Not sure but it could have a three phase motor, in which case you either get a converter/drive or swap the motor (unless you have access to three phase power). Of course if it's a single phase motor there is no issue. Also I have read things about the "varidrive" system that was an option on this lathe, another thing to research and investigate.
Good luck
Dave
The VS drives you are referring to were on the 5900 series.
My advice, from someone who knows a few things about buying used, is to gain appreciable knowledge BEFORE making a purchase. Nearly EVERYTHING you need to look for is on the net.
Heavy machines are big purchases.....literally. Rushing is a terrible mistake that you will regret. If I wasn't SURE his asking price was really good, I'd offer far less than 1500.00. The only thing I ever jumped at for asking price was a new, in the unopened box, Baldor 1022wd grinder for 250.00. Then again, I knew exactly what it was and what it was worth. Make a list of what you need/want in your shop and learn about makes/models. Even though used manual machines are getting much more expensive than they were when the housing market crashed, a guy can put together a nice, be it basic, shop for 3-5k IF you know what you are doing and are FRICKEN PATIENT. Then again, if you have money to burn...forget what I said.
For the record, my first purchase was a 1340 Microweilly from a dealer for 3k(UGH). Guess what happened the VERY NEXT DAY? 3 fricken miles away a Clausing Colchester 1340 came up for the same price. A lathe many times better and 70 miles closer with better chuck...tooling...ect...ect... MY LOSS.
Another recent example of research paying of is the Ingersol Rand 2475 premium compressor(2500.00 plus new) I picked up for 400.00. They had 2 and said both had broken cranks and tripped the breakers because of it. They spent big bucks and converted to a rotary. I already had an older 5hp T30, but I went and had a look. The older 2475 did have a bent crank, but the MUCH new one spun as I thought it should. What I learned was that the newer one was tripping the reset on the compressor and not the breaker. I KNEW the pump was good and that was worth 400.00 EASY by itself, but I was also 90% sure that they just didn't feed it with a heavy enough(the guy selling it didn't even know and it was no longer attached) wire. I bought some 10/3 wire and it's run perfect ever since. I sold my old compressor for 600.00
For what's it's worth, here is a post I made years ago when I first started "hunting"
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=245486&highlight=machinery+buying+guide
I don't post too much on here anymore since a certain someone implied I'm not qualified to give advice, so make up your own mind as to whether on not I'm full of crap. In this instance, I have a WELL equipped shop that cost an avg. 20-30 cents on the dollar that says otherwise.
BTW, the above post what just my start. Besides the recent grinder, I got a performax 22-44 for 400.00 and a Powermatic PM2000 for FREE. Lots of other stuff too, but I've already ranted....I guess..long enough.
Anyway. My advice is sound. Take from it what you will....
Randy
