Reversing a Delta Midi Lathe Motor

I am working on turning my Delta Midi Lathe into a dedicated outboard turning bowl lathe. I have reversed the headstock and turned the step pully on the headstock so that I have the proper speed range. The question that I have is this. Can the motor be rewired so that it turns in reverse of the factory rotation? I know that it can be done with some 110V single phase motors but I am not sure if it can be done with the delta motor.

Thanks in advance for any help on this topic.

Steven Raphael Ithaca MI

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Reply to
steven raphael
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"steven raphael" wrote: (clip) Can the motor be rewired so that it turns in reverse of the factory rotation? (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Look inside the cover of the terminal block. If it can be done easily, you will find directions on the back of the cover. Otherwise, it will probably require disassembly of the motor and more knowledge and determination that I have.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

Hi Steven

There are a lot of turners that use the Delta, Jet, Ricon and other mini lathes with the same motor, and I have not heart of anyone that was able to have those motors run in a reverse direction, It should be possible but might be very involved by having to go directly to the windings and having to cut the wiring etc. The thing I was considering though is the power you have, and the power you would need to go (I assume) larger on the outboard side, maybe you'd be better of getting a larger motor and install it below the lathe, (under bench or similar setup) . Or maybe go for a larger lathe that can turn the whole head assembly around, motor and all. Something like the new General International lathe that came out last year I think it was.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Reply to
l.vanderloo

Reply to
steven raphael

To do it *properly*, I have no idea- but the starting capacitor went out on my Delta Midi about 6 months after I bought it, and I found that it would run in reverse easily after that had happened. The only real effect the burned out capacitor seemed to have was that the lathe had to be turned by hand a little in one direction or the other just prior to flipping the switch.

I used it like that for about 2 years, with no problems, and sold it to a guy like that- I offered to take it in to get the capacitor replaced prior to the sale, but like me, he thought it was more of a feature than a defect.

In a pinch, you may be able to isolate that capacitor, and remove it. I don't know that much about it, but it may be fine with a couple of snips, or you might have to complete the circuit somehow after it is removed.

Reply to
Prometheus

"Prometheus" wrote: (clip) it may be fine with a couple of snips, or you might have to complete the circuit somehow after it is removed. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Install a switch in one of the capacitor wires. Then you will have to do the hand-start only for reverse operation.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

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