Using a AC asynchronous motor you don't need a RPM meter, you can just use the inverter display. Then you can use a different pulley size to improve low speed torque and motor cooling while still being able to run it fast enough by "over clocking" the motor (up to 80Hz ... or more with a few electronic tricks). I also consider this type of mini lathe improvement so you video was quite interesting and useful: thank you!
I used a 550w servo sewing machine motor. I made poly V belt pulleys and I have bought 180j6 poly v belt. I made a plate that bolts to the head for the motor to sit on made out of 4x1/4 flat stock. Right now its like a 2.8 to 1 ratio and its so nice being able to cut threads with the motor at 100-500rpms. Being able to stop and go instantly is truly mint I tell ya.
Another great type of conversion. 👍🏻 I had weighed up lots of options. Treadmill, single phase, Even looked at brushless rc motors, but this was far to complicated with the volts and amp ratings. I wanted more torque, not so much for heavy cutting but to handle harder materials like silver steel. (Which killed the 2nd motor) the plan is to reinforce the head and replace the hpl with Ali at some point. In the mean time I will not be pushing it too hard.
Angular contact bearings will fit straight in no mods needed they are the bee's knees for these lathes and no need to repack for the life of the bearings.
I’ve never dealt with angular contact bearing. I’ll do some research on them as I might need something like that in future projects. I have machinery at my workplace that use the taper roller bearing, the machine run 24/7 360 days a year. So I know they have the durability to last.
Thank you. Absolutely agree about the spacer 👍🏻 now the lathe is fixed I can make all the changes I want to, like the spacer and the winding handles that come unscrewed. 🤦🏻
I’ve not had an issue with vibration. The motor and pulley are really well balanced. If it had been an issue I did have a plan to balance the pulley, but it was not needed.
Never remove an emergency stop button, especially on 3-phase work shop equipment, as this is your last chance saloon when operating the machine. I am just saying this as you may want to highlight it, looking forward to the other mods.
You’re absolutely right, I’m currently working on my second video of this lathe, where I am reinstating the old controls and lathe guard linked back to the Inverter controls.
@@oakfieldscreativeworkshop That's great news as I've ordered the 2800 rpm motor, will be using the mandrel conversion method on a 2-1 ratio as I think around 1400 to 1500 rpm is fast enough for my mini lathe
It could well be, but I have just seen someone fit a 3kw motor to one. Now that is definitely over kill. I just don’t trust the Chinese 110v dc motors anymore. For one they definitely will not work with coolant and they are just not reliable enough for me. But I would much prefer the weak point to be a £10 belt than a £150 motor at least that’s my justification for it.
@@oakfieldscreativeworkshop Someone being Artisan Makes? If so I think that was a 3HP or 2.25KW motor. Overkill is always better than underkill especially when the price isn't that much different ;)
@@legallyfree2955 it was Artisan Makes 👍🏻 a very powerful motor and he has lots of upgrades on his lathe to take the power. I’m not sure from what I saw on his video if he kept the carriage feed as he runs it with no gear.
Most chinese electric machines like lathe, table saw, ... are good as a diy project. It is best to order without motor/ electronics (if possible) and complete by Do it yourself. We can save the Harbor freight's Northern tool's fee and got much better machine. .
