I bought a Grizzly 12x36 gear head lathe in July of 02. I have been
happy with the machine, no problems until 4 weeks ago, then the motor
quit! I had been concerned about this very thing due to the many
posting regarding motors from China. The motor, like the lathe was
warranted for one year. I was going for try to find a USA made motor
for it but when I checked the shaft it was metric, would mean I would
also need a new pulley. So I called Grizzly's customer service
prepared to buy a new motor from them. I explained the problem, the
guy said the motor is bad and it should not be after 16 months of
light use. (I am just a hobby user) He told me to send the metal tag
off of the old motor and they would send me a new one, no charge! New
motor arrived pre paid; now the lathe runs fine again. I believe that
Grizzly went beyond what that were required to do and have customer
service that is true "customer service".


Paul in NE Ohio (happily making chips with the Grizzly again)

"Paul Hiers" wrote in message
om...
I bought a Grizzly 12x36 gear head lathe in July of 02. I have been
happy with the machine, no problems until 4 weeks ago, then the motor
quit! I had been concerned about this very thing due to the many
posting regarding motors from China. The motor, like the lathe was
warranted for one year. I was going for try to find a USA made motor
for it but when I checked the shaft it was metric, would mean I would
also need a new pulley. So I called Grizzly's customer service
prepared to buy a new motor from them. I explained the problem, the
guy said the motor is bad and it should not be after 16 months of
light use. (I am just a hobby user) He told me to send the metal tag
off of the old motor and they would send me a new one, no charge! New
motor arrived pre paid; now the lathe runs fine again. I believe that
Grizzly went beyond what that were required to do and have customer
service that is true "customer service".


Paul in NE Ohio (happily making chips with the Grizzly again)

I heartily agree, they went beyond their obligation. Smart thing to do,
keep the customer happy.

However, you could experience the same thing at some date in the future, so
it might be a good idea to make a sleeve that will adapt your metric motor
pulley to the fractional inch size shaft of an American made motor, assuming
the fractional shaft is smaller than the metric one, that is. That way you
can buy one that will be reliable and not have to find a pulley to fit.
It's real easy to do, but make sure you do it all in one setup and then part
it off to length. You'll guarantee concentricity that way. I'd suggest
boring it, not drilling and reaming, in order to keep it concentric.

If, by chance, the pulley has set screw(s) that bear on a flat on the motor
shaft, you can drill clearance holes that allow them to pass through the
bushing, or if there's a keyway and key, you can cut a corresponding split
in the bushing. If the shaft has neither, and the screw(s) bear directly on
the shaft, a thin split in the bushing alone will suffice, allowing the
bushing to clamp much like a collet when the screws are tightened.

If the replacement shaft is larger, you could always bore the pulley, though
how you'd do that without a motor remains unknown. Slow business when
turning the chuck by hand! g

Harold

I bought a Grizzly 12x36 gear head lathe in July of 02. I have been
happy with the machine, no problems until 4 weeks ago, then the motor
quit! I had been concerned about this very thing due to the many
posting regarding motors from China.

My new lathe is an Enco 12 X 36.. Extremely light use and one day I was making
a cut, shut it off to measure how I was doing. Ot wouldn;t restart. I was
having some problems (Old age) so I just let it sit ????????????????????
Talked to Marty E who promptly drove out to
Apache Junction to look it over. He discovered a faulty capacitor. He went to
Grainger, bought a new capacitorand 2 nites later he had the lathe purring
along nicely.
Thanks Marty....


Paul in AJ AZ

FYI Most american motor manufacturers make metric motors. I think
Grainier and McMaster Carr carry them. I had a GE motor with a 25mm
shaft I used on a Clausing 8200 clone. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to
find one that would suit your need on ebay. maybe a european
manufacturer like Siemens. Or you could always bore the sheave to fit
the next larger American size shaft. This is if your new chinese motor
ever quits out of warrantee.

On 22 Nov 2003 15:04:28 -0800, (Paul Hiers)
wrote:

I bought a Grizzly 12x36 gear head lathe in July of 02. I have been
happy with the machine, no problems until 4 weeks ago, then the motor
quit! I had been concerned about this very thing due to the many
posting regarding motors from China. The motor, like the lathe was
warranted for one year. I was going for try to find a USA made motor
for it but when I checked the shaft it was metric, would mean I would
also need a new pulley. So I called Grizzly's customer service
prepared to buy a new motor from them. I explained the problem, the
guy said the motor is bad and it should not be after 16 months of
light use. (I am just a hobby user) He told me to send the metal tag
off of the old motor and they would send me a new one, no charge! New
motor arrived pre paid; now the lathe runs fine again. I believe that
Grizzly went beyond what that were required to do and have customer
service that is true "customer service".


Paul in NE Ohio (happily making chips with the Grizzly again)

"Harold & Susan Vordos" wrote in message ...
"Paul Hiers" wrote in message
om...
I bought a Grizzly 12x36 gear head lathe in July of 02. I have been
happy with the machine, no problems until 4 weeks ago, then the motor
quit! I had been concerned about this very thing due to the many
posting regarding motors from China. The motor, like the lathe was
warranted for one year. I was going for try to find a USA made motor
for it but when I checked the shaft it was metric, would mean I would
also need a new pulley. So I called Grizzly's customer service
prepared to buy a new motor from them. I explained the problem, the
guy said the motor is bad and it should not be after 16 months of
light use. (I am just a hobby user) He told me to send the metal tag
off of the old motor and they would send me a new one, no charge! New
motor arrived pre paid; now the lathe runs fine again. I believe that
Grizzly went beyond what that were required to do and have customer
service that is true "customer service".


Paul in NE Ohio (happily making chips with the Grizzly again)

I heartily agree, they went beyond their obligation. Smart thing to do,
keep the customer happy.

However, you could experience the same thing at some date in the future, so
it might be a good idea to make a sleeve that will adapt your metric motor
pulley to the fractional inch size shaft of an American made motor, assuming
the fractional shaft is smaller than the metric one, that is. That way you
can buy one that will be reliable and not have to find a pulley to fit.
It's real easy to do, but make sure you do it all in one setup and then part
it off to length. You'll guarantee concentricity that way. I'd suggest
boring it, not drilling and reaming, in order to keep it concentric.

If, by chance, the pulley has set screw(s) that bear on a flat on the motor
shaft, you can drill clearance holes that allow them to pass through the
bushing, or if there's a keyway and key, you can cut a corresponding split
in the bushing. If the shaft has neither, and the screw(s) bear directly on
the shaft, a thin split in the bushing alone will suffice, allowing the
bushing to clamp much like a collet when the screws are tightened.

If the replacement shaft is larger, you could always bore the pulley, though
how you'd do that without a motor remains unknown. Slow business when
turning the chuck by hand! g

Harold

Thanks for the tips Harold. The motor shaft is keyed and then at the
inner end of the pulley there is a small set screw that is tightened
against the shaft. Kinda strange I thought. I think since Grizzly
didn't want me to send the old motor back I will have it repaired at a
local motor rebuilder and have a spare. I doubt that I will ever need
it as I have maybe six tools with chinese motors, some 6 years old and
no problems with them.

Paul in NE OHIO where the snow started flying today.

Happy Thankgiving to all.