I'm looking for a way to add some kind of speed control to my existing Lathe. Right now I can run between 400 and 1600 RPM on my Powermatic Model 45 lathe which employes sheeves. In order to turn large items on the outboard I really need to get down to about 75 to 150 RPM to be safe.
I've looked for motors with a much lower speed and have considered changing the pulley sizes on the motor and arbor where the drive sheeve is located, but at best I will still only get the RPM down a little bit because of clearance issues where the pullies are located.
So I am left with the option of either adding a second arbor to the drive mechanism where I can employ larger pullies to bring the speed down, or using a Variable Speed Phase Converter. Now, the arbor solution I can work out on my own pretty well. But I am wondering if anyone has experience with the VS Phase Converter ? ... they range in price from 120 on up and I may need to change my single phase motor out from a single to 3 phase for this to work.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
I've looked for motors with a much lower speed and have considered changing the pulley sizes on the motor and arbor where the drive sheeve is located, but at best I will still only get the RPM down a little bit because of clearance issues where the pullies are located.
So I am left with the option of either adding a second arbor to the drive mechanism where I can employ larger pullies to bring the speed down, or using a Variable Speed Phase Converter. Now, the arbor solution I can work out on my own pretty well. But I am wondering if anyone has experience with the VS Phase Converter ? ... they range in price from 120 on up and I may need to change my single phase motor out from a single to 3 phase for this to work.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,