Thread: Speed Controller

Hi David

Most of these lathes are able to be converted to electronic speed control, and there is probably someone on here that has done it with this particular lathe. I'd ring Carba-Tec and ask them if the parts are available and what the cost is as a starting point.

David, usually the motor controller is $600-$800, Amos

Hey David Pen State has them for 109.00 I just bought one for my jet . Take a look and see if it will work for you. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLVSKIT.html
Jon

Originally Posted by Woodenink

David, usually the motor controller is $600-$800, Amos

Probably a cheap to but a new lathe and sell the old one at that price.

Originally Posted by smitty9306

Hey David Pen State has them for 109.00 I just bought one for my jet . Take a look and see if it will work for you. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLVSKIT.html
Jon

This is OK if you live in the US, voltage here in Australia is different

Originally Posted by dj_pnevans

I have a MC1018 Lathe it is a variable speed if you change the belts. What I want to do is put a speed controller on it. Has any one done this yet? If so where did you get it from.
David

Dead simple did it to my Tough, what you need is a 240V delta/415V star connected three phase motor, connect the motor 240V delta and then connect it to a single phase variable frequency inverter (these operate 240V single phase input and 240V three phase output and it will run on a 10 Amp supply).

Then if you want, connect a remote stop/start switch, a reversing switch and a 10 ohm pot to dial up the speed you want, you can then mount the inverter out of the way, you will also have to use EMC compliant cable between the motor and inverter.

Cost about $150 - $200 for the motor (.75Kw 4 pole) and about $600 for the inverter.

Well worth doing I haven't changed a belt ratio in about ten years.

See a motor seller like TECO or CMG. CMG have a motor with the inverter built in made especially for woodworking machinery no idea how much though.

Regards

Phil

i want to do this on my nova 1600 lathe also. it has a 1hp motor at the moment i i dot want to go any smaller.

Here is the easy option.
http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/..._id=1107452577

Just ask what he thinks of the motor.


Only applicable if the motor can be mounted on the outboard side of the latheMC1100 , then change pulley etc

On most other lathes just a quick and easy change over, hardest part is getting the old pulley of.

Like Phil said, a VFD and a suitable 3phase motor are all that is required.

VFDs have come down in price a lot, they sell for around the $250 on Ebay. I have seen them go as low as $150.

1 hp - 3phase electric motors regularly crop up on Ebay, I picked one up last month for the princely sum of $15!

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

Here is the easy option.
http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/..._id=1107452577

Just ask what he thinks of the motor.


Only applicable if the motor can be mounted on the outboard side of the latheMC1100 , then change pulley etc

On most other lathes just a quick and easy change over, hardest part is getting the old pulley of.

I don't like variable speed lathes because I generally pull them up due to the lack of torque, but this set up. Oh yeah baby!

I have a Technatool 3000 fitted with this set up.

It is fantastic.

No loss of torque through any speed range but it still requires belt changes to operate at its best.

Did I tell you it was fantastic?

I've had the same motor on my lathe also a Teknatool (Nova) 3000 (Compliments of Jim Carroll) for a couple of years and it's unstoppable even at around 20rpm.

Kept on telling how good they were. About time he bit the bullet. He hasn't stopped raving about it since he got the thing.

Like I can bring most lathes to a stand still but I can't even come close with this one. You could put it up against any other motor on the market and I reckon it would win hands down.

Not cheap but worth every cent. I would gladly pay more for the same motor if I had to replace it. That's how good this one is.

On the 3000 with 8 speeds and the variable it gives you absolutely phenomenal speed control and so much torque that nothing is impossible to turn at speeds down to as low as around 20rpm and as high as the speed of sound (or there about).

Buy one and you'll never look back.

Did tell you it was fantastic? He lied.... Fantastic is an understatement.

Cheers - Neil

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Like Phil said, a VFD and a suitable 3phase motor are all that is required.

VFDs have come down in price a lot, they sell for around the $250 on Ebay. I have seen them go as low as $150.

1 hp - 3phase electric motors regularly crop up on Ebay, I picked one up last month for the princely sum of $15!

Be careful buying this way there are considerations of electrical safety, warranty and not to forget that these types of VVF drives are industrial equipment and the standards are different in a domestic application they may cause RCD's to trip constantly.

Originally Posted by

I don't like variable speed lathes because I generally pull them up due to the lack of torque,

What most people do when they convert is to use the same sized motor and this results in loss of torque at mostly higher speeds, there also can be a problem with excessive heat in the motor when the motor is run at less than 50% of the motors rated speed. 20 years experience with these things has taught me to increase the motor to the next size this usually resolves the torque problems and, with more iron in the motor usually solves heat problems at low speeds. There are also some useless speed controllers on the market that are not worth a pinch of goat poo also.