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Craftsman variable speed wood lathe model # 351.217170

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lathe question refurbishing resource turning
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64K views 45 replies 22 participants last post by  mikeksbox  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just before Thanksgiving, I bought this lathe from a local pawnshop for $200.00.
I tested the lathe before buying it and it worked ok, the only thing was turning the variable speed down to off the motor would slowly keep rotating until you shut off the main power. The knob was broken so I went to Radio Shack and bought another one. Over this past weekend I finished the base and set the lathe up plugged it in turned it on rotated the variable speed and nothing. So I checked the AC outlet ok, the power connections threw out the lathe including brushes ok, removed the potentiometer and it was not ok. Went back to Radio Shack and bought a B10K Linear-Taper Potentiometer (The B= Linear-Taper). Soldered the 3 wire connector on. I also cleaned out all the sawdust with canned air that was in the motor, and covering the circuit board. Put it all back together and still nothing. I have checked the voltage at the main line ok, at the circuit board I am getting a reading but it is very low.
This is what I am thinking that I should replace the circuit board and replace the Potentiometer with the exact Potentiometer from Sears because that one is switched.
I can't find any information about this model on the Internet except for this
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00929848000P?keyword=lathe this bowl turning accessories is bolted to the headstock of the same model lathe as mine
I would be grateful for any help or suggestions
The wood lathe is assembled with motor, speed control IC,
gear box and wiring installed as an integral part of the headstock assembly.
The 90 Volt DC motor has the following specifications:
Horsepower (Maximum Developed) ................... 2
Voltage (D.C.) .................................. 90
Amperes …................................... 12
Hertz …..................................... 60
Phase….................................. Single
RPM ….............................. 2000-10000 (Potentiometer and Circuit Board)
Rotation (viewed from left side)............... Clockwise
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thank you for your advice I have done that. What I am looking for is information from people that have used this model lathe or something similar and had the same thing happen. Why?
Don't have a big budget
Don't want to play the order the part then wait game only to have it not work
Some parts are no longer available, so are there other resources or parts that could accomplish the same thing?
Thank you
 
#4 ·
Craftsman Lathe update;
I still have not received the parts I ordered for my lathe from Sears Parts direct I called them and they said that they are on back order from the manufacture, but their Web Site has them in stock I asked who was the manufacturer of the parts and they would not release that to me. So I looked up the manufacturer by the first 3 digits.
351 prefix is Colovos Co. I called them and they said buy the end of the month?????
Has anyone ever used this lathe and if so how did you like it? Model No.
351.21 7170

Thanks for any info in advance
 
#7 ·
I had one, the tranny belt blew up 10 times in 2 1/2 years, but I had the protection plan from sears ($70) They spent a little over $3000 to fix it then when they discontinued it they spent $2000 to replace it with a Jet 1642. For me it was a great investment. There are many craftsman tools I would not purchase and a few that I would.
I wish you luck.
P.S. the tranny belt that they sell you is a gates rice paper version, but Gates also makes a kevlar version, contact them directly for a good belt, if you get that far.
 
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#8 ·
I s**k for not logging in for a long time sorry all. But in my defense I was losing any ambition and funds I had to learn wood turning and put it on the back burner. The lathe is still down what I need is to fix or replace the 2 hp electric motor. Fixing means replacing the brush holders no longer in stock and brushes.

Still would like advice

Thank you
 
#9 ·
Did you get the issue with the inoperative lathe solved? I had just busted the potentiometeron my 351.217170 lathe during a move and thought about one possible problem that could have caused the issue.

When you put it together did you re attach the two grounding wires that are attached to the lathe case by the cover you removed to access the potentiometer??

The grounding wires attach to the case using the longer cover screw in the lower left hand corner of the cover.
 
#17 ·
Help!!! I got the electronics on the Craftsman lathe working fine. Starts, has speed control through the knob so I thought I was all set.

Next issue: radial freeplay makes any chance of turning impossible. As I add a The bearings in the motor do not have freeplay so I am thinking that the issue is in the transmission. Has anyone else ran into this problem?

I have not tore the transmission apart yet. I was interested in gaining some experience from others that have before I do this.

Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated.
 
F
#18 ·
My lathe has a small amount of radial freeplay. What bothered me was the lateral free play. There is only one gear in the transmission. I lubed it with synthetic grease early on. As it was noisy, I also replaced the main bearing, which required a press. the thrust bearing is also not the best. reassembling it after replacing the main bearing was a chore. Good luck with your project. foxtrot
 
#19 ·
hi. I just found this sight. But I have this same lathe and have had it for a long time. I just took out the the gear shaft and it is nolonger avalibal so if anyone has an old one or knows a mathing brand with the same parts would realy like not to have to replace it if posible. craftsman Model #351217170
 
W
#21 ·
I also own this lathe, brand new in 1998. Been a headache for me. Turned some spindles ran lathe constant for about 1-1/2 hrs. Started to slow, then quit. Let lathe sit for a year or two. Decided to fix it. Put new brushes in, cleaned it all up started to turn, ran good for about 20 mins. then quit. Pulled out brushes, worn down to nothing. Tore down headstock, took motor apart and found magnets in stator all in pieces. Wonder if purchased this way?? Anyone know where to get new or used parts?
 
F
#22 ·
If the speed control is the problem, I have a modified treadmill speed control that should work It is no longer available from sears. The magnets in the motor sound like someone dropped it.The lathe has a very short final drive shaft, and may not be very good for bowl turning anyway ( my opinion) I have seen two of these lathes with a bad speed control. Mine now has a treadmill speed controller and except for the potentiometer not being very accurate, it is working.
 
F
#25 ·
I have a 351-217170. I have replaced the potentiometer and the speed controller. To the best of my knowledge parts are not available for this lathe from sears. It is a d.c. motor, and the car battery info. is correct. I have seen to controllers fail, and I have some new treat mill controllers that will work, but with speeds that don't quite match the knob readings. I am located near Indianapolis Indiana, and you could see one that does work.
 
J
#26 ·
I am trying to fix the same lathe. It is virtually new. Very little dust inside the head, brushes look new. Main power switch works, cooling fan comes on but motor doesn't run. I think it is the "pot" as has been suggested here. It iis no longer listed as available on searspartsdirect.com, and no replacement is offered. The problem is this: No markings are on the pot except for "tai soar" which is who made it. Does anyone know what type of pot this is? Linear? What OHm? I don't know how to check.
 
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