Problem solved. The manual they sent with the lathe was for the wrong
lathe. I downloaded the correct one from the web and it works now.

(Nick) wrote in message om...
I know this is the woodworking forum, but I was hoping you guys could
help.

I set up my new HF 12x36 metal lathe tonight. It came pre-wired
except for the plug end. I added a plug end and tried to power up the
lathe but nothing happens.

There are 3 buttons and a light on the front of my lathe. A power
light which is always lit when the breaker is on. A reset button
which pops out when I twist it. a power button which does nothing when
I press it and an inch button which does nothing when I press it. If
I go into the power panel on the back of the lathe and manually press
the small black button on the third power relay the lathe kicks on and
runs fine. It then stops when I press the reset button. The little
black button pops back out, but when I press power, still nothing. I
am twisting the reset button before trying again.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Nick