Adrian Brentnall wrote:
HI Folks

Last year I bought a Clarke 5-speed bench drill from CPC.
(Budget end of things, I know - but should be serviceable, I thought..)

It has been very lightly used since then - probably not more than 1 - 2
hours total use and is installed in a dry, heated workshop.

Just now it has refused to start - the motor buzzes, but it won't spin
up to speed. When it was running a few moments before there was a slight
'roughness' in the sound of the motor - and, perhaps, a slight
'electric' smell - but, at the time it was running very lightly loaded -
so I don;t think I'd have 'cooked' it.

The official warranty is for 12 months (so that expired in April!) - so
any suggestions as to anything I could check to maybe get it working
again, please ? It has a 'two-button' NVR start-stop switch...

I've contacted CPC and Clarke via email - but I'm not holding my breath g

Thanks
Adrian

Following up my own post....
Clarke's (bless 'em!) have kindly sent me a new motor start capacitor -
which fits in a 'pod' on the outside of the motor. I't rated 6uF /
450vAC. The original has two black wires that disappear into the innards
of the motor (don't want to go there ! g) - but the new one has a
black wire and a grey wire. Am I right in guessing that this is likely
an unpolarised capacitor, and can be connected in either way round ?

I was going to snip the original wires and butt-crimp the new connections...

Meanwhile - CPC who sold me the thing in the first place - have sent me
a second email .... as follows -

"My position within CPC is to deal with any feedback that comes through,
whether or not this be negative or positive. My role has been
established in order to liaise with the General Manager, Contact Centre
Manager and all other departments, passing information so that we can
strive to improve our service at all levels.
Whilst I do not wish to enter into any conflict our position remains the
same. Your order was placed 8th April 2009 and therefore out of any
warranty period for return. I am aware that a " hobby drill" is not to
be used in an everyday situation and please be assured that I am not
suggesting you have done so, however we are unable to prove how and in
what application this has been used and with it being out of its
warranty period we are unable to accept this back for replacement or credit.
As previously stated an inherent fault under the " not fit for purpose"
legislation would mean that the goods have been faulty since date of
despatch and you would have not had any use from this equipment, there
are no notes against this order to suggest otherwise. After the 1st 6
months from date of despatch it would be the customers responsibility to
prove that the item in question was not fit for purpose. If you would
like to return the part for inspection I am more than happy to do so but
please note this is not a return for credit or replacement. I will
request that our engineers take a look at the drill and ask their
advise, once this has been processed I will of course update you as to
their findings.

Should you wish to proceed with the above please feel free to contact me. "

Love the bit about 'strive to improve our service at all levels' -
but, in essence, the message is the same as the last email - "f**k off"!

.......nice !


So - top marks to Clarke's - CPC "nil point"

Shame that their delivery costs are so cheap - everything else about
their service is pretty awful!

Ho hum...
Adrian