How to slow down a lathe
- Thread starter jecues
- Start date
Maybe one of the cheap harbor freight router speed controls. Or install one of the $99 peen state dc motors.--Leonard
I was looking at those on ebay myself. Since then, I've been to Tractor Supply looking at motors, pulleys, and belts. The slowest AC motor they carry is 1075rpm. They don't carry DC motors. I'm looking to get about 100 rpm too.
You could always use cyanoacrylate finishes. It doesn't matter if it's spinning quickly. That stuff cures in 5 to 30 seconds depending on viscosity and other variables.
You could always use cyanoacrylate finishes. It doesn't matter if it's spinning quickly. That stuff cures in 5 to 30 seconds depending on viscosity and other variables.
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I spin my cues for auto clearcoat on a frame I made with a bearing and a livecenter with my Dewalt 18 volt drill spinning the cue using a delrin mandrel drilled and tapped 3/8 10 or radial. The mandrel fits in the bearing and the livecenter is in the 60 % center hole of the butt. You could by one of the $29.95 cordless lithum screwdrivers and make it turn real slow, I use a tiewrap around the trigger on the dewalt to adjust speed.--Leonard
oh yea I forgot I screw the frame to my cities roll out garbage can top and spray under my carport and wheel it out in the sun to dry while turning after 15 coats.
oh yea I forgot I screw the frame to my cities roll out garbage can top and spray under my carport and wheel it out in the sun to dry while turning after 15 coats.
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15 coats???
You think that's enough???
Well, if I'm going to participate in this thread, I might as well try
and help the OP with his problem.
The simplest and probably the quickest solution is to mount a sewing machine
motor as a second motor, variable spd foot control.
Remove the belt from your main mtr while running the second mtr.
They get hot enough all by themselves. They don't need the additional drag.
They don't like to run all day either. Get your work done quick.
You think that's enough???
Well, if I'm going to participate in this thread, I might as well try
and help the OP with his problem.
The simplest and probably the quickest solution is to mount a sewing machine
motor as a second motor, variable spd foot control.
Remove the belt from your main mtr while running the second mtr.
They get hot enough all by themselves. They don't need the additional drag.
They don't like to run all day either. Get your work done quick.
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Charlie,
Actually, I think you'll find that doesn't work - I thought it did too and assured Joe Baker "Oh yeah, that will work". Happily, he didn't blow anything up - in fact nothing happened. So, just as happily, Joe's not mad at me!!:smile:
I checked with an electronics engineer friend and he concurred - "Nope, that doesn't work on AC motors" You CAN control a DC motor by a rheostat, but AC is a different animal.
Hope this helps
Gary
That is exactly correct. You can install a small DC motor & control it with a rheostat. HOWEVER, using a DC motor requires a transformer of sorts to reduce 115 ac to the DC voltage of the motor. It's easier to get a 90vdc motor & have an outboard controller for it. Will cost you around $150+ for the motor and controller (good stuff) but well worth it. I run almost everything this way, even my routers. My finish lathe has a 1/3hp 90vdc Baldor with an outboard controller than changes the 115vac to 90vdc and has reversing switch & rheostat. I turn it high to sand, down low to apply finish, let it rotate a low speed while finish cures, then high again to sand/polish. The cue never leaves the lathe until finish is complete.
Hightower sells a lathe somewhat similar to what I built & only charges around $700 or so dollars for it. Do 7 refinish jobs & it's covered. And you don't have to monkey around with building one. Any of the cue repair lathes with variable speed motors could easily be used the same way. Even a cheap wood lathe with variable speed motor & 3-jaw or drill chuck would do the job.
Hey Eric,
I was wondering...
I have just an old Craftsman wood lathe where I do my sanding and buff/polishing...
The motor on there is a 1/2HP, 60hz 120V if memory does not fail.
Can I use a variable AC Output Transformer to slow down the motor?
The transformer specs:
Max: 500VA
INPUT Voltage: 120V / 60Hz;
OUTPUT Voltage: 0-130V AC / 60Hz
Max Current: 5A
View attachment 193349
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I agree with QBilder (Eric). And you might be surprised how cheaply you can convert to DC.
Here's a 0-90V DC motor control that I just won on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/280725999273?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2649&autorefresh=true&autorefresh=true
I got this one for a song - less than $25 shipped. These things are really easy to wire up - 120VAC in from your wall and it puts out 0-90VDC at up to 10 amps to a DC PM (Permanent Magnet) motor. Speed is controlled by a simple $5 3-wire variable potentiometer from Radio Shack. Forward and reverse is selected via a $7 DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) switch from Radio Shack.
You can get a pretty suitable motor for free if you watch your local Craig's List - people are giving away treadmills all the time. The electronics on the treadmills go bad, but the motor is usually a 90V DC motor and still works just fine.
Anyway, I haven't tried Eric's suggestion of running my router on DC yet, have to remember to give that a try - perhaps I'll use this controller for that.
Anyway, hope this helps someone - hope it's not considered a thread hijack - the content seemed appropriate.
Gary
Here's a 0-90V DC motor control that I just won on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/280725999273?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2649&autorefresh=true&autorefresh=true
I got this one for a song - less than $25 shipped. These things are really easy to wire up - 120VAC in from your wall and it puts out 0-90VDC at up to 10 amps to a DC PM (Permanent Magnet) motor. Speed is controlled by a simple $5 3-wire variable potentiometer from Radio Shack. Forward and reverse is selected via a $7 DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) switch from Radio Shack.
You can get a pretty suitable motor for free if you watch your local Craig's List - people are giving away treadmills all the time. The electronics on the treadmills go bad, but the motor is usually a 90V DC motor and still works just fine.
Anyway, I haven't tried Eric's suggestion of running my router on DC yet, have to remember to give that a try - perhaps I'll use this controller for that.
Anyway, hope this helps someone - hope it's not considered a thread hijack - the content seemed appropriate.
Gary
Please understand I say this in all seriousness in the interest of your safety.
DON'T USE YOUR HAND!
Even an aluminum jawed chuck can make a mess of a finger at that speed.
Add a steel bodied/jaw chuck,the weight and the torque of machines that use chucks like that can and will take your whole hand at that speed...Tommy D
DON'T USE YOUR HAND!
Even an aluminum jawed chuck can make a mess of a finger at that speed.
Add a steel bodied/jaw chuck,the weight and the torque of machines that use chucks like that can and will take your whole hand at that speed...Tommy D
AC motors are speed controlled by varying the frequency, not the voltage. An AC motor will slow down with lower voltage but the current goes up and the motor will get hot or burn up.
DC motors vary the speed by varying the dc voltage, by an SCR fired supply, a PWM supply, etc.
I run a small lathe for finishing using a DC motor and an MC60 controller from an old treadmill. They are available for cheap or sometimes free on Craigs list. Ck the internet for instructions. Pulleys and belts are available at Tractor Supply or other similar places. I had to bore the pulleys to fit.
Kim
DC motors vary the speed by varying the dc voltage, by an SCR fired supply, a PWM supply, etc.
I run a small lathe for finishing using a DC motor and an MC60 controller from an old treadmill. They are available for cheap or sometimes free on Craigs list. Ck the internet for instructions. Pulleys and belts are available at Tractor Supply or other similar places. I had to bore the pulleys to fit.
Kim
AC Parallel Shaft PSC Gear Motor
About $80
You will have to mount it and make an adapter bushing to transfer the pulley from your old motor to this new one.
I have three of these setups on ol Craftsman wood lathes. All have run for over four years without a problem.
I use the 100 RPM motor. For me, its the perfect speed. They are also very quiet.
Hope this helps
Lee
About $80
You will have to mount it and make an adapter bushing to transfer the pulley from your old motor to this new one.
I have three of these setups on ol Craftsman wood lathes. All have run for over four years without a problem.
I use the 100 RPM motor. For me, its the perfect speed. They are also very quiet.
Hope this helps
Lee
tap on the dc for variable speed control!!!
How do you get the penn state motors down to 100 rpm or less