CL300M Mini Lathe Motor issues

Hi my name is Dave Drury and I am new to the site,

I am also new to lathes and just wanted a hobby lathe to make wheels and small items for the grandkids toys.

I have just aquired is a 1979 Clarke CL300 M , and been told that the circuit board appears to be faulty after the motor was started with the drive going that direction against the end stop in error.

I have the Type 95D-1, 250W DC- 230 motor and the 2325 early type circuit board fitted.

When I removed the drive belt to test, (retired industrial electrician), the motor would turn with no load, but as soon as it had any load it would not run, hence the board might be poorly maybe.

As far as I can tell after removing and testing the motor it appeared Ok.

I cleaned the armature, the brushes are fine and free,no burning or shorts between segments, evenish ohms readings opposite segments and segments to earth clear and it ran with no load, no fault found.

All from watching UTube info and I still have my old Fluke meter from before I retired.

There have been suggestions here about which electronic components might be at fault, but for reasons explained below even a working one is very delicate, time for a more modern solution.

I have researched a little and am under the impression that the board is not robust and is expensive to replace, one of your kind readers suggested a more moden AC to DC controller from E Bay @ £20, which is no problem.

My question is has anybody found a better solution even if it costs a bit more please?

Regards and thankyou for any help

Dave Drury

Welcome!

Lots of mini lathe users on her who can provide help.

Have you checked the motor brushes?

The control boards do not like the machine being started or stopped with the speed set to anything other than Zero. The Operator manual specifically warns of this.

Replacement boards are available, (I believe that the USA made boards are better than the original Chinese ones; but have no experience. ) Arc EuroTrade are one possible source.

There are knowledgeable folk on this Forum who can repair boards, some times using improved components.

It has only a small motor, so do not expect to take deep cuts at high feed rates. The manual considers 0.010" 0.25 mm ) a roughing cut, although lots of folk exceed this, and survive

HTH

Howard.

Hi Dave. If you enter CL300 into the search box at the top of the page above the green header you will get to a whole list of previous posts on the subject. Blew the board on my machine many years ago and bought a replacement (ouch). Learnt my lesson and haven't done it since. Best of luck .

Anthony.

I can't help with the problem but welcome to the forum David.

Welcome to the forum Dave, I'll move and retitle your post so it is more likely to bring help.

Neil

Hi Dave

Welcome

I can speak from experience and with no connection to any company.

My workshop is powered by DC brush motors with American built AC to DC speed controllers form Dart, Minarik, KB Electronics.

With your background it will be no trouble for you to set up the controller to the motor.

Not the cheapest options available but reliable as to be able to set and forget.

Eric

Hi Eric

Thanks for your reply, are these units just a straight converter, I.e not voltage dependent with the American grid at 110 volts and our grid at 230 volts ?

I did look at AC / DC converters on EBAY but as they only cost about £20 I thought in this case too cheap.

I will try and look the ones you suggested up to see their spec and cost.

Thanks again regards

Dave Drury

Hi Dave

Try this Link for Electronic DC Controls A great library of mauals is available at the bottom of the KB's Page

KB Electronics Or Minarik Minarik DC Motor Control Or Dart Dart DC Motor Control

I bought units and motors from Factory surplus spares sales for a fraction of the cost of new units.

Read and Enjoy Eric

Hi Eric

I thought I replied, but will have another go for anyone who might find it is some thing they are watching for advice.

I was looking at the Dart site when your message came through on my phone, in the brief time I looked I could only see a battery feed unit. With the guildence of the above post I now can see KB Electronics sell both USA spec 110 volt 60 hz as well as UK spec 230 volt 50 hz.

These looks alot better than the Ebay "special "at £20, but as you say at a price.

Thanks again for your input.

Regards Dave