Possible Probem with New Jet 16" lathe

[Richard Wilabee]

I got the lathe today and I noticed a couple of cracks where the screws hold on the power inverter. It is on there rock solid even with the cracks. Do any of you who have the Jet 16" lathe come across that and do you think it is any big deal. I was thinking about calling Jet in the morning but I'm sure they won't send out a new one. They are probably going to want me to take the Head somewhere and it probably won't be anywhere close to the Palm Spring area. Plus I would sure like to turn some wood for a few weeks first.

Rich

 

[Dwight R Rutherford]

I have a jet 1642 and doesn't show this damage. The cracks are on the plastic housing of the VFD. When it was assembled the screws were tightened too much. While not critical to the operation of the lathe, since this is a new out of the box unit, I would insist on a replacement from whichever vendor you got it from. New is new! If Jet wants you to take it to a repair facility outside of the Palm Springs area then they should cover all expenses.

 

[Richard Wilabee]

Thanks Dwight I feel just like you do. I'll let you know what happens when I call them in the morning.

Rich

 

[Andy Chen]

You should have gotten a Robust Sweet 16, Richard.🙁

 

[Tom Beatty]

crack growth

I have a jet 1642 and doesn't show this damage. The cracks are on the plastic housing of the VFD. When it was assembled the screws were tightened too much. While not critical to the operation of the lathe, since this is a new out of the box unit, I would insist on a replacement from whichever vendor you got it from. New is new! If Jet wants you to take it to a repair facility outside of the Palm Springs area then they should cover all expenses.

Lathes vibrate. Vibration causes cracks to grow. Could eventually lead to failure of bolted joint which could present a much bigger problem. Would call vendor ASAP and get replacement part. Have never assembled this lathe, so I am assuming that the part came installed.

 

[Mark Mandell]

Who Ya Gonna Call

Bypass the vendor. Call JET directly. You'll get much faster service that way. They will most likely have a rep covering your area, and my experience with them is that broken parts on new machines get replaced by FedEx.

 

[Tim L]

I agree, you should get a new replacement for the damaged cover. I wouldn't accept a NEW lathe with a crack in it, nor should you be expected to. Good luck!
Tim.

 

[Richard Wilabee]

I think this is assembly damage for sure and not shipping damage. It sure is solid around those cracks they don't open or close with pressure, no movement of any kind. Anyway I called this morning and the tech support rep had me send pictures and a copy of my invoice. I told them I have an electronics background and would not have a problem replacing it if they sent a new inverter. The problem is that the power, motor, etc goes thru the inverter and there is some wiring I would have to undo and then put back and they may not want me to do this.

Will upgrade everyone when I find out what they want to do if anything.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I would put a small rubber washer under each screw when installing the new inverter.

 

[Richard Wilabee]

I like the rubber washer idea.

Rich

 

[Richard Wilabee]

Well I called Jet and they are going to send out a new Inverter that I can install myself. I'm so glad because I didn't want to take the head somewhere. Sometimes if you want it done right you have to do it yourself anyway. He also said he was going to send me out a free can of touch up paint should I ever need it.

Rich

 

[Richard Wilabee]

Here is the latest on the Inverter. I called Jet about the two cracked tabs on the inverter. They sent me out the wrong part the first time. They sent me the digital readout module that is on the front panel instead of the inverter. I called back and they told me to keep the digital readout module and that they would send out the inverter. They told me to keep the old inverter because the two good tabs would be enough to hold it anyway and the cracked tabs were not cracked all the way through. They said that in five years from now if the new inverter was to go out I could reinstall the old one and save 600.00. I received the new Inverter yesterday and installed it today. There are about 15 wires that have to be re connected. I installed a fiber washer under the head of the hex screw and rubber washers between the inverter and the cast head.

They seem to be a first class customer service company.

Rich