Could use some advise

[pontiac428]

Understood. This has a VFD, so I believe the spindle direction is electric. Just a switch and the VFD determines that.

I think Charles means engaging and reversing the lead/feed transmission, not the spindle direction. It's normal when switching the transmission (never under power) to have to rock the spindle/chuck back and forth to align the gears, and even to get things fully meshed. I'd be curious about the noise changing as you move through different feed rates or switch from lead screw to feed shaft modes.

 

[Charles scozzari]

I think Charles means engaging and reversing the lead/feed transmission, not the spindle direction. It's normal when switching the transmission (never under power) to have to rock the spindle/chuck back and forth to align the gears, and even to get things fully meshed. I'd be curious about the noise changing as you move through different feed rates or switch from lead screw to feed shaft modes.

Yes, you're right I screwed that up but that's what I meant. Thanks for that, Charlie.

 

[B2]

@Rufustoad

When I started, I was new at this business as well. I purchased a Chinese made PM Mill and have/have had many issues. If I had known more I might have tried to return it, but by the time I figure out many of the problems I did not think the return process would work. So when I was ready to get a lathe I purchased a PM1440GT (Taiwan made) and have had virtually NO problems or leaks. Matt is very helpful at all this and he and his team try very hard to please and to make things right or to help you fix a problem. I would talk to him in a straight forward manner and see what he has to say. I know of a couple of folks who have returned a machine and upgraded or have gotten major replacement parts. The shipper is usually responsible for shipping damage, but you maybe beyond that?

Has anyone listened to the video I posted?? Is this normal noise in the gear trains?

I have not heard your video, but will say that gears can make noises. VFD's driving the wrong kind of motor can also cause the motor rpm to be unstable or interact with mechanical loads that vary with rotational position...... and can cause vibration.

Trick: If you have not tried it I can suggest a trick I learned from a auto mechanic long ago. The bearings were going out of my generator (yes, before alternators) and I could hear the noise in the engine compartment, but could not identify where it was coming from. The mechanic had a long steel rod which he placed against various location inside the engine area and place the other end of the rod behind his ear at the bone in his skull. This transmitted the vibration (sound) directly to his hearing and so was very discriminating as to its origin. It was very clear when he placed it against the generator that the noise was coming from this device. Replaced the generator and all was fixed.

Good luck,
Dave L.

 

[Dabbler]

@Rufustoad you might well be over-sensitized to any possible issue, as a result of the shipping damage and the leaks. It is very common to find collapsed pallet boards in shipping these days.

My Leblond 15" is a well made, higher end lathe, made in America. It also leaks like a sieve. I am the second owner, and the first was a good friend, and I helped move it into his basement.

We have to reset a little here? Does the lathe work well? Does it do what you what and is accurate enough? Does it have the features you wanted, working?

Every lathe with spur gears in the QCGB has noise when feeding and threading... I listened carefully to your MP4 file, and it was normal. Every lathe I have used, except a Shaublin and Harding sounded like that. The gear pack is made up of a lot of spur gears sharing a single key, and there has to be play in order to assemble the gear packs. The clearance might be more than for a more expensive lathe like a Mori Seiki, but those 50K$ Japanese lather still sound like that, just a little quieter.

I also hear spur gear noise in your head stock, which is also very common. Spur gears that move on shafting must always have clearance in order to work, making them noisy.

 

[coolidge]

Mori Seiki, but those 50K$ Japanese lather still sound like that

There's a Mori ML/MS 850 lathe near me that's getting no love whatsoever. Started at $7k and now down to $4.5k

 

[Charles scozzari]

When I worked I met the manager/engineer of a big building with many elevators that were slated to to be replaced.The ones that are in service were 80 years old and the wanted new machines to replace the leaking ( babbitt bearings and rope seals ) ones because the insurance co. deemed them a hazard. The Manager looked at me and said when I see oil on the floor I know the bearing are getting oil and the maintenance man is doing his job. So the new ones will probably last 15 years.

 

[dabear3428]

His noise sounds like a bent carriage drive spindle with some keyway knock to go with it, but what would I know, it's a cell phone recording coming from the other end of the internets. If it were me, I would disengage the feed transmission and see if the noise goes away to isolate the headstock from the feed/thread gearbox, but only after checking the belts for the possibility of zero-load tension oscillation. Hard to say from here in my recliner with my laptop and a cat on my lap.

cattop computer?

 

[pontiac428]

cattop computer?

No, the cat doesn't do much computing, she's mostly a critic. And likes the warm air that gets blown out the back of the laptop.

 

[MG&L]

While there are many points of view here, in short, I would have to agree with Yoda. I own a PM 1340GT, PM950 Mill and UE-712G bandsaw (which is PM) and the service at PM has been great (well there is the one salesman who is simply a brain numbing used car salesman personality). I have had no reason or experience to express negativity about their products. In fact, so far, quite the opposite! I will also add that I am one to not complain or whine much. BUT, if I am spending $11K, I don't care what the item is, that is no small chunk of change - I want that value. It would not matter to me if I have to wait for another. Once the new one is in place, you will be glad you stood up for yourself and your pocketbook. instead of continually experiencing machine downtime caused by constantly identifying new flaws or issues for the next xx years. Now don't think that you will receive a perfect, no flaw machine from any company - that would be the exception and not the rule. If ANY company showed that you owed them 10 bucks, you can be assured they will press you to get what they are owed. I see customer value in the same light. Keep in mind there is a proper way to go about it, and a not so proper way. Courtesy, respect and level-headedness (but firm) will often get you better results. Good luck.

Oh, and yes, Taiwanese is a definite step up from Chinese the vast majority of the time (and worth the extra $).

 

[yota]

While there are many points of view here, in short, I would have to agree with Yoda. I own a PM 1340GT, PM950 Mill and UE-712G bandsaw (which is PM) and the service at PM has been great (well there is the one salesman who is simply a brain numbing used car salesman personality). I have had no reason or experience to express negativity about their products. In fact, so far, quite the opposite! I will also add that I am one to not complain or whine much. BUT, if I am spending $11K, I don't care what the item is, that is no small chunk of change - I want that value. It would not matter to me if I have to wait for another. Once the new one is in place, you will be glad you stood up for yourself and your pocketbook. instead of continually experiencing machine downtime caused by constantly identifying new flaws or issues for the next xx years. Now don't think that you will receive a perfect, no flaw machine from any company - that would be the exception and not the rule. If ANY company showed that you owed them 10 bucks, you can be assured they will press you to get what they are owed. I see customer value in the same light. Keep in mind there is a proper way to go about it, and a not so proper way. Courtesy, respect and level-headedness (but firm) will often get you better results. Good luck.

Oh, and yes, Taiwanese is a definite step up from Chinese the vast majority of the time (and worth the extra $).

Yota, not Yoda. Yoda is a Star Wars thing. Yota is a Tacoma truck thing.