Is it my turn? Anything to do with lathes, mills and other shop tools

[gggGary]

You have 220 in the shop? If the motor is open so changing it is easy buy a 3 phase 220 motor, dunno 3/4, 1 1/2HP and get a 1 1/2, 2HP VFD
In general don't push the motor too far RE RPM, with a heavy load a range of from 40 to 100 hz compared to the 60hz at the wall With light loads you might go a little lower but the motor will overheat run very long at low RPM.
It's not a a substitute for a back gear.

 

[Mike G]

Yep, I have one on the mill. It was cheaper ($220) and easier to install than I thought. No complaints, it just does it's thing and runs the motor. It was more work adding the 220V outlet near the mill than installing and programming the VFD. I'm a fan...

 

[Mike G]

So... if someone was wanting vari speed control on their single phase Atlas, what would they buy?

I got mine from AutomationDirect after doing my research online, another place that was recommended is Wolf automation. There are other suppliers depending on what brand you want. It can be as complicated or simple to install as you want. I went simple and the only way for me to vary the speed is to change it at the VFD but adding a speed pot wouldn't be difficult or expensive. I decided to use the variable speed on the mill to avoid wearing a groove into the variable speed pulleys from running in one spot too long.

Remember that VFD's are constant torque below synchronous (normal 60Hz) speed and constant horsepower above it, which means half speed is half power at slower speeds and torque is decreasing at higher speeds. Another factor is older motors have older insulation and are not VFD rated so you are somewhat limited in what you can do compared to a VFD rated motor. I read that it's less of an issue if the motor is dual voltage and you are using the lower voltage. I'm no EE, just what I learned during my research.

 

[Mike G]

Gary is right about cooling, that's another thing you get with VFD rated motors...better fans. Some guys add a separate cooling fan to the motor fan inlet to keep them cooler. I tried running the mill at half speed for a while, just to try it, and it did feel warmer but never got hot, but then I don't run it hard either.

YMMV...

 

[gggGary]

This one running 3HP on the mill

 

[gggGary]

Jim's new project

He's got the full boxed micrometer set but still needs to bump up the Atlas power a bit.

 

[Jim]

Thought I felt a presence on the mesa last night. You shoulda' knocked on the door, I'da given you the nickel tour...

 

[RC4MAN]

Can read the name on the headstock, Niles. Saw it earlier today on FB.
Nice shop set up Gary. I may hit you up for advice when I'm ready with something

 

[gggGary]

So... if someone was wanting vari speed control on their single phase Atlas, what would they buy?

Asking for a friend.

typical FB motor deal
https://www.facebook.com/share/18uEZjL8D1/

 

[gggGary]

I THINK you can run/ speed vary your 120 volt single phase motor with a 220 three phase VFD but you'll need one rated for M/L 3 times your motor horse power, since you'd only be tapping off one leg. Bonus it'll run a 3 phase motor easy peasy when you find a hot deal on the just right one to fit the lathe.
If we haven't mentioned it; there can be ZERO interruption between the VFD and the motor they MUST stay connected any time the VFD is on, or all the operating smoke will come out. That may be an issue depending on what controls are on your lathe.

 

[Jim]

That may be an issue depending on what controls are on your lathe.

There's a FWD-OFF-REV switch... only elec control.
Motor is so old it's lost it's data plate. Still runs great though. If I had to guess... maybe 3/4 to 1 horse.

 

[Mike G]

I used the drum switch on the lathe to control fwd/off/rev on the mill, just had to clean the contacts so there was no voltage drop (you only have 24V DC to work with), works well and you can't beat the price.

 

[Mike G]

If I were wanting dial-a-speed for my lathe, I would buy either a 2 or 3 Hp three phase motor (above 3 Hp, VFD prices go up sharply.). The 3 Hp would give more power at low speeds so would be my choice for a wider speed range..dpends on what you want.

 

[Mike G]

Just for grins, I did a search on AutomationDirect's website Q&A on running single phase motor, this was the question and the reply. Maybe it's possible but AD says don't do it but didn't explain the issue. I wonder if you could run a 220V (2 phase-ish) motor.

− Can this run a 120 vac single phase motor? COPY LINK

Provide an Answer

Question by Roy on 1676912567000
No, we do not carry a VFD that is capable of running a single phase motor. Some VFDs allow you to supply single phase power to them, but all have 3-phase output to the motor.
Answer by ADC Team Member on 1676912762000

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[Jim]

Well, it's a 70yr old Atlas... that works. Guess I'll jus' let it be. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[GLJ]

To change the subject a little my girlfriend brought me home a present from her work. A very small and very cute tool box.

 

[grouchie83]

To change the subject a little my girlfriend brought me home a present from her work. A very small and very cute tool box.
View attachment 345024

I need one of these for my work desk....

 

[grouchie83]

Found the link on Amazon, sent it to my better half hoping I'll get it as a bday gift.

 

[gggGary]

 

[Mike G]

I've been looking for a replacement for my 1/4 HP cheap Chinese (Sam's club I think) underpowered grinder. It seems especially lame lately when grinding lathe bits and one finally showed up at a good price on FBM, the photo is from the ad. Thanks to the Garage Journal forum I knew what this was (It's a 1/2 HP Craftsman "block" grinder) and that it was worth buying and hopefully outlasts me.

There's no date stamp on the bottom, but a Garage Journal member sent me a copy of the catalog pages, and it was made between 1977 and 1981. It is in excellent condition and my plan is to regrease the bearings and give it a minor soap and water cleanup of the minor accumulated "gunk". This is the first "old" thing I've bought in a long time that didn't require any major repairs.