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Thread: Woodfast Lathe

  1. #16
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    Still trying to decide whether to go the VFD way or not. Looking at pictures they look to have heaps of air vents and was just wondering how everyone keeps the crud out of the box itself

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  3. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gaza58 View Post
    Still trying to decide whether to go the VFD way or not. Looking at pictures they look to have heaps of air vents and was just wondering how everyone keeps the crud out of the box itself
    On dustier machines I put my VFDs on masts above the machine.
    I also put a sheet metal porch like cover over the top which further reduces dust fall out into the slots n the top of teh VFD.
    Here's the one on the lathe.
    WWlathe.jpg

  4. #18
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    Thanks Bob for sharing your wealth of info these devices.

  5. #19
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    Late to the party but I have a woodfast lathe running of a vfd, definitely worth the trouble.
    I have a Teco model, which is rated to IP65. If you can get one of these there is no issues with dust, liquid etc as they are sealed.
    Mine came from artisan supplies. They are now using a newer VFD that dramatically increases the performance, both in torque and top speed. They are 1.5kw models and used on belt grinders but it translates across to lathes. I use the one vfd to power my lathe, belt grinder and disc sander.

  6. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by mattm82 View Post
    Late to the party but I have a woodfast lathe running of a vfd, definitely worth the trouble.
    I have a Teco model, which is rated to IP65. If you can get one of these there is no issues with dust, liquid etc as they are sealed.
    Mine came from artisan supplies. They are now using a newer VFD that dramatically increases the performance, both in torque and top speed. They are 1.5kw models and used on belt grinders but it translates across to lathes. I use the one vfd to power my lathe, belt grinder and disc sander.
    Matt can you please post some photos of your set up?

    Cheers stew

  7. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by bunya pine View Post
    Matt can you please post some photos of your set up?

    Cheers stew
    I’ll get a few this arvo and send them through mate

  8. #22
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    So you can see I just have a 3 phase plug on my lathe (excuse the wires, need to heat shrink that) and a corresponding plug on the VFD. I am currently building a swinging boom for it so it’s off the bench and I can move it to each machine as I need it. You can get a switch box wired up to keep all your machines plugged in and switch between them but it’s a bit pricy for me.

  9. #23
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    Matt... I see you keep a few beers at the end of the lathe just in case
    Like the idea of having one VFD and being able to utilize it on a number of machines... Not sure about that scary wiring you have though mate....

  10. #24
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    You have to very careful about using the same VFD on different machines.

    Matt82, Have you left the original contactors on each machines?

    What are the motor ratings for your lathe, and belt and disc sanders ?

  11. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    You have to very careful about using the same VFD on different machines.

    Matt82, Have you left the original contactors on each machines?

    What are the motor ratings for your lathe, and belt and disc sanders ?
    You sure do! I have no idea about the motors except they’re all 1.5kw motors. I had an industrial electrician check them and wire it up and he assured me they’re ok to run like this.

  12. #26
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    OK - sounds like your sparky needs to read up a bit more about VFDs.

    If you leave the contactors on the machines invariably they will have motor protection (MP) built into them. This means if the motor overloads eg jams, the current it draws will rapidly increase and the MP might kick in and cut the power before the VFD does this. The effect of this on the VFD can be catastrophic ie loud bang, and smoke and it will be cheaper to buy a new VFD than to have it repaired. It may not happen the first couple of times but every time it does it overload and degrades components on the VFD and eventually it will happen.

    VFDs are brilliant at protecting motors and themselves provided ALL switches and contactors and MP systems between the VFD and the actual motor are removed. The motor should preferably be hard wired direct to the VFD and should be started and stopped via the VFD. This is usually clearly stated in VFD manuals for those that bother to read them, The VFD will protect itself and the motor in the event of an overload and some other problems.

    Assuming the switches/contactor/MPs doesn't get you out of the woods. Using a 2.2kW VFD on 1.5kW motors means that if you do not program the appropriate parameters on the VFD to suit the 1.5kW motors and there is a motor lock up under load the VFD thinks it is driving a 2.2kW motor and will allow too much current through before it cuts the power. This could let smoke out of the motor.

    Finally using the same VFD on multiple machines means the programs cannot be truly optimised for each motor. This is important for Vector drive VFDs to get full performance at low RPM. A 1440 RPM motor on a lathe can usually use speeds between 10 and 120 Hz but doing 120 Hz on a 2880 RPM motor is asking for trouble since at 120Hz it will be doing nearly 7000 rpm and neither bearings or discs or belts are designed for those speeds.

    It is far safer and better to have a dedicated VFD on each machine. Then each VFD can be optimised to suit that specific machine's motor and there's no phaffing about with plugging and unplugging etc. Good quality 1.5kW VFDs are now available for about $120 so it's becoming easier to dedicate VFDs to specific machines

    If all you are after is the the 3 Phase power of a VFD, then given your motors are all the same power you can use one VFD on your machines at 50 or even 60Hz - just make sure your VFD is programmed to suit a 1.5kW motor. I have two identical 1HP grinders running from 1 VFD, have a look at this thread VFD install summaries as to how I have done it. The grinders are "Case study #7" in post #1. This install is super cautious but runs a lot lower risk of damage to grinders and VFD.

    My recommendation would be to get a vector drive VFD specifically for the lathe so you can use a wider speed range and optimise the motor power for low RPM, and then use a separate VFD for the disc/sander and just run it at 50 or 60 Hz.

    One more thing - if the motor is locked up under load do not unplug the motor from the VFD or the same thing will happen to the VFD that I described above.

    You may be lucky and never have a motor jam under load - I guess its up to you.

  13. #27
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    Just spoke to the guys at Conon Motor re dust proofing etc. Apparently their VFD front panel is connected to the circuitry via a standard LAN cable so can be separated and mounted remotely. The key pad is already dust and moisture proof so no issues. The rest of the circuitry can be mounted in a dust proof box somewhere out of the road. The fan in the box can't be blocked off but can be in an air tight enclosure as it doesn't produce much heat. I think this is the way for me to go.

  14. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gaza58 View Post
    Just spoke to the guys at Conon Motor re dust proofing etc. Apparently their VFD front panel is connected to the circuitry via a standard LAN cable so can be separated and mounted remotely. The key pad is already dust and moisture proof so no issues. The rest of the circuitry can be mounted in a dust proof box somewhere out of the road. The fan in the box can't be blocked off but can be in an air tight enclosure as it doesn't produce much heat. I think this is the way for me to go.
    That's pretty much standard for all basic VFDs these days.

    VFD location:
    Unless you are operating 24/7 in a complete fog of dust the VFD enclosure box doesn't have to be air tight, it just needs to be protected from direct dust streams ie sprays coming off a lathe workpiece and too much fine dust depositing out of the air - that's why I locate mine above the lathe and just use a simple porch top cover arrangement. Just getting the VFD 300 or so mm above the lathe spindle will eliminate most of the dust as 95% of dust made by a lathe rapidly falls to the ground. I know blokes who have had their lathe VFD under their bench for years without a problem.

  15. #29
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    Hi all, sorry to sidetrack this thread, however I have been gifted an old Jeffwood 702 thicknesser which is 3 phase.

    I have been told about VFD's and am currently researching if this solution will work for my machine.

    What do I need to look for on the motor to determine if a VFD will be an option?

    Thanks in advance for any advice.





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    Last edited by tomkatoz; 10th February 2019 at 11:14 PM. Reason: Spelling

  16. #30
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    I have a woodfast lathe , looks like a bit later model but made in SA. It has a WEG 415v 3 phase motor wired in star configuration. If I wire it in delta mode does that mean it converts to 3 phase 240 v and I can thus control it with a 240v VFD?

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