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Inexpensive speed control

My Jet 1442 has 1hp, a Reeves drive, and a slowest speed of 450rpm. While attempting to rough out a rather out-of-round piece several days ago, it occurred to me that a VS control to obtain a much lower start speed would be very nice--an understatement really.

Today, while looking through a catalog from MLCS, Ltd., a company in the battleground state of PA, I discovered a variable speed control unit for routers up to 3 1/4 hp. The specs claim 120V and 15amps, and no loss of torque from 0 to whatever rpm. Price: $25.

Query: would this unit be suitable for limited periods of time on a lathe such as mine--1hp? Frankly it seems too cheap and easy, but I really don't know the answer to this. Most lathe VS control systems, including a motor, cost 20 to 40 times more. Could this unit be damaging to my motor?

Max

Reply to
Maxprop
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Nope. Induction motors like the one on your lathe are not the same as universal motors on routers, etc. You'd trash it.

Keep the tailstock firmly fixed in the piece until it's round, cutting from center out, so you can avoid diving the gouge into gaps, adding to your problem.

Reply to
George

As I suspected. Could you elucidate as to the differences between the two types, please?

I got in a hurry and attempted something I should not have done. I removed the piece from the faceplate and trimmed it up a bit on the bandsaw, which solved the problem. When I first started faceplate turning, I never used the tailstock. Now I use it all the time, except for finishing the base of a bowl, etc.

Thanks.

Max

Reply to
Maxprop

Brushes on the universal to transfer current through the commutator to the windings. The sparks are your clue. Increase current, increase speed, and vice-versa.

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motors run by the magnetic repulsion principle. They're regulatedin speed by the clock at the power company and the number of windings. Ourcurrent is 60Hz. Variable speed is possible by increasing/decreasing therate.

Reply to
George

Max

Reply to
Maxprop

Hi George, Thanks for a site referral worth saving. Max's query comes up often, and I had thought to post a brief layman's summary of small electric motors, their control and application, but that site is far better.

Getting chilly in your neck of the woods yet? A much welcomed cool front here. Arch

Fortiter,

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Reply to
Arch

Mixed precip is forcing me to stay in the house and close to the lathe today. To think of all the outside work I could be doing - bummer! A mixed afternoon of woodworking shows on PBS makes confinement a bit easier to take.

Color last week was not to be believed, but the wind and wet have pretty much done for it now.

Reply to
George

Take a look at this controller on eBay, might be the answer:

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tech matches your needs.Alex

Reply to
AAvK

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