Workshop Wednesday: Replacing the Relay on my Laguna Revo 1836 Lathe

Workshop Wednesday: Replacing the Relay on my Laguna Revo 1836 Lathe
I finally got around to replacing the starting relay on my lathe. I have the 220v 2HP model but I imagine the process would be the same for any of the Revo lathes. I was having an intermittent issue where I would push the “Start” button but the lathe would not start spinning right away. The replacement was straight-forward enough but actually doing it was a challenge due to tight spaces and tiny screws and clumsy fingers and spade connectors that don’t want to come apart easily. Which, ultimately is a good thing but for crying out loud I struggled with that part!

[@jackthompson5092]

You are the fifth KZbin person that I have seen that has had problems with there Laguna Revo 18/36. Kind of makes me think that I will stick with my Delta 12/36 that I upgraded to a 16/36 by putting riser blocks under the head and tail stocks. I also salvaged the motor and controller out of a discarded tread mill so now have variable speed and reverse. Glad you persevered Lisa. Now let’s get back to turning.

[@LisaRamlow]

I’ve had a couple of issues but Laguna has been great about making it right. This was a very straightforward replacement complicated by physical accessibility, though the relay shouldn’t have flaked out within the first two years. I had a Delta Midi lathe before this and they had a whole bunch come out of the factory with the forward/reverse switch wired backwards. I’d have loved a Robust but that was just out of my budget. Love your modifications, it’s nice to be able to do stuff like that! 😃

[@alinmayerthorpe7801]

That looks like it was fun or a pain, at least you got it working again and I agree keep things clean under what you are working on, a real pain is doing something outside and losing it in some grass! well done and thanks! Cheers Al

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Al! Yes, I hate losing things in the grass too!

[@jimdaly5077]

Hi sorry I had to laugh when you dropped the Alan screw I have been there so often myself, and then when you dropped the second one 🙃honestly well done your a credit to your self,I know I would have needed a beeping button. 👍🐝🌞

[@LisaRamlow]

Hey Jim! Yeah, I was swearing like Roy Kent in my head but trying to keep it respectable for the YT land 😬

[@crystalswenson8844]

Lisa, you are a brave soul--especially with the sound on! Well done!

[@LisaRamlow]

Hey Crystal! Well, I can edit out the bad stuff but I tried to keep it PG-13. I will tell you that once I turns the camera off it sounded like Roy Kent walked into my shop 😬🤣

[@crystalswenson8844]

Alas, Roy Kent, not Roy Rogers? 😂😂😂

[@LisaRamlow]

Nope, definitely Roy Kent 🤣

[@STMwoodturning]

Glad you got the lathe fixed. If I had filmed myself doing this project, YT probably would’ve censored the video for language 😂😂.

[@LisaRamlow]

As soon as I turns the camera off it sounded like Roy Kent walked in the shop 🤣

[@STMwoodturning]

@@LisaRamlow 😂😂 I thought the room lighting looked… purple? 🤣

[@annlaurie1484]

Well done for even attempting this, must have the patience of a saint! 👏👏😁

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks! It was a little crazy-making!

[@jackburton6085]

Nice work Lisa, that gave me a little anxiety myself! I was yelling “move your head, Lisa!” Lmao😂😂😂😂 seriously tho, I hope it doesn’t give you any more trouble! Peace out and thanks for sharing!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Jack! Yeah, when I had the camera on the overhead mount I knew there was gonna be some grey hair “blackouts” but sometimes that happens 🤣

[@cookiescoop6065]

What a pain in the bottom you kept your cool .have a great day ✌️

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks! It was a struggle but I made it! 😃

[@triciahumphrey6453]

You inspired me to dive into changing the directional switch on my 12/16. THANK YOU

[@LisaRamlow]

Just mind the screws! And I hope they sent you the little wrench!

[@triciahumphrey6453]

@@LisaRamlow no video or PDF. One thing that concerned me was when I opened the control box, it was full of sawdust and wood shavings. I didn't see that on your lathe. The two screws under the handles were just fine tight. Hopping that blowing and brushing all that out will suffice. Smile! You made my week. 😃

[@LisaRamlow]

There was a little bit of dust etc in the control box but I only removed the plastic film that it came with from the factory a couple of months ago so that makes sense. The digital readout isn’t sealed in any way and I’ll get lots of stuff in there now. Did you get it switched out?

[@triciahumphrey6453]

@@LisaRamlow I did. It was much less complicated than your repair. I haven't turned anything yet but the new switch works well. Thanks for sharing. 🤗

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Good work.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! It was a bit of a struggle but I made it! 😃

[@JP-st2mk]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I also have the Laguna 18:36 and so far it's been working like a champ. Glad that you got yours back up and running without too many problems. 😁

[@LisaRamlow]

I love the lathe, and this is a really minor problem - just a bit of a pain to get at 👍

[@customcraftsbybruceslaton4872]

Congrats, well done

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! It was a bit of a struggle but I made it! 😃

[@gregoryh4601]

Lisa Job Well Done. To bad Laguna don’t make it Easy for the People buying their Lathe. All they had to Do is Label the wires on the Coil too.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Greg - yeah, labels would’ve helped for sure

[@triciahumphrey6453]

Totally impressed with your tenacity and mechanical skill. I have a Revo 12/16 and it spontaneously changes direction. They sent me a tiny box with no PDF. I'll guess I'll have to ask for one. Would it have been feasible to cut the old relay wires one by one as you hook up the new relay? Definitely FUBAR that they just mail it parts.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Tricia! Oh dear, that seems particularly problematic and most unhelpful! I sent them an email before I was going to instal it and they replied with the pdf. Seems like that should’ve been sent initially but if you ask them I’m sure they have instructions. I could’ve marked the wires somehow and cut them all off but I was afraid to screw up the wiring so I just dealt with it

[@triciahumphrey6453]

@@LisaRamlow I get it. I'm afraid of messing up something too. I'll give them a call and ask for PDF. I got it to one time stay in forward so I left it there for two years with no reversal. Now I hit the switch and it does hesitate, goes in reverse for about 3 revolutions, then goes forward. Guess it's time to stop procrastinating. Now all I have to do is find the part they sent.

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

Wowser Lisa ! That was painful on so many levels, but all's well that ends well. Did you bleed any ? Dunno know what else to say 'cept ... Thanks for sharing. Take care. -Mike

[@LisaRamlow]

Hey Mike! Nope, no bleeding just a bit of a scrape here and there. Glad that little project is over!

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

@@LisaRamlow 😎👍

[@pangleren1025]

🤣 he he if you loose a screw, you´r screwed 🤣 well as long as you don´t "lose it" and screw it up, you´r allright....right??

[@LisaRamlow]

It was a bit dicey there for a bit! 🤣

[@jimellison3358]

I was very proud of your language control. I am afraid mine would not have been that good if you had to tighten the screws in the index plate yet that's another hair. Pull a router.

[@LisaRamlow]

In real life I am a notorious potty-mouth but I try to keep it PG-13 for my videos 😬

[@Amybaumgart]

I have had to replace a couple things in the motor of my Laguna and each time I get SO ANGRY at the engineers who designed this. I don’t think they could have made it anymore awkward to get at the motor and the placement of some of the wires makes it near to impossible. I have had the great good fortune to be able to upgrade my lathe. I still have my Laguna, but I only use it for dedicated things at this point. Shame on Laguna.

[@LisaRamlow]

😬 here’s hoping mine behaves cuz I definitely don’t have the resources to replace it.

[@tangobravowhiskey7771]

Can you please tell us what the indications were that the relay was failing? Thanks

[@LisaRamlow]

The motor wasn't always starting when I pushed the start button. I initially thought it was that switch but when I called Laguna they said that sounded like the relay. Sometimes it worked, sometimes there was a delay and sometimes it just didn't start. All better now! Though the screw placement is ridiculous 😣

[@honeybees1970]

I have the 18/38 revo and im currently in a position where its not working, its tripping the breaker immediately when its plugged in, I contacted the company that sold it to me and also Laguna directly, im hoping for some help fixing it. Ive had it for 3 years

[@LisaRamlow]

I’m so sorry you’re having issues - mine is about 2.5 years old. Your problem didn’t sound like the start relay. Laguna has been really good about helping with technical issues so definitely get in touch with their technical support. Hopefully they can get you back to turning!

[@honeybees1970]

Its looking like the vfd needs replacing Hopefully a warranty repair, not sure how good their warranty is

[@JohnWilliams-iw6oq]

Not one rude word! Wow Lisa, give yourself a pat on the back. The air would have been blue if I'd had those hassles.

[@LisaRamlow]

I held it together thru most of it and can cut out things we here necessary but I’ll admit when I turned off the camera it sounded like Roy Kent walked into the shop 🤣

[@JohnWilliams-iw6oq]

🤣🤣🤣🤣@@LisaRamlow