Adding Variable Speed

Re: Adding Variable Speed

Guy

>Hi, I used a 3 phase 1.5 hp motor and VFD I got from Dealers Electric on my Nova 3000 and I loved it. Good power, only switched belts when I wanted more torque. I'm selling the Nova now and put the original motor back on it. The 3 phase now resides on my Griz bandsaw, again works great. I just got my new lathe, a Vicmarc VL300 and I'm in the process of mounting another 3 phase/VFD combo but in 3hp. The new one is made by Leeson for both the motor and controller. Should be awesome. Just make sure you wire it up correctly and it will be great. Can't comment on the merits of DC vs AC (never had DC) but I researched a bunch and it seems as though the 3 phase setup has the best price/performance combo. Do a Google search, there are a lot of discussions about this subject. Guy

Re: Adding Variable Speed

John Lucas

>I've installed 2 DC drives and 2 variable Frequency Drives on my lathes or a friends lathe. When I started doing this DC drive were much cheaper. That's not the case any more. I think VFD is the way to go. you have more torque at low speeds and you have electronic braking. Used 3 phase motors are really cheap.

Thanks to Mark Kauder I just ordered one of the DC motors from Vega. I'll put that on my mini lathe. If the motor is small enough I may put one on my Carbo-tec as well.

Adding Variable Speed to a Mini Lathe-Questions

Clem Wixted Jonesboro, AR

>John,

I have a mini lathe and would like to add the Vega VS drive but would like to put the motor under the bench top that the lathe sits on. Two questions:

1. Where can I get a longer belt that will fit? Or, should I change the pully on the lathe?

2. Will the motor turn in the right direction, or do I just reverse the leads to the motor?

Clem

Re: Adding Variable Speed to a Mini Lathe-Question

Fred L. - North Carolina

>Clem:

Since I am doing the same, putting the motor under the lathe, I figure I could tell you about the setup I am working on:

1. The Vega motor is a Universal motor. Reversing the power wires will not reverse the direction. I reversed the black and yellow wires that connect to the brushes. They have spade lugs, so there is no soldering. All you have to do is remove the motor from the mount (2 screws) and switch the connectors. 5 minute job.

2. I had to buy a longer belt. It is a J section 3 rib belt. I bought a 40 inch belt. Part # DB400J3 (400 = 40"). They have it in all inch lengths. Cost about $5.00 each. Got two.

www.aarubcorubber.com 973-772-8177

3. The motor shaft is 5/8". The Jet motor has a bit smaller shaft. I bought a replacement pulley from Jet. Part JML-28. about $7.50. I bore it out a bit to fit ( in a metal lathe, but a regular drill bit will work if careful). That way the original motor still has its pulley, just in case.

I am building a cabinet to put the lathe on and motor in.

Hope this helps,

FredL

Good source information, Fred

Clem Wixted Jonesboro, AR

>I didn't even know what to call that type of belt.

Would an industrial supply house have a pully to match?

What are you going to do about cooling the circuit board? Where are you going to locate it?

Fred, thanks again for the good information.

Clem

Re: Adding Variable Speed to a Mini Lathe-Question

John Lucas

>Fred

Good response. I set up my mini lathe with the motor in a box below the lathe. I plan to add the Vega motor to this box. I bought my belt from my local nut,bolt, and bearing house.

Re: Good source information, Fred

Fred L. - North Carolina

>Clem: My comments:

I didn't even know what to call that type of belt.

POLY-J belt is the correct name.

Would an industrial supply house have a pully to match?

I TRIED TO FIND ONE, NO LUCK. Cheap enough as a replacement part from Jet.

What are you going to do about cooling the circuit board?

NOTHING. It is built on a heat sink already.

Where are you going to locate it?

THE BOARD CAN BE LOCATED ANYWHERE. Keep it away from dust! The control itself is a potentiometer, and I put long leads on it, with spade lugs from Radio Shack (or Lowes). The pot will go in a little box (about a dollar from RS), so I can put it where convenient. Probably will mount the box on a microphone goose neck from Radio Shack.

MORE.

The speed control is based on a tachometer. It is mounted on the other end from the shaft. It is a magnetic Hall Effect switch. Two wires for this, so there are 4 total from motor to circuit.

The circuit compensates for torque and sends more juice to keep the preset speed. I am not going to modify the circuit board since my test shows it is very workable as is.

The motor does not have a fan. I am going to mount a little fan with filter in a hole in the cabinet (electronics type fan, about 4" sq., RS or surplus. filter material can be sandwiched between two pieces of mesh!). It will blow INTO the cabinet. This should force air out of the belt opening, and keep the motor clean. The top compartment of the cabinet will be divided in two, left side for the motor. The ventilation hole will be cut in this divider, so it will not get clogged with chips. Rack for chucks, etc. in that side. Tool holder in the right side door. etc.

The motor will be mounted on a hinged board. Probably will use a pair of spring hinges.

Fred, thanks again for the good information.

YOU ARE VERY WELCOME !

Re: Good source information, Fred

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Clem,

The problem that I found was that it was very hard to find a pulley that had a 5/8" shaft diameter, but would go down to a 1" small pulley. The Jet Step pulley is cheap, easy to get and easy to modify.

Also, since the motor is reversable, the way to go, is adding a switch so that the lathe is reversable.

Mark

Re: Adding Variable Speed

Joel Hunnicutt

>You can get a 2hp motor and controller package from dealerselectric.com for $385. I wired mine myself with no problem and I'm no expert. Has worked just fine for 3 years.

Re: Adding Variable Speed

Kevin Kelly, West Va

>Could you provide so more detail? I've looked at dealerselectric's site, but for someone with the limited knowledge i have here, it's not particularly helpful.

Re: Adding Variable Speed

Kevin Kelly, West Va

>May i ask where you've gotten your new setup? Sorry to press about details, but the searches i've tried yield results that aren't really helpful to me. I can't wade through all the stats and descriptions, i'm afraid. Thanks.

Re: Adding Variable Speed

Joel Hunnicutt

>On their homepage is a chart with 3 phase motors and Variable Frequency Dirves. You go down the chart and pick your horsepower and your price. Be sure to look at the motor that you are replacing and match the frame. For example when I upgraded my nova I needed a nema 56 frame so that the spindle size and the bolt holes would match. You will need to call them to verify that they stock the frame size that you need.

Re: Adding Variable Speed

Kevin Kelly, West Va

>Thanks, Joel. For some reason, the chart on the home page wasn't showing up properly, and i was wandering through the link for 3 phase motors. Now i see it, though.

Peace,

kevin