Ajax CNC business problems???

[rdarlington]

Hi all,

Basically, I've been trying to get ahold of the folks at Ajax CNC for over a week now. I've left messages and sent emails, made a dozen calls between their main line and their support line and so far no answers, no replies, no nothing. Are they going out of business? I'm desperately trying to buy one of their lathes before the end of the tax year but am starting to think that would be a big mistake considering their complete lack of response.

Any ideas?

[rdarlington]

Hey, they just called me back. Apparently they're slammed right now. They say I'll be getting a quote in the morning.

-Bob

[ajaxscott]

Hello Bob,

Sorry for the delay in responding. As I mentioned to you over the
phone, it's been very hectic here for the last two or 3 weeks. Adding
to the turmoil of the end of year rush, I've recently transitioned into
this position and at the same time had to migrate the Ajaxcnc website
over to a new host which caused some loss of email due to the new spam
filters. It's been a rough few weeks to say the least.

As long as I'm here, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce
myself to the Ajax community here. While I'm new to Ajax CNC, I've been
working with motion controls for 25 years and have spent the last 15
years working for Centroid in various capacities -everything from bench tech, support,
field service, training, sales to applications engineering and PLC programming.
If you're not familiar with the relationship between Centroid and Ajax,
Ajax essentially private labels the Centroid control hardware
and software.

If there is anybody here with any questions... please feel free to ask. I notice that there
is not a lot of traffic in here (the Ajax forum) but I will watch the forum pretty closely and
try to get back within a day.

Best regards,

Scott
sales@ajaxcnc.com

[rdarlington]

Okay, I give up. I'm under the impression that Ajax simply does not want my money. Requests for simple info go unanswered, I can't get anybody on the phone, etc. As a small business I really don't give a flying you know what about whatever problems there may be this month. I need to buy a lathe and expect the people that sell them to answer the phone when I call, write me back, and provide service at some level that lets me know they want my business. Consider Ajax completely excluded from my shop now.

Scott, don't bother sending over the manual, I won't be buying anything from you.

-Bob

[ajaxscott]

Rob,

I'm sorry to hear you feel that way. I'm responding to you on New Year's eve at 8pm EST within an hour of your post.

As far as I knew, I thought I had already responded to all of your questions. I wish you luck with your business in the New Year.

Regards,

Scott
sales@ajaxcnc.com

Originally Posted by rdarlington Okay, I give up. I'm under the impression that Ajax simply does not want my money. Requests for simple info go unanswered, I can't get anybody on the phone, etc. As a small business I really don't give a flying you know what about whatever problems there may be this month. I need to buy a lathe and expect the people that sell them to answer the phone when I call, write me back, and provide service at some level that lets me know they want my business. Consider Ajax completely excluded from my shop now. Scott, don't bother sending over the manual, I won't be buying anything from you. -Bob

[Ed VanEss]

Ajax Scott,
Welcome to the forum And Ajax. Sorry to hear Bob changed his mind.
I've been running Ajax on my Yamazen mill for over 3 years and love it.
Any questions I ever had I e-mailed Jesse from Ajax , and always got a quick
response , so I have a question for you. When I boot up now , I always have
to press f2 to continue. Never used to be that way. Runs on Linux.
Was hoping to see more Ajax users on this forum, but if they don't have any problems you don't hear nothing.
Thanks

Ed V

[cncsnw]

What message(s) appear on the screen at the point where you need to press F2 to continue?

Some computers prompt for F1 if they detect hardware issues early in the boot sequence (e.g. keyboard not responding; floppy drive not responding; low CMOS battery; etc.).

At a much, much later point, after the computer has booted up, Linux has booted, and Linux has started the graphic window system, the Centroid control software can display a gray "start" menu. That will generally be displayed automatically if you have (perhaps accidentally) installed multiple control software types (e.g. both mill and lathe control software on the same system). That menu will also appear in case of some errors during control software startup. However, in that case it is generally F1, not F2, that you press to restart the control software.

Let us know what you are seeing on the screen....

[Ed VanEss]

cncsnw,
Thanks for quick reply. Here's what I see on screen.
This is the first screen that comes up on boot.

DEL:Setup F8:Boot menu F12:Network Boot
CMOS Settings wrong

Press F1 to run setup
Press F2 to load default values and continue.

I always press F2.
Also on load program, it takes a couple minutes scanning directory.
It used to be faster before I installed updates from Ajax web site over a year ago.

Hope this info helps.
Thanks again.

Ed V.

[cncsnw]

That message is coming from your PC BIOS, not from any part of the Centroid (Ajax) hardware or software.

Usually messages like that are a sign that your motherboard battery needs to be replaced.

Sometimes it can be a sign of impending motherboard failure, but I would invest $3.50 in a new battery first.

[ajaxscott]

Ed,

As Marc suggests, it sounds like the CMOS battery on the motherboard is weak. On most motherboards they are in a socket and held in place by a spring contact. Worth a shot.

Regards

Scott

[Ed VanEss]

Thanks Guys,

I just pulled the battery and checked it with multimeter. It was .09v.
I put in a new 3v , and that seem to do it.
Thanks again.
Ed V

[rdarlington]

I requested a quote for shipping and never received anything but a phone call. I told you several times I needed it in writing.

I asked several questions about the chuck. It's listed as having a Morse taper to attach to the lathe, the numbers on the site didn't jive and I asked for clarification. If it truly is a Morse taper, it should not have a hole through it to accommodate stock. I asked if there were 6" chucks available and you didn't know. How do you not know your own machines? I also asked for pictures because it was becoming clear that you don't know the product line you sell and haven't received any, and my final request was for an owner's manual so I could look up the details that I need to know before buying. Basically, I haven't received any info that I need to make a purchase.

-Bob

Originally Posted by ajaxscott Rob, I'm sorry to hear you feel that way. I'm responding to you on New Year's eve at 8pm EST within an hour of your post. As far as I knew, I thought I had already responded to all of your questions. I wish you luck with your business in the New Year. Regards, Scott sales@ajaxcnc.com