Optimark

That machine may still be under some kind of warranty, they haven't been available that long in Australia. Their warranty for these is, or was, 5 years. I attended a product launch of that exact lathe.

If it is still under a 5yr warranty (their Australian website indicates that is their standard warranty, unless in commercial use) and they don't honour that then it would be good to let us know about that here.

Even if it is out of warranty, are they providing parts and service for it? Record is major brand and those lathes are widely used in UK and Europe, so I would expect it to be serviceable here if they are selling it here.

Thanks Mick, I have just emailed details of my Record Power saga to Mike in NZ, and now I will contact Dean at mmvic. Might be making progress on this.

Barry.

Neil, I’ve had no success with Record Power contact. I am pursuing alternatives currently. I notice you’re a hills resident, I live at Bridgewater patiently waiting for nicer spring weather!

Regard, Barry.

Originally Posted by Barry M

Neil, I’ve had no success with Record Power contact. I am pursuing alternatives currently. I notice you’re a hills resident, I live at Bridgewater patiently waiting for nicer spring weather!

Regard, Barry.

Me too!