Lathe Upgrade

[Mike Davis]

Thanks to a fellow NCWood Worker I was able to upgrade my lathe to a variable speed and reversible motor. Also went from 1/3 HP to 1.5 HP. The motor is so strong I can't hold it at the lowest setting.

This is a huge step up for us. And i will feel better about Collin turning bowls with the lower speeds. And I don't have C-clamps holding the motor any more!

 

[NZAPP1]

Wow Mike that looks great :icon_thum:icon_thum I need to get my lathe done too soon I hope.:dontknow:

 

[froglips]

Major upgrade!

Does the motor hang off the pully (its own weight sets the tension) or is it on a fixed platform?

Jim

 

[jhreed]

900% increase in power and variable speed too. That has got to be inebriating. That lathe looks like a hoss.
Congratulations.
James

 

[jhreed]

Mike, excuse my math. Cut that in ;half. Is that right?
James

 

[Mike Davis]

Jim,

The platform is adjustable, the knob in front will tighten the belt. But, the motor weighs enough that I let it hang and its weight tightens the belt. If it slips I will install the adjuster.

James,

Is it 450% ? I'm terrible at that kind of math. Anyway it is a much bigger motor. I can't wait to try it out, but there are other priorities in the way.

 

[LeftyTom]

Reversible? Is that a good thing with a lathe? :icon_scra

 

[TedAS]

Reversible? Is that a good thing with a lathe? :icon_scra

If you turn something too small you put it in reverse and put some of the wood back on!:rotflm::rotflm::rotflm:

Tom,
Reverse is sometimes helpful when sanding.

 

[woodArtz]

Reversible? Is that a good thing with a lathe? :icon_scra

Reversing is highly desirable when you are sanding. :icon_thum All the high end lathes come with a reverse... the really, really good ones come with a six speed and a turbo charger!

Great job Mike! Looks like that'll handle anything you can throw at it!

 

[LeftyTom]

Reversing is highly desirable when you are sanding. :icon_thum All the high end lathes come with a reverse... the really, really good ones come with a six speed and a turbo charger!

Great job Mike! Looks like that'll handle anything you can trow at it!

Do the high end models come in both automatic & straight drive?

 

[Splinter]

Nice upgrade. I think the VS is a positive upgrade and more HP, can't beat that. I'm looking forward to using VS on my new lathe.

 

[walnutjerry]

Congrats Mike-----------you are gonna like the VS and reverse.

BTW------how much swing do you have on that lathe?

Jerry

 

[TedAS]

Mike

Great upgrade.

I have been researching this upgrade as well, when I bought my new lathe I could not justify spending the $$ on variable speed. The SF lathe I bought plus the added cost of a new 220 3PH motor and VFD will still be well below the cost of a high end lathe . I am curious as to what brand / model VFD you used? And is there a reason you selected that VFD?

Ted

 

[Mike Davis]

Jerry,

It is 19 inches (9.5 from center to rails) The banjo is almost an inch thick. Everything is solid steel except the bed which is cast iron.

It will hold almost 7 feet in length. If the tailstock wasn't 18 inches i could almost get 8 feet on it.



Ted,

I bought a package deal from another wood worker. I don't have a clue what brand it is.

I think he gave me a big discount because (1) we're friends (2) he got a great deal on a better package (3) I've been whining about my lathe for over a year and he got tired of hearing about it.

 

[PChristy]

Nice upgrade Mike:icon_thum

 

[Trent Mason]

That's a nice upgrade Mike. My variable speed is supposed to have 6 speeds, but only 3 of them work and the slowest isn't that slow. A reversable motor would ROCK! Congrats! :eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[boxxmaker]

If you turn something too small you put it in reverse and put some of the wood back on!:rotflm::rotflm::rotflm:

Tom,
Reverse is sometimes helpful when sanding.

Put the wood back on,gotta try that :gar-La;:gar-La;:gar-La;:gar-La;

OH YEA great job there :icon_cheers:icon_cheers

 

[Mike Davis]

If you turn something too small you put it in reverse and put some of the wood back on!:rotflm::rotflm::rotflm:

Tom,
Reverse is sometimes helpful when sanding.

Does that work the same way if you put your bandsaw blade on backwards? I need to try that. :swoon:

 

[cpowell]

If you turn something too small you put it in reverse and put some of the wood back on!:rotflm::rotflm::rotflm:

Tom,
Reverse is sometimes helpful when sanding.

That quote is sig line just waiting to happen. :rotflm: :rotflm: :rotflm:

Glad I wasn't sipping a drink, I'd have sprayed the screen.


Chuck

 

[cpowell]

Man, super nice upgrades there! :eusa_danc :eusa_danc

New motor + new VFD = Big Smiles!!!


Chuck