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Powermatic 3520A defect

Posts

Powermatic 3520A defect

#1

Powermatic 3520A defect

JamieDonaldson

>I unpacked tools from AAW demos this morning and found that my tool rest post now wouldn't fit into the post socket on my Stubby banjo- more dimples than a golf ball, due to the small round points on the Powermatic post socket lock screws. The lathe in my demo room was the first model that I have encountered that had 2 lock screws. These dents deformed the post enough that precise positioning is not the quick sure movement it once was on Studly, my Stubby. This dent problem can be eliminated by grinding flat the inside tip of the threaded lock screw(s),and the increased friction will actually improve the holding power as well as eliminate the denting. I consider the Powermatic 3520A to be the best middleweight lathe value on the market, and am disappointed that such an easily remedied problem was overlooked in production.

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

#2

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

John Lucas

>Jamie

I wonder if the stubby post is softer because I've never had that problem with the Powermatic tool rest or my bestwoodtools tool rests. I haven't used my homemade tool rests that much but they are made from unhardened drill rod and I don't remember having a dent problem with them. Maybe you just had your wheaties that day. I'll look at my lock screws when I go downstairs and see how the tips are.

Powermatic made some lock screws that had brass tips but they inserted the tips by drilling the screws out. This made them weak and they broke easily so they replaced them with solid screws. The original design had a cam that was operated by the screws. Very secure and didn't mark the shaft but I guess it was too expensive to make. That was one of the first things dropped. The original machines were almost $1000 more than they are today.

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

#3

no defect on mine

W.C. Turner

>My 2 tool rest locks are smooth on the ends, not pointed. I've had my 3520 for a year, how old was the one you used?

W.C.

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

#4

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

Nelson Brooks

>Sounds like a Stubby defect.

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

#5

Keith Tompkins

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

Keith Tompkins

>Jamie and I turned on the same machine in Orlando...Jamie brought his own rest, I used the one that came with the machine. After three days of various demo's, the tool rest was practically unuseable because of all of the indentations in the post.

I don't want to seem negative, but if that particular machine arrived to my shop, I would have refused it. There were deep gouges in the bed, and a big nick in the spindle's thread.

I came early to inspect the machine.....Jamie was already there, going over the machine with a fine toothed comb. Great job Jamie, thanks!

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

#6

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

Jerry Hall

>Today I unpacked my new 3520a, and after reading the posts on this thread checked my two tool rest lock downs. Both had a pronounced point on the end, shallow, maybe 25 degrees. Then checked the post and it had sharp depressions from the point. Ground the point off and tried again, and a more dished, less pronounced depression, but still distinct. More grinding to a large radius convex shape and it marks the post, but doesn't chew into it. I may grind some more just shy of flat. I may also explore some method for putting on a brass fitting of some sort.

There is definitely a problem with the lock down, and I am going to give WMH a call, to give them a heads up if nothing else.

Re: Powermatic 3520A defect

#7

Keith Tompkins

Re: no defect on mine

Keith Tompkins

>new, unused.

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