How to Troubleshoot a Craftsman Lathe

Inspect your home circuit breakers or fuses if the Craftsman lathe fails to run at all. If your breakers have tripped to the off position, return them to the on position and try the lathe again. If a fuse is blown, remove and replace it with a fuse of the proper amperage, then try the lathe again. If you electrical supply is in order, check that the on/off switch is working. A damaged power cord also can affect the power supply and the ability of your lathe to turn on.

Check that no other appliances or electrical devices are sharing the outlet with your Craftsman lathe, if the lathe is operating at less than peak power. If any other devices are plugged into the same outlet as your lathe, they can drain a portion of the power supply, and affect the ability of your lathe to operate at full power. Remove any other plugs, and try the lathe again.

Check your V-belt tightness if the lathe is able to reach full power but slows when cutting starts. If the drive belt is loose, it will begin to slip when the motor comes under stress. Tighten the V-belt and try the lathe again. Pressing down too hard on the item you are cutting also can cause the motor to slow, and cutting efficiency will be affected. Continued high pressure can cause the motor to overload and shut down.

Check the wooden material you are working on if there are noises or shaking during the cutting process. There are a few key points to remember about installing wood in your lathe: the wood your are working with should be fairly well balanced in shape and placement, it should be cut with the grain of the wood, and it should be thick enough to withstand the pressure and rigor of the cutting process.

Inspect the electrical connections on your motor for shorts and loose wires. If your power wires are loose, it can cause a short in the engine. An electrical short will affect the lathe's ability to start and continuously run properly.