What would you do? Lathe problems!

[stenger]

I just purchased a good new lathe that cost me a lot of money. I dont want to disclose the name at this time because i dont want to bash anyones product. I took a lot of time and care to transport the lathe and it also cost me a lot of money and time to transport the machine. When I arrived home I put it in my shop and took it out of the crate. I found two spots of rust with pitting on the lathe ways approx. two inches long about a foot up from the head stock. I have waited almost two weeks to get an answer from the manufacturer about the problem. I sent them pictures and they want to know if I would take compensation for the rust damage. Well today I figured I would put power to the lathe and theses are the issues I found
1. The foot brake was off the motor pulley
2. A safety switch was mounted wrong, thus causing the machine not to work ( i fixed this issue)
3. The lead screw is not working.
4. The half nut lever and feed screw lever are not working properly. They are bind real hard and are hard to move.
5. The spindle rotation lever was out of adjustment, Thus causing the machine not to work ( i fixed this problem)
6. The gear box sometimes jumps out of gear.

I think i should get another machine delivered to my shop at no cost.

They are calling me tomo. to discuss the issues.

What would you all do?

 

[Keith Glasscock]

If I bought a product with that many problems, I think I would demand a complete replacement or refund (including my costs for transportation and install).

That said, I think the best you can get is for them to come get it and give you all of your money back.

Good luck,
Keith

 

[Minesweeper3433]

I would do exactly as stated above but don't hold your breath. And of course I wouldn't be buying from them again.

 

[jscandale]

I had a similar issue when I bought my first lathe. The motor was bad after only a few hours of use. The lathe is about 2200 lbs and against a wall. They wanted to send me a motor and be done iwth it. I said no, they would not budge. I called the credit card company that I bought the lathe with and had them reverse the charges. Magically, the company agreed that I should be reimbursed for my time to install a new motor in a brand new lathe that I purchased from them. I have had the lathe now for 10 years with no other issues and it is a very good lathe. I now have another one just like it that also works very well.
Unfortunately you just have to flex a little bit of monetary muscle these days to get any customer service. Sad ain't it? I didn't always used to be this way.

JS

 

[stenger]

I spoke with them today and they are going to peplace the machine. The problem is going to be moving it! It was a real pain the butt the first time.

 

[wapiti25]

Good move on your part. It is always a lot of work to move machines.

 

[jscandale]

I use these to move my machines.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200342863_200342863

JS

 

[flatlander]

John,
Those Northern Tool skates/movers look like just what I'm going to need when I move a CNC mill out of my garage/shop. Of course, first I've got to get a new shop built....but at least, now there's what looks like a relatively safe/easy way to move some of the machines out to where I can get at them with a front end loader.

I had the 3hp single phase motor of my 1st lathe - which I purchased new - crap-out within the 1st year of service. The company did not have another motor in stock here in the states, but did give me $300 credit to purchase another motor of my choice. I went with a U.S. Motors (made in Mexico) 3hp 3-phase and a Teco VFD to convert single phase into true 3-phase and control the motor. Took a little more than $300 by the time I'd paid for the VFD & an electrician to wire it in, but I've been very pleased with the results. In fact, I liked that set up enough so that when I bought another, similar lathe, I went with the 3-phase model and bought another VFD to power it.

In general, I'm not real pleased with buying machines online, or sight unseen. The 2nd lathe I purchased has some features that I don't care for, and it still leaks a lot of oil, even after I've worked at sealing shafts & sight gauges in the gearboxes. If & when I purchase another lathe, I'll invest the time & travel to look at the machine in question under power. Real PITA, but living out here in the middle of nowhere, quite a distance from the nearest dealers of machine tools, has its advantages - like having your own 1000yd range with no neighbors to complain about my shooting.

 

[Minesweeper3433]

That right there to me would make just about anything worth it. I can't stand having to pay 300 dollars a year for a range membership when I spend 11 months out of the year overseas.

"Real PITA, but living out here in the middle of nowhere, quite a distance from the nearest dealers of machine tools, has its advantages - like having your own 1000yd range with no neighbors to complain about my shooting."

 

[jscandale]

Dennis,

Those machinery movers work very well indeed. Since the footprint of a lathe or mill is usually pretty small relatively to the size and weight of the machine, it is a bit top heavy. Those skates also have a threaded hole throught the center allowing you to bolt throught one of the mounting holes in the machine. Belive me, you need to do that because just a tiny bit of uneven surface lets one of the lose contact with the machine when you are slowly creeping it across the floor and then you realize you only have 3 skates instead of 4 under the corners of the machine. I used these when I had to epoxy coat the shop floor and had to set the machines outside for a few days. They handles some 2000+ machines easily since they have a 6 ton rating.
I like the middle of nowhere idea, cause believe me, neighbors are over rated.

JS