Lathe repower

[E.Borchardt]

Gents,
I am in the process of modifying my lathe to a vairable speed using components from a threadmill.
Does any one know how to wire in a dial type potentiometer to the MC2100LTS-30 motor speed control?
THANX
Earl in Kentucky

 

[Gundoctor]

You will need a "DC" motor to get any power out it.

Dave

 

[souNdguy]

my choice would be probably something like a router speed controller or other high amperage TRIAC based ac 'dimmer/motor speed control ' switch for an ac motor.. etc.

using dc motors and a variable resistor just.. well.. suck... to be blunt..

If using a dc motor.. then a pulse width modulator would be more appropriate. at least for many common motor types.

 

[ss55]

Can you use the speed control used on the treadmill?

Industrial variable speed DC motors with contoller are not very expensive. Check with a local electrical supplier.

You can combine your variable speed motor with the old stepped pulleys on your lath to keep the motor near its peak power.

 

[JMS/.MN]

Bulk milk tanks use a DC motor with a variable speed controller.

 

[M-MAN]

Do a google search on mini lathes. I've seen a few that have the directions but can't remember off the top of my head which ones.

 

[Hogleg]

Don't know what kind of lathe you are re-powering. I had a Craftsman Deluxe (atlas made them) lathe with a 1/3 hp 120v motor on it. For the re-power, I bought a NOS 1/2hp Baldor 3 phase 240v motor on ebay for around $75 bucks. Then bought an Allen Bradley 3 phase motor control on ebay for about $50 bucks. It was for 1/2 hp motors. 120V in and 240 3 phase out. Full variable speed, reversing and you can program the ramp up and slow down. Worked perfect, and plenty of torque.

Here is a u-tube of one being used...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Q0sXToBgM

No way I would mess with a DC re-power. Way too much work...

John

 

[J.T.L.]

Not sure if this will be of much help. I put a 1 hp treadmill motor on my band saw, about 18 years ago. Found the treadmill junked on the side of the road. All the wiring had been cut. Got lucky, and ran into someone who knew something about DC wiring.

Ended up using a Claro-stat 73JA 100K ohm pot to tie into the circuit board from the treadmill. I just looked at the hook-up on the circuit board, and #1 on the pot, goes to P3 on the board --- #2 on the pot, goes to P2 on the board, and #3 on the pot, goes to P1 on the circuit board.

There is also an on/off toggle switch, the ties into the AC supply to the board.

One odd note, that I recall, is that the treadmill tachometer pick-up coil, had to be left in the system, or the motor would not work. Not sure why, but the guy that helped me out, knew much more than I did. Has worked like a charm for at least 18 years.

Have a little 9" South Bend lathe, that I have never set up. Thought about doing the treadmill motor thing on it. --- John