Wheels to roll around a big lathe

[SK Custom Cues]

I hope it helps a ton and a half Moving a 3000 lb lathe is not a trivial undertaking.

Next step should be learning all about the lathe (unlike the guys in the video who I can imagine are saying "what does this lever do?"), and about lathe operations. My little 1960's 10 x 24 with a 1hp motor could rip a finger off with ease, your 3 hp monster could turn your entire day into a blood bath in the blink of an eye.

Dave

PS does that beast have a 3 phase motor ? if so, do you have 3 phase power ? if you answered yes then no, google "3 hp phase converter"

I will ask him if it is. I am not sure what 3 phase means. I know what 220 and 110 is.

 

[DaveK]

I will ask him if it is. I am not sure what 3 phase means. I know what 220 and 110 is.

220 and 110 are the single phase voltages available at North American residences and businesses. Three phase is the industrial power system (and how electricity is generated and widely distributed). Most larger motors are three phase and not compatable with 110/220 single phase systems (unless you use a "phase converter" or "variable frequency drive"). At 3hp I'd say there is an 80% chance the lathe has a 3 phase motor. Your options if it is three phase :

1. if your building is served with three phase then just get an electrician to wire a circuit for the lathe
2. if your building is not served by three phase, ask your power company how-much-to / will-they upgrade to three phase, then back to point 1 if reasonable / doable, or,
4. get an electrician to install a phase converter or VFD of a suitable size (3hp) and a circuit to drive it, or,
5. change out the lathe motor to a single phase unit of a suitable size

This is one of the general problems with bringing a large commercial machine into a small facility or home shop ... that and having thick enough concrete :wink: Good luck.

Dave

 

[SK Custom Cues]

It is wired for three phase 220-240 volt and it also weighs 3500-4500 lbs. One good thing about that is that my best friend is an electrician. The shop I am in is a new commercial building. I hope the electrical part of it doesn't prevent me from getting this. I will be pissd.

 

[rhncue]

It is wired for three phase 220-240 volt and it also weighs 3500-4500 lbs. One good thing about that is that my best friend is an electrician. The shop I am in is a new commercial building. I hope the electrical part of it doesn't prevent me from getting this. I will be pissd.

Not to worry. If there is no 3-phase a static converter is only slightly more than a 100.00. You will only get 2/3 of the motors rated h/p but that is still plenty of power for the lightweight cuts we make. The way to go is with a variable frequency drive. They can be had on e-bay quite cheaply and give you variable, reversible, full h/p speed from 0 to 3 times the motors rated speed. I have it on 2 of my lathes and can't see how I got by for so many years without it.

Dick

 

[SK Custom Cues]

Not to worry. If there is no 3-phase a static converter is only slightly more than a 100.00. You will only get 2/3 of the motors rated h/p but that is still plenty of power for the lightweight cuts we make. The way to go is with a variable frequency drive. They can be had on e-bay quite cheaply and give you variable, reversible, full h/p speed from 0 to 3 times the motors rated speed. I have it on 2 of my lathes and can't see how I got by for so many years without it.

Dick

Thank you sir. I feel reassured now. The current owner thinks that the lathe weighs 35-4500. The manual says less. Either way, it is like moving a car with no wheels to me.

Thank you every one for your help. I am constantly reminded how great this place is with the bombardment of help I get when I am in need of it, which is why I try and return the favor as best I can. I feel 110% more comfortable about my new acquisition which I am now confident to purchase, whereas, maybe, before I would've been only 50-50.

I wish everyone on here a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you all, kind brothers.