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.
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
7 comments so far
Thos. Angle
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3236 posts in 444 days
posted 375 days ago
Looks good and I can smell the chili. Lee, I think you’ve out did yourself.
Tom
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
Sawdust2
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847 posts in 569 days
posted 374 days ago
Alas, it was all for naught.
The motor is really old and the decrease in voltage does not transfer to a decrease in speed. It runs at it’s 1725 until there is not enough power to run it and then it quits.
Glad I only spent 5 bucks on the project.
the good thing is that the switch is in an easier place to reach and does not get covered up with lathe chips.
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
snowdog
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627 posts in 464 days
posted 374 days ago
Can you talk a little about the buffing wheels in the background? That looks cool. Does it work well?
-- "so much to learn and so little time"..
Sawdust2
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847 posts in 569 days
posted 374 days ago
Works really well.
My group made three of them originally done to polish bottle stoppers.Cost came out to $30 apiece.
I don’t remember what company has a shorter version, which may work better because there is less distance for the wheels to wobble. With 5/8” allthread it doesn’t wobble much.
Anyway, the company (maybe PennState) sells their’s for $39.00 on a #2 Morse taper so if you don’t have a group that wants to buy stuff in quantity it may be the best bet.
The original is from Beall.
I also use it for buffing pens while the blanks are still on the mandrel.
It is really convenient.
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
Douglas Bordner
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2551 posts in 546 days
posted 374 days ago
Lee,
I didn’t want to venture a guess until you had given ‘er a go, but I think that type of motor will not work with voltage regulators for variable speed. I quote from:
Fine Woodworking #64, Power Primer: Electric Motors in the Woodshop by Edward J. Cowern
“Motor types—Broadly speaking, two major types of motors are
commonly used by woodworkers: induction motors for stationary
power tools, and universal motors for portable tools. A third type,
the direct-current permanent-magnet motor, is becoming popular
for battery-operated cordless tools and in applications where
controlled speed is important.”
The router variable speed type switches only work with Universal type motors.
I hope the attribution will keep me out of trouble with the fine folks at Taunton Press
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Sawdust2
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847 posts in 569 days
posted 374 days ago
Well, if I can just find a universal motor at a reasonable price…
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
DAN
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3202 posts in 465 days
posted 328 days ago
Wondering what ever happened with this guess the way you went was more fun
-- ..... art for lifes sake