Could use some advise

[verbotenwhisky]

everyone has an excuse for this horrible product. You should have spent more for this or that. or, well a used one would have leaked anyway. these things are freaking expensive. 1 problem with an expensive brand-new product is bad enough. I would force a return if this were mine.

Yota, the OP said it was damaged, my understanding is it was dropped. Regardless of your thoughts of Chinese equipment a hard drop will damage most any piece of equipment. If there is obvious crate damage accepting delivery is a bad idea. My DRO had been damaged in shipment on my lathe, PM took care of me. If you see damage and accept delivery you have taken responsibility, I hope there is some uncrating photos.

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Thank you for all the input.
The biggest reason I made this thread is because I have never purchased anything (I am aware of) this big from China. I was wondering more than anything if I should have expected all these leaks and issues? PM has been very responsive to the issues but in my mind if I was to chase every leak on this lathe it would be several months if not over a year to diagnose then order parts.
I would think that the only way an o-ring would leak on a somewhat stationary shaft (like the H/L range handle) is because of pour machining or casting.
I am also very concerned with the lower gear box making noise. This might be normal, but I do know what a gear sounds like when there is too much play and this is exactly what this sounds like. Is this a problem?? Maybe not, or it could maybe crater just after the warranty runs out. You tell me what you think?
The pic with the 2 red lines is always wet and if you look closely you will see globs of casting hanging off.
Again, I hate making trouble, but I sure wasn't expecting these kinds of issues even from a Chinese product.
Just not sure what to do next. I know I would never send a product to a customer looking like this and one reason I purchased this was because PM said they had high standards for ALL their lathes.

PM is very good about supporting the products they sell. Take lots of photos and discuss it with them.

 

[pontiac428]

When you accept a freight shipment, you are releasing the shipper. If the crating failed and that caused the original damage, the shipper would point their finger at the dealer- after all, it's their crate. The dealer still has liability at this point. I assume you went with PM for their PM Guarantee, and I bet they'd work with you; it is one of the company's values as advertised. I respect the bind that you're in, though I really think you should work through the dealer. I think it's in his best interest to find a solution that works for you. Especially if your next step is to get your hands into it to try and patch the machine up yourself. Nothing wrong with repairing a machine, it's the choice I make by buying used, but you shouldn't have to be stuck finding a way to take it from here without the seller being involved. You've made a huge investment, and a portion of that cost went into direct support from PM. Just my two cents and a desire to help.

 

[yota]

Yota, the OP said it was damaged, my understanding is it was dropped. Regardless of your thoughts of Chinese equipment a hard drop will damage most any piece of equipment. If there is obvious crate damage accepting delivery is a bad idea. My DRO had been damaged in shipment on my lathe, PM took care of me. If you see damage and accept delivery you have taken responsibility, I hope there is some uncrating photos.

were all of the other leaking machines discussed on here dropped?

my opinions of chinese manufacturing are not unfounded. I have stated a number of times that PM is likely the best of the importers of these types of equipment. however, if the manufacturer they are using slips in control of its manufacturing processes, PM is unlikely to know until the machine is being used.

chinese manufacturing was bad enough before covid. as they likely lost several million people to the disease they developed, it is possible that many of the older workers who knew what they were doing may no longer be around and the work is being carried on by those with less experience and/or desire to produce to the quality level that PM (or other importers) have contracted with them to produce.

 

[Rufustoad]

I do not think this has anything to do with dropping the lathe. I do not actually believe it was dropped plus it was not noticeable in the truck. They have the lathe boxed and I did not see it until I completely removed the walls.
This does show that if they are not smart enough to pack the thing they may have issues building it. Oil leaks are not formed from drops.

I was told on another forum that PM has gone to another manufacturer but not sure of this.

""I think it's in his best interest to find a solution that works for you""
Not sure what that is. Has anyone listened to the video I posted?? Is this normal noise in the gear trains?
My thought is to move away from Chinese and learn my lesson but I doubt PM is thinking this. With globs of cast drooping from the walls, oil leaks from almost every crevice on the gear boxes and that gear noise....I am a bit nervous.
I was hoping someone on hear would hear that noise and suggest whether it is normal or not. This might help me make my decision.

I am no oring expert but I have replaced a ton of them and it is hard for me to believe an oring started leaking just out of nowhere. I could see if they were just junk but in my head its pour machining. I have had to already send several things back to PM for terrible casting and machining.

I had this delivered late Feb and have not a lot of time on it so having faith in Chinese equipment is dropping.

I might add that I have a full time job and I travel extensively. I have to take this into factor as tracking all these leaks and pulling gear boxes apart then ordering parts is a tough gig.

 

[Charles scozzari]

I do not think this has anything to do with dropping the lathe. I do not actually believe it was dropped plus it was not noticeable in the truck. They have the lathe boxed and I did not see it until I completely removed the walls.
This does show that if they are not smart enough to pack the thing they may have issues building it. Oil leaks are not formed from drops.

I was told on another forum that PM has gone to another manufacturer but not sure of this.

""I think it's in his best interest to find a solution that works for you""
Not sure what that is. Has anyone listened to the video I posted?? Is this normal noise in the gear trains?
My thought is to move away from Chinese and learn my lesson but I doubt PM is thinking this. With globs of cast drooping from the walls, oil leaks from almost every crevice on the gear boxes and that gear noise....I am a bit nervous.
I was hoping someone on hear would hear that noise and suggest whether it is normal or not. This might help me make my decision.

I am no oring expert but I have replaced a ton of them and it is hard for me to believe an oring started leaking just out of nowhere. I could see if they were just junk but in my head its pour machining. I have had to already send several things back to PM for terrible casting and machining.

I had this delivered late Feb and have not a lot of time on it so having faith in Chinese equipment is dropping.

I might add that I have a full time job and I travel extensively. I have to take this into factor as tracking all these leaks and pulling gear boxes apart then ordering parts is a tough gig.

My 1440 geared head also has what could be excessive gear noise in certain speeds but not all. I drained mine to clean out the gearbox when almost new and now use 30w motor oil with no problems. By chance is this the lathe you have.

Thanks.

 

[Rufustoad]

No sir. Bed might be closer to the same but everything else is different. My is the 2V with the VFD. Your lathe looks like its brand new!!

 

[Charles scozzari]

Thank you,

 

[coolidge]

My 1440 geared head also has what could be excessive gear noise in certain speeds but not all. I drained mine to clean out the gearbox when almost new and now use 30w motor oil with no problems. By chance is this the lathe you have.View attachment 511970View attachment 511971Thanks.

OMG what is with the puke cream colored paint with maroon highlights? Same colors on this bed mill I just purchased, yech!

 

[verbotenwhisky]

No sir. Bed might be closer to the same but everything else is different. My is the 2V with the VFD. Your lathe looks like its brand new!!

Have not seen your video, mine is noisy, not what I would consider excessive though. I do not know if it helps but this is what my gear head sounds like at 700RPM.