In my continuing search for a lathe I talked to another friend that does woodworking about my search.
He suggested I look into what he called a speed limiter for the motor as a way of getting the speed down on some lathes that look nice but have just too fast a minimum speed for unballanced objects.
Anyone have experience with these?
Those motors with brushes, like your drill, router and such, are Direct Current, and would respond to such a device. Motors without brushes - induction motors - will not. You would have to get a much more expensive device to alter the 60 Hz (US) AC current frequency. If they'd make the belts standard, you could countershaft the lathe to slow it further by mechanical means.
The quick fix is to install a smaller motor pulley.
If you're talking the 12x36 with Reeves (mechanical) variable speed, it's quite a project, because you'd basically need to fab a jackshaft to replace the motor for the lower Reeves pulley. Somewhere in the midst of this project, you'd notice that you could have sold the lathe and bought or built one with a better drive setup at less hassle and expense.
thanks
My basic problem is that my crappy grizzly will not turn anything with any size. I've turned enough little bowls that I'm starting to get board with them. It seems that most of the interesting chunks of wood I can find are too big for my grizzly. In fact I've got a collection in my study.
All the lathes with turn rates down low enough with motors and clearance that will turn larger objects start at close to $2,000...k>>
As I've said repeately over the years, look in the used market, especially the estate-sale end of the used market. Real estate agents seem to feel that a lathe in the house lowers the house's value, so they are always looking to get them out, generally at rock-bottom prices.
What about the Nova 3000? Its got a 16" swing and a virtually unlimited bed (with extensions). With a 1hp motor and manual belt change, you can turn down to 215 rpms. Plenty slow for large out-of-balance pieces. All for under $1000.
Peter Teubel Milford, MA
Hi William, Welcome to the wonderful world of upgrading. We all go through it. It's a side effect of being addicted to woodturning. We all had that first lathe that turned at 600 rpm and spent countless hours trying to figure a way to reduce the speed to something managable. It just won't happen with a resonable amount of time and money spent. And even if you were successful the machine probably has other drawbacks and you won't be happy. Your best option would be to look for another machine either used or new. There should be Nova 3000's floating around. Or even a big iron lathe if you look hard enough. Good luck.
Bob, Naugatuck Ct.
except it does not see to be for sale anywhere in the US it is either sold out or not listed
If any>>
(with extensions). With a 1hp motor and manual belt
pieces. All for under $1000.
the big iron lathes will not work in my situation.
I d> Hi William, Welcome to the wonderful world of upgrading. We all go through it.
(with extensions). With a 1hp motor and manual belt
pieces. All for under $1000.
(with extensions). With a 1hp motor and manual belt
pieces. All for under $1000.
Peter Teubel Milford, MA
I contacted one of them but he dosn't want to bother with shipping
the other is >If you're looking for a used Nova 3000 .. shoudn
(with extensions). With a 1hp motor and manual belt
pieces. All for under $1000.
William,
visit
P.S. I have pictures and diagrams of my set-up if you decide to go this route. I am working on an article for Woodturnersresource.com on how to install one. Just drop me an email and I'll try to help.
How big of a lathe are you taking about? I installed their motor on a
16" Wade Garrett shortbed and have had no trouble with it yet. I just finished roughing out a sycamore hollow form 8 1/2" dia. x 7" tall with no problems. I did feel a bit of slow down when I was roughing a 12" dia x 5" deep bowl from rock hard ash, but changing the belt to a higher torque setting and increasing the speed a bit solved most of that.InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.