Updating my mini-lathe
Going back a week or so I posted that I wanted to make my old Carba-Tec a variable speed lathe.
I had contacted the manufacturer and they confirmed that to upgrade with a new motor would cost more and be less efficient than a new lathe.
Another LJ pointed me to eBay where someone sold a variable speed device for between $19-24 plus shipping.
Rockler wanted $34.98 for its variable speed plug.
The old motor was 1/6 hp, 2.5 amps, 1725 rpm and 25 years old.
So this is what my old buddy looked like.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1372.jpg
I undid all the old switch stuff
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1374.jpg
I used my Kreg jig to make the pocket holes to attach the new swithc box to the table
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1376.jpg
These are the parts. I went to big blue and for $.25 for the box and $4.83 for the variable switch I am on my way to a variable speed mini late.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1377.jpg
I wired it all together
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1378.jpg
And it works!
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1380.jpg
The only problem is that the old fart needs to start at the fast speed and then wind down. At our age you'd think it would be the other way around.
Now, our subdivision is having a chili cookoff tomorrow. Before I started all of this I put together my version of Skyline chili and it was simmering for 3 hours while I adapted my lathe.
Going back a week or so I posted that I wanted to make my old Carba-Tec a variable speed lathe.
I had contacted the manufacturer and they confirmed that to upgrade with a new motor would cost more and be less efficient than a new lathe.
Another LJ pointed me to eBay where someone sold a variable speed device for between $19-24 plus shipping.
Rockler wanted $34.98 for its variable speed plug.
The old motor was 1/6 hp, 2.5 amps, 1725 rpm and 25 years old.
So this is what my old buddy looked like.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1372.jpg
I undid all the old switch stuff
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1374.jpg
I used my Kreg jig to make the pocket holes to attach the new swithc box to the table
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1376.jpg
These are the parts. I went to big blue and for $.25 for the box and $4.83 for the variable switch I am on my way to a variable speed mini late.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1377.jpg
I wired it all together
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1378.jpg
And it works!
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t66/Sawdust2_2007/DSCN1380.jpg
The only problem is that the old fart needs to start at the fast speed and then wind down. At our age you'd think it would be the other way around.
Now, our subdivision is having a chili cookoff tomorrow. Before I started all of this I put together my version of Skyline chili and it was simmering for 3 hours while I adapted my lathe.