Thread: Advice on a lathe

Originally Posted by Old Croc

Hey Paul,
Firstly, it looks like I am going to have to allocate a lot more time when I come to visit you after reading all this .
We run a different electrical distribution system to you guys over there. Generally most streets have 3 Phase and Neutral, which is bonded to Earth. 240Volts between each Phase and Neutral, which is the normal house supply, and 415Volts between Phases for larger/commercial loads. So for Spankingpigeon he will need a 415Volt 3 Phase motor, and these are usually 1425 RPM, and a 240Volt VSD. The VSD electronically creates 3 Phase at variable frequency to set the speed of the motor, and these and the motors are readily available here. (check some of the threads in "Dust Collection" for recomended suppliers)
In rural areas of Aus, they run a SWER system, Single Wire Earth Return, and these can only give single phase and Neutral, but you can get two lots of it out of each transformer, so 240Volt, or 480Volt. 240Volts for the normal house load, and special 480Volt pump motors.
Hope this all helps,
Crocy.

As I said in this post, get a professional shop to set it up for you, I bought mine off Woodfast, and have not looked back.
rgds,
Crocy.

Originally Posted by spankingpigeon

Its just running a v belt, not sure what the size is i'll have a look.
As much as i would like it done now there is no real great need to hurry it.
Sounds like you have some nice lathes.

As you use your lathe more, and if you find a way to easily lift the motor to change the belt from pulley to pulley, you may decide you do not need variable speed.

My Woodfast came with DC variable speed, so I use it because I have it. I still start on the slowest speed on the 5 step pulley to get more torque and to keep the motor running faster for cooling.

The Hegner has stepped pulleys 800, 1400, 2400, & 2800 RPM. Larger bowls are made at 800 start to finish. Medium started at 800 & once round and balanced, finished at 1400.

Tool handles, 1400 unless the blank is split out of a log, then started at 800. I may have used 2400 once on a smaller tool handle.

I might do a pen if a gun were held to my head.