Wood lathe VFD kit motor selection

[delbs]

Hi all.

Just want a fact check with others with more experience hunting for motors and VFD units for wood lathes.

I have an old woodfast that I plan on replacing new bearings and other bits and pieces. I like the idea of a new motor with VFD unit to have variable speed, I have found the below cononmotors unit and VFD kit. Understand I still need a sparky to wire it so costs could increase.

All second hand motors I'm finding that I can have shipped are all around $2xx so I may as well go new if I can't find a working 3 phase 2nd hand unit and cheaper VFD.

I have also emailed cononmotors to ask if they can wire the units prior to shipping but haven't had a response yet


Single Phase variable frequency drive with Electric motor speed control package | eBay

Does anyone own one of these motors and VFD units and have any thoughts? I'm assuming they're rock solid . The way I look at it is if I can get this motor and variable speed with a power switch I'd be able to use it if I ever upgraded to another large lathe body instead of me needing to buy an entire new lathe. Or is a robust older electric motor equivalent in terms of robustness and I'm crazy considering to be spending this much on a combo?

Cheers
Delbs

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[BobL]

I have bought and installed a Conon motor for myself and been involved with the installation of more than half a dozen of these motors for other people. I'm not sure that I would use the term "Rock Solid" but they seem to be ok for the price.

Their VFDs are good quality and come with a two year warrant and a decent manual. VFDs of comparable quality are available from OS for lower costs but I guess having local agent and warranty is worth something.

I seriously doubt they will wire them together for you. Wiring them together will make them more difficult to transport. Besides the programming of teh VFD will need to be done to suit the installed machine and intended use - something the spark will take into account.
BUT
if you are going to uses a sparky don't buy the VFD and motor first. Sparkies may not be familiar with your choice of VFD and motor and may not give you a quote for installation.

[delbs]

Thanks BobL, i have recently watched your video on VFD's also and found the PDF you made for beginners that im re-reading.

Im reaching out to sparkys but haven't got one confirmed thats fine about wiring a VFD and motor. Im researching my options for separate motor and vfd unit purchase or another kit such as

Wired and Programmed 1.5HP Motor and VFD Package - Artisan Supplies

all seems to push up more than i wish to spend. if i can find a sparky willing to do it locally then the motor 2nd hand and VFD thatl help bring costs down from a pre-wired unit such as above.

or i rip out the one from my treadmill that gets used to so often

[BobL]

Thanks BobL, i have recently watched your video on VFD's also and found the PDF you made for beginners that im re-reading.
Im reaching out to sparkys but haven't got one confirmed thats fine about wiring a VFD and motor. Im researching my options for separate motor and vfd unit purchase or another kit such as
Wired and Programmed 1.5HP Motor and VFD Package - Artisan Supplies
all seems to push up more than i wish to spend. if i can find a sparky willing to do it locally then the motor 2nd hand and VFD thatl help bring costs down from a pre-wired unit such as above.
or i rip out the one from my treadmill that gets used to so often

That Artisan unit is wired and programmed for a grinder.
The problem is the cable lengths and program will not suit a wood lathe.

The most likely program issue is I'll bet the the stopping parameter has been set to a "coast to stop" value which is correct for a grinder. Fast stops on a grinder will trip out a VFD and may also cause the grinding wheel to come loose.
For a lathe some level of deceleration is possible - not too much or the chuck may unscrew. I find I can use "3s to stop" on my lathe without any problems.

The max safe frequency for a grinder is usually 60Hz. That artisan looks like its set to mAX OUT AT 50HZ. However for a lathe, depending on which belt position you use you might be safely able to take it up to 120Hz. The main idea when using a VFD is to minimise belt changes so this all needs to be taken into consideration.

I also like to see a large emergency switch added to machinery like lathes and not relying on fumbling around with the small switches on a VFD.
I place my lathe E-switches in between the power point and the VFD usually on the lathe bench at hip height so I don't need to use my hands to turn them off.
When activated it disconnects the motor and VFD - its a hard stop so its no something to use everyday buy its OK for emergencies

On a wood lathe, it's also better for thea VFD if it is placed/mounted well away from the dust and actuated remotely with a cable back to the VFD

[Old Croc]

Delbs, a couple of things to consider. The package you linked to is currently unavailable, like most of the items in their website, all stuck on a wharf somewhere. I have seen that package on a knife grinding linisher where he mounted the VFD up at chest level.
Also for a woodlathe you need a remote control box wired in, you don't want the VFD on the front of your lathe, it will drive you crazy, stopping, starting, changing speeds and reversing.
I know the cost of a motor and VFD package is a lot, but from my experience this is the single most important piece of gear you will buy.
I had my own homebuilt lathe that I retrofitted with one that I bought from Powderpost when he was a dealer for Woodfast, best thing I ever did, it's still going strong 25 years later with the new owner.
I have a Laguna 24/36 now with the VFD around the back out of harm's way with the switches and varipot on the front. I bought all the wire and gear to make the controls movable, but I decided I liked their current position so I made up an inline emergency stop button for the power cord now on the right hand end of the lathe.
You may want to enquire over on the Metalwork Forum, link on top of this forum, to see if any of them can help you.
Rgds,
Crocy.
P.S. Bob L just beat me, agree with him.

[delbs]

Thanks a lot for your responses. Yeah understood it's out of stock at the moment which is fine. I'm not purchasing tomorrow I'm just coming up to speed on what a good combination looks like, as to whether come pre wired if not why.

Interesting points about the settings to put in place to slow down the motor for a grinder vs a lathe interesting

Valid points raised for sure around the VFD enclosed away from the lathe and a power box with a knee stop etc. Just researching the parts needed to then find the right sparky. Few months away at least as the lathe is a restoration I don't plan on getting it up and running quickly still need to finish my other work bench

Just educating myself, sourcing parts to figure it all out. I really like the plastic square enclosures that can have rare earth magnets on the back with the longer power leads to move around, on off and off and a variable speed knob

Once it's put together it's something I'd keep to add to future lathes which could keep upgrade costs down





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[NCArcher]

Hi delbs,
The Artisan one you linked is way too expensive for what it is. A treadmill motor may not be suitable as they are usually DC which would mean wrangling the speed controller into an enclosure (if you can even separate it from the treadmill interior) and making it all work with new controls.
I'm about to install a VFD onto an identical lathe, but with a cabinet, and I will be either making up a remote control box or mounting the control panel off the VFD into a box and just using that as a remote.
I'll send you a pm.

[delbs]

Hi delbs,
The Artisan one you linked is way too expensive for what it is. A treadmill motor may not be suitable as they are usually DC which would mean wrangling the speed controller into an enclosure (if you can even separate it from the treadmill interior) and making it all work with new controls.
I'm about to install a VFD onto an identical lathe, but with a cabinet, and I will be either making up a remote control box or mounting the control panel off the VFD into a box and just using that as a remote.
I'll send you a pm.

Hey NCArcher, yeah agreed it's pretty expensive and now understand not fit for purpose at all.

This would be great to have an understanding of what sort of unit and motor your using for this. I'm looking at parts to price it up and whilst I speak with a sparky get a good idea for costing for the right setup.

I've since found other identical lathes also with the original cabinets but for the cost of those I could get a decent motor+VFD and build my own base.

Thanks for the offer of info.
Cheers
Nathan

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