17-04-2013, 02:36 PM
Hi,
What a disappointment. I had high hopes of repairing the circuit board but this morning I changed the Mosfet's and one of the known problem electrolytics (22uF x 50v) and have just been blowing fuses.
Our friend Harold also posted the original board which arrived this morning. I could persist and eventually get the board sorted but now I don't want to; I'm not sulking in fact far from it but sometimes it pays to try a different approach.
I've now got two blown Clarke circuit boards and the forum previously mentioned indicates just how widespread this board problem is. I want to use a lathe not get a degree in electronics so sorry Clarke lathe you are in for a heart transplant.
Rather than keep throwing money at the lathe knowing it will be only a matter of time before the board blows again should I repair it it's time to junk the board together with all the electrics and do a graft.
My plan now is to upgrade to 3 phase and use a more robust VFD to supply power. I've already taken some measurements and I think a counter-shaft is the way to go. The pulley bore measures only 8mm and browsing the web it appears pillow block bearings start with a 12mm bore so guess what I would need; yes a lathe.
I'm now considering getting stuck into one of the Myford restorations then I'll have a real lathe to play with and it will allow me to upgrade the Clarke and also finish the prototype clutch in peace. I expected too much from the Clarke and as a hobby lathe it is actually very good but I'm used to the big stuff so unless I upgrade the Clarke to give a decent cut I'll keep breaking it; with new circuit boards at around £130 I'm not going to buy one after all Harold has already bought a new board for this lathe and now I could do the same.
Whilst I had the DC motor in my hands I noticed a small lump of plastic on the bench; the motor was feeling rough in a couple of places and at first I thought it to be the fan catching the housing but there could be a number of faults on this lathe just waiting to rack up a big bill?
The pictures below show the Clarke motor housing and head-stock drive arrangement together with the lump of plastic which appeared on the bench.
I'm not in a hurry because priority will be to sort out our flood defenses; this afternoon is forecast for heavy rain and so far it remains dry but I just know once I start digging it will pour down although if I don't dig it will remain fine.
Rather than spend ages restoring my Myford's I think I'll strip the carriages and take them over to Halifax to obtain a price for re-grinding; the beds have already been re-ground so a few quid extra won't hurt too much. I had intended to hand scrape but it's very time consuming and a lot of hassle. The Clarke breakdown might have even done me a favour?
Life would be boring if it was easy.
Kind regards, Col.
What a disappointment. I had high hopes of repairing the circuit board but this morning I changed the Mosfet's and one of the known problem electrolytics (22uF x 50v) and have just been blowing fuses.
Our friend Harold also posted the original board which arrived this morning. I could persist and eventually get the board sorted but now I don't want to; I'm not sulking in fact far from it but sometimes it pays to try a different approach.
I've now got two blown Clarke circuit boards and the forum previously mentioned indicates just how widespread this board problem is. I want to use a lathe not get a degree in electronics so sorry Clarke lathe you are in for a heart transplant.
Rather than keep throwing money at the lathe knowing it will be only a matter of time before the board blows again should I repair it it's time to junk the board together with all the electrics and do a graft.
My plan now is to upgrade to 3 phase and use a more robust VFD to supply power. I've already taken some measurements and I think a counter-shaft is the way to go. The pulley bore measures only 8mm and browsing the web it appears pillow block bearings start with a 12mm bore so guess what I would need; yes a lathe.
I'm now considering getting stuck into one of the Myford restorations then I'll have a real lathe to play with and it will allow me to upgrade the Clarke and also finish the prototype clutch in peace. I expected too much from the Clarke and as a hobby lathe it is actually very good but I'm used to the big stuff so unless I upgrade the Clarke to give a decent cut I'll keep breaking it; with new circuit boards at around £130 I'm not going to buy one after all Harold has already bought a new board for this lathe and now I could do the same.
Whilst I had the DC motor in my hands I noticed a small lump of plastic on the bench; the motor was feeling rough in a couple of places and at first I thought it to be the fan catching the housing but there could be a number of faults on this lathe just waiting to rack up a big bill?
The pictures below show the Clarke motor housing and head-stock drive arrangement together with the lump of plastic which appeared on the bench.
I'm not in a hurry because priority will be to sort out our flood defenses; this afternoon is forecast for heavy rain and so far it remains dry but I just know once I start digging it will pour down although if I don't dig it will remain fine.
Rather than spend ages restoring my Myford's I think I'll strip the carriages and take them over to Halifax to obtain a price for re-grinding; the beds have already been re-ground so a few quid extra won't hurt too much. I had intended to hand scrape but it's very time consuming and a lot of hassle. The Clarke breakdown might have even done me a favour?
Life would be boring if it was easy.
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
