Thread: Mc 900 woes

Sounds like you got a dud lathe, I have the big brother (MC1100) had no problems (No matter how ham fisted I am). I would be checking with who you purchased it from, maybe they can help fix it..

if your gonna spend that much money on mods...why not take it back and upgrade to a better lathe?

sounds interesting tho

cheers

Bosco,
Do a search of the forum as there has been several posts regarding upgrades of mc900 and mc1100 lathes. This one will get you started


http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=23684 post#8

Hi All again and thanks for the replies. Contrary to popular belief, the 3-phase motor is only $80, believe it or not!!, More than the cost I think is the stuffing around with brackets, etc. that's why I am a bit loathe to embark in such an undertaking. If I had the bucks obviously I would go for a vicmarc or the like, it's not just the lathe, I discovered...hehehe...tools (one never has enough tools), dust extraction unit, mask, band-saw...geepers, overtime here I come!!! I have to say, I am quite happy with this one though, just a couple of niggly things, and wanted to hear from the more experienced turners their opinions and I thank you all for that, will check the link out, ponder over the pros and cons, and if I decide to go ahead I will definitely let you guys know wassappenin' and post some pics of the whole project, it maybe helpful to the new guys starting up in the turning world!!!

Thanks again to all and all of the best

gb

I looked at converting mine to a Variable Electronic Control a few years ago. There was a bloke doing the rounds of the clubs and offering a bloody good deal! Unfortunately, the budget didn't want to co-operate at the time.

The cost isn't in the motor, regardless of what some might say. It's in the controller. The advantage of the pulley system is that if you lower the RPM by half, in effect you're doubling the actual torque delivered to the workpiece. (The motor's still delivering the same HP after all.)

With a cheap VEC it's often the other way around... it's no good reducing the speed to, say, 300 RPM for roughing a big burl, if you've also lost a proportional amount of torque too! A good controller will give consistent drive power regardless of RPM, but is bloody expensive. [sigh]

It's on my wish-list for one day, though. Right after I order my 12" jointer & 4' drum-sander. (So, we can all dream, can't we? )

Having said all that, you may be interested in checking out the mods to my old MC-900 in this post: https://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p=491457

If I was to make any changes to this, the idler shaft and the motor would swap positions with the idler being adjustable vertically for tensioning the belt to the headstock. (I'd allow for a BIG range of adjustment, to cater for a range of belt lengths so I could buy the cheapest going at the time ) The motor I'd hang off hinges from the back, where the idler is now (or the orig motor used to be), so it was "self-tensioning" under it's own weight.

The current arrangement allows for the head to swivel to outboard mode but limits adjustments... t'other way would be better. But it works now and sees a LOT of work, so why change something that isn't broken? Maybe the next time something falls off I'll break out the welder and angle-grinder... or maybe not. I'm inherently lazy and would much rather get back to turning than fiddle with a working tool to get it "right..."

Originally Posted by bosco555

Contrary to popular belief, the 3-phase motor is only $80, believe it or not!!gb

that suprised me...i rekon go for it if you see the need

The cost isn't in the motor, regardless of what some might say. It's in the controller. The advantage of the pulley system is that if you lower the RPM by half, in effect you're doubling the actual torque delivered to the workpiece. (The motor's still delivering the same HP after all.)

With a cheap VEC it's often the other way around... it's no good reducing the speed to, say, 300 RPM for roughing a big burl, if you've also lost a proportional amount of torque too! A good controller will give consistent drive power regardless of RPM, but is bloody expensive. [sigh]

As Skew says.

I have just priced a Teco VSD or VEC or VFD they all mean the same as far as I can tell
It has a capacity up to 2kw motors [2.68hp] $450AUD, remember you need a motor with star/delta windings. Don't ask too much more of me on that score .... look for the sparkies in the group.

In my case I installed a 4 step pulley arrangement to get around the loss of power at low revs. I use my lower revs for sanding, finishing and roughing out of balance blanks etc.You can use the rpm to control the harmonics of the blank to lower or lose the death wobbles

Is it worth? Most definitely I would not go back. Variable speed done electronically is the way to go.[mechanically if fine too, but second best IMHO ] If you can afford the full power type, yay! go for it.

I am currently designing/building another lathe and it will have a VSD and a 4step pulley arrangement, no question of doing it any other way.

Hughie, does the Teco have adjustable start-up and wind-down ramping?

That's the part of going electronic that really tempted me... no more spinning off face-plates/chucks!

HI guys,

well, let me tell you, my mate as quite a bit to do with Teco anyway, so, let me give you some part numbers, howzat hey??

by the way, if anyone is interested contacting via email, you can do it [email protected].

High performance Adjustable Speed Microprocessor controlled Inverter motor speed regulator:

Teco model FM50-201-OC TW series good from 1 to 3HP, that's about $200.00 i believe,
sorry, I have thrown away the box for the motor, but it's a standard 1HP and it costs $80, and don't let anyone rip you off!!! Indeed, doing it the electronic way, is much more efficient, not to mention quiet, no rattlings!

Please do not hesitate to contact me if ANYONE needs more info on parts and components. I do not have the switches with me, but will shortly. Please note that I am not gaining anything out of this, nor I am affiliated with any electrical contractor, just trying to lend a helping hand.

best to all as usual

gb

well, let me tell you, my mate as quite a bit to do with Teco anyway, so, let me give you some part numbers, howzat hey??

by the way, if anyone is interested contacting via email, you can do it [email protected].

High performance Adjustable Speed Microprocessor controlled Inverter motor speed regulator:

Teco model FM50-201-OC TW series good from 1 to 3HP, that's about $200.00 i believe,
sorry, I have thrown away the box for the motor, but it's a standard 1HP and it costs $80, and don't let anyone rip you off!!! Indeed, doing it the electronic way, is much more efficient, not to mention quiet, no rattlings!

Please do not hesitate to contact me if ANYONE needs more info on parts and components. I do not have the switches with me, but will shortly. Please note that I am not gaining anything out of this, nor I am affiliated with any electrical contractor, just trying to lend a helping hand.

well stuff me! I got my quote directly from Teco yesterday here in Sydney. At your prices I wll defintely be contacting you in the near future

Originally Posted by bosco555

Teco model FM50-201-OC TW series good from 1 to 3HP, that's about $200.00 i believe,
sorry, I have thrown away the box for the motor, but it's a standard 1HP and it costs $80, and don't let anyone rip you off!!! Indeed, doing it the electronic way, is much more efficient, not to mention quiet, no rattlings!

Wish I'd known you when I still had the MC900 !!!!! I'd be lucky if I could get a lousy single-phase, 1 speed, 1HP for $280 here!

$80? + freight. Hmm.

HI all, no problem at all, I can put you directly in contact with my friend. I don't know about freight, the motor is about 20kgs, we'll have to check with AusPost. I am not sure if we are allowed to put names and numbers here, as I said I am not gaining a cent from this, just do it 'cos I know that struggling ain't a good thing. Let me know,

as always, best to all and lest we forget!!
gb

Bosco, do I read you right, a 3phase motor & one of these Teco speed controllers to run the motor from 240v mains (& give variable speed & reverse) would be $280?

Seems like a v good deal.


Cheers.................Sean