Vicmarc Start Button problem and fix.

[Michael Quataert]

I have owned my VL300 for about a year and a half. Recently, when I was turning a bowl, I pushed the stop button and nothing happened, i.e., it kept turning. I discovered that the start button was stuck in the depressed position. Pushing it again caused it to pop back out, but of course the spindle kept turning until I hit the stop button. So, this kept occurring intermittently and eventually I called Ken Rude of Branches To Bowls who recommended that I open up the control box and blow it out, particularly the button. I then disassembled the button itself and discovered under the underside of the cap a little indentation which had somehow become packed with dust. It was actually the only dust anywhere in the control box. I cleaned it out with my fingernail and, voila!, problem solved. Thank you, Ken!

 

[Phil Hamel]

Simple fixes are the best!
Maybe you can cover it with something flexible to prevent future issues.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Add this to the list of reasons why I prefer the motor controller above and behind the right end of the bed rather than under the headstock. My controller is never rained on with dust and debris, and my reach to the controller is out of the line of fire.

I just do not understand why mfr's put stationary mounted controllers anywhere below and/or to the left of the spinning wood. Bad idea. I'd suggest moving the controller above and right of the bed if possible.

 

[Kevin Jenness]

Add this to the list of reasons why I prefer the motor controller above and behind the right end of the bed rather than under the headstock. My controller is never rained on with dust and debris, and my reach to the controller is out of the line of fire.

I just do not understand why mfr's put stationary mounted controllers anywhere below and/or to the left of the spinning wood. Bad idea. I'd suggest moving the controller above and right of the bed if possible.

I have two control stations with magnetic backs and put them where they are most easily accessed in a given situation. I want to be able to shut off the lathe without crossing the line of fire regardlesss of where I am standing, inboard or outboard. I've never had a problem and If some dust gets into the push butttons it is generally easily fixed as Michael discovered. modified Oneway controls

The inverter or vfd is another story and should be in a dustproof enclosure anyway. Mine is mounted below the headstock and is quite safe from dust. I agree that unenclosed vfds such as are found on Powermatic 3520s are problematic.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Magnetic controls are handy for the adjustibility to safe locations. I do like the stationary locations of mine because muscle memory knows exactly where each button and knob are all of the time. When I've changed lathe locations in the shop, I've always taken a bit of extra time to experiment where I want the controls to be, to give an easy, clear reach without having to twist or extend my reach. I try to keep that grasp as natural as possible.

 

[Bob Vaughan]

Add this to the list of reasons why I prefer the motor controller above and behind the right end of the bed rather than under the headstock. My controller is never rained on with dust and debris, and my reach to the controller is out of the line of fire.

I just do not understand why mfr's put stationary mounted controllers anywhere below and/or to the left of the spinning wood. Bad idea. I'd suggest moving the controller above and right of the bed if possible.

To the left on the headstock is my preferred on/off control position. I don't have to turn my attention away from the spinning work. Over the years I've encountered many different setups and I still prefer that setup for comfort and safety.