Bill Schulz
03-19-2021, 2:32 PM
I have a PM3520c I purchased new 10 months ago. It has developed a ticking (knock?) noise in forward rotation. With belt loose, no chuck mounted and hand rotating, the noise is still audible. 1 tick per revolution. Any thoughts on this?
I have a call in to Powermatic. Video here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PnW5TDxtjunLbD3B7
Update: First I removed the spindle lock assembly. I loosened all grub screws (all seemed tight) on the upper shaft and moved the pullys and spindle lock/woodruff key around a bit then retightened all the grub screws. Nothing looked amiss at all. I then marked the setting on the castle nut, bent up the tab, and loosened the nut. Using a wood mallet I first tapped the end of the shaft toward the headstock then moved to the chuck end of the shaft and tapped it back toward the headstock. My though was to make sure the big bearing was seated. I then retightened the castle nut to factory setting.
I messed with this about 5 hours and I'm happy to report the clicking sound is gone. I wish I could say exactly what it was that fixed it but I can't. I used the lathe heavily this morning and still no clicking sound. I forgot to mention the the clicking did not occur on the high speed pullys. Go figure.
After going thru this I'm confident I could replace the belt and probably the bearings if required. Hopefully that will be never.
I have a call in to Powermatic. Video here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PnW5TDxtjunLbD3B7
Update: First I removed the spindle lock assembly. I loosened all grub screws (all seemed tight) on the upper shaft and moved the pullys and spindle lock/woodruff key around a bit then retightened all the grub screws. Nothing looked amiss at all. I then marked the setting on the castle nut, bent up the tab, and loosened the nut. Using a wood mallet I first tapped the end of the shaft toward the headstock then moved to the chuck end of the shaft and tapped it back toward the headstock. My though was to make sure the big bearing was seated. I then retightened the castle nut to factory setting.
I messed with this about 5 hours and I'm happy to report the clicking sound is gone. I wish I could say exactly what it was that fixed it but I can't. I used the lathe heavily this morning and still no clicking sound. I forgot to mention the the clicking did not occur on the high speed pullys. Go figure.
After going thru this I'm confident I could replace the belt and probably the bearings if required. Hopefully that will be never.