Is a 1hp motor powerful enough?

GaryPearse wrote: (clip) I'm wondering whether a motor of this size would even begin to allow me to take full advantage of the large swing.(clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ When you run a lathe, you will adjust the RPM to produce a sensible surface speed at the radius where the cutting is taking place. If you take a certain size cut, the power consumed is the same, regardless of the radius. If one HP is enough at smaller radii, it SHOULD be enough at the maximum swing of the lathe also.

What operates against this theoretical approach is that on large pieces of wood, people tend to take heavier cuts, mainly because it "feels right," and because they want to reduce the roughing-out time. I think that is the main reason that larger lathes tend to have large motors.

Gary

There will be a couple of WivaMac lathes on the Hamlet stand at Alexandra Palace in February. It'll be a good opportunity for you to see them being put through their paces and see what they are capable of.

Power stays the same, but torque increases. If the gearing has taken this into effect, then you'll be alright. If not, then you'll be installing a larger motor.

Dan Bollinger wrote: (clip) Power stays the same, but torque increases (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The particular lathe being considered here has a variable speed drive AND a four-step pulley as well. If the operator uses the variable speed alone to do large turnings, certainly he will run short of torque. But, if he uses the belt positions to lower the speed, the torque will be proportionately increased. The only way you keep the full horsepower at reduced speed is with the pulleys.

Yes, that should take care of any power problems.

Being an owner of a DB1000, I can say that only under extreme circumstances have I found the motor power to be an issue (like when I'm trying to take too much off in one cut!). It is probably only a problem with medium sized pieces when you are using a higher speed range and hence are getting less torque due to the pulley ratios. With a large piece, you would almost certainly be using a lower speed range and would have more torque available. For me, the additional swing is an important factor and I have used it almost to its maximum diameter over the bed.

If you want the best of both worlds, you could either go for the DB1200 which comes with a more powerful motor or as all the lathes are made to order, you could probably get a DB1000 with a 2hp motor. Obviously both these options will cost more but that's life !

Cheers

Paul

To Gary in Devon, England:

Have a pint on me at the Cott Inn in Totness when next you pass by. It's been many a year since I was there and have many fond memories of my visits and the people I met.

Cheers ~ Edgar

Sir Edgar, I shall drink to your good health. And, yes, Totnes is full of crazy, wonderful people! Thanks also to Leo,Dan, Mark and Paul. I think I was almost trying to find a reason to discount the DB1000. Alas, it looks like my deliberations are set to continue. Perhaps I'll try canvassing the views of other DB1000 owners, if there are any out there. Great website, by the way, Paul.

Regards, Gary.