Member postings for colin nicholson

Hi all

I did strip down an clean the contacts within the switch as my first option but it still tripped the RCD.

Interestingly SW mentioned the RF25mill which I googled and it has exactly the same switch as on mine which I thought the one on my mill was a replacement switch.

Better start flicking through the yellow pages to have the motor looked at or a replacement motor and new switch.

Having a closer look on the motor plate it runs at 1500rpm on 50Hz

Colin

Hi

Further update. I have found a company motors-direct.co.uk selling a forward stop reverse switch for £64 - what do you think?

Colin

Hi

For Ian S C - I am not sure if it's a 2 pole or not, is there a way of telling without a spec sheet?

It has 12 spindle speeds from 125 - 2500 if that helps.

For Simon - I like the idea of the screw operated belt tensioner...next improvement!

Colin

Hello Simon

The Milling machine is a Pinnacle PMD30 and the motor plate is stamped 1991 so I assume the machine was made around that time. II appears to be no longer produced but Axminster Tools sells the same model ​- Axminster Engineer Series ZX30 Mill/Drill with a 1.5kw induction motor 240v and no reverse.

I could, because of its age just go all out and buy a new 1.5kw single phase 2pole motor and new switch to bring it up to current safety standards but with this idea I would loose reverse.

As I bought it second hand at little cost with various other bits and bobs thrown into the deal such as a surface plate, kennedy hacksaw, milling tools and a 6inch rotatory table - it may be a worthwhile investment.

Coin

hi all

Thanks for your replies.

It looks like I have 3 options

1. have the motor checked out

2. Swap the motor for a new one and loose the reverse

3. strip and clean the drum switch.

Plenty to sort out.

Although the machine is old it is in good nick and very robust, better than the Clarke mill/drill which the plastic gears smashed and the lever changing from low to high revs did not always engage as it should when the motor had stopped.

Again thanks for all you help.

Colin

Gareth

I own an ML7 - great for model making and does not take up much room, easy to get parts for and easy to look after.

I was given a Boxford but got rid of it as it soon after as it must have hard a life and was not prepared to spend money on it to keep it going but it was a sturdy lathe but the ML7 meets my needs. How often will you need to use the screwcutting gear? Again, plenty of spares for them and easy to maintain.

I use Harrisons M300's, much sturdier but changing the chucks can be difficult as they are quite heavy and are held in on cams which must be tight. The mandrel allows a slightly larger diameter round bar to be held than the ML7.

Hi to both of you that replied.

Sorry I did not reply last night. Went to bed early, had a hard day, too tired to keep awake for much longer.

The milling machine was kept in a shed and stood unused for at least 2 years. I did switch it on before buying it and it all appeared to be ok. It is now homed in my centrally heated utility room which I managed to persuade the "boss" to allow me turn part of it into my workshop area. The joys of not having to walk outdoors to a wooden shed like I used to have to before we moved into our new house.

Thanks for the detailed explanation.I wondered if it was the motor.

I don't believe the motor has been taken apart.

It's a Leroy Somer motor. On the motor plate it states;

120v, 1.1kW, 17.4A

240v, 1.1kW, 8.7A

It has two capacitors each rated for 120V. This leads me to believe the motor is dual voltage? therefore could I replace the two capacitors for a single 240 rated capacitor?

Or would it still be best to have the motor checked out?

Thanks Colin

Hello everyone

I would like some help/advice please.

I recently purchased a second hand PMD milling machine. It need some tending loving care to bring it back to life.

However here lies the problem - I think the forward stop reverse switch was replaced sometime ago. It is a mechanical drum switch... not the Dewhurst model. It is rated at 15amps, the motor is a 1.1Kw at 8.7 amps running on 240 volts

The switch at times trips the RCD in the main fuse box. I have the milling machine on its own circuit on a 32amp MCB. I think the switch is at fault and would like to replace it with a new one but not a drum switch.

.I wondered if the switch needs to be 15amp rated and can I replace it with a lower amp e.g. 10amp and the push button type.

Any help would be great as the misses complains when the TV goes off.

Thanks

Colin