adding a foot brake? Possible?

[Jay Christopherson]

I'm mulling over a used Jet GHB-1440A. It does not appear to have a foot brake, although I have found references (online and we all know how accurate that is) to it having a foot brake.

Anyone know if it is possible to add a foot brake after the fact? This is a 2HP, 1PH, 230V motor if that makes a difference.

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

Anything is possible with enough cash. The only reason I have ever found a need for the foot brake was metric threads.

 

[Robert]

I'm mulling over a used Jet GHB-1440A. It does not appear to have a foot brake, although I have found references (online and we all know how accurate that is) to it having a foot brake.

Anyone know if it is possible to add a foot brake after the fact? This is a 2HP, 1PH, 230V motor if that makes a difference.

Jaychris
Switch the machine on a frequency converter. You will add variable speed and be able to set acceleration/deceleration to your liking As efficient as a foot brake wih multiple added advantages...and keep your feet on the ground..

R.G.C

 

[Robert]

Anything is possible with enough cash. The only reason I have ever found a need for the foot brake was metric threads.

Xring,

I have threaded 000s of imperial threads on metric machines...and never found the need of a footbrake...Preferred to remain stable and attentive to what I was doing.

I could find a footbrake usefull in the old production times when the machine was used at high speeds and stopping the spindle quickly could save time and add to safety. Other than that??.
R.G.C

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

The foot brake was an easy way to stop the spindle quickly with the half nut engaged.. Not the best answer but thats the only time I ever used it

 

[Rustystud]

Quick stops are hard on the lathe as you are moving a lot of mass. My lathe is 3 phase and will stop as fast as I set the timing. One can go from one direction to the other with the flip of the leaver. Another factor is your lathe a D-1 configuration or screw on chuck. You can put a spinning chuck in orbit in your shop. Not a good thing.

Once working in the Rock Quarry I saw a three phase 125 hp electric motor wired wrong. It was turned on and began turning then the second or third phase kicked in going the oposite direction. The motor sheered off eight 2" bolts in concrete and jummped around on the ground before winding down. It could of easily killed someone.

I use my brake sparingly and never have used my emergency stop. You are looking at putting a lot of unnessary stress on your spindle bearings.
Nat Lambeth

 

[Jay Christopherson]

It's a D1-4 spindle, so hopefully no orbiting chucks. It was just something I considered.

 

[jscandale]

Just a humble question...Whit the exception of an emergency stop, why do you need to stop the lathe so abruptly? I have never used the foot brakes on any of my lathes. Just curious...


JS

 

[bibsmachine]

Wait untill you get some of your clothing or part of your body wound up in the chuck. I have 3 lathes and all have a foot brake. I would not own a lathe with out one. But that is just me.

 

[jscandale]

Wait untill you get some of your clothing or part of your body wound up in the chuck. I have 3 lathes and all have a foot brake. I would not own a lathe with out one. But that is just me.

Well, yeah, in an emergency situation for sure. I have 2 lathes, both with foot brakes that I hope never to use, but I was under the impression from the original posting that the brake would be used on a regular basis. Maybe I misinterpreted it. I'm glad you wrote that though to clarify the purpose.

JS

 

[Robert]

Wait untill you get some of your clothing or part of your body wound up in the chuck. I have 3 lathes and all have a foot brake. I would not own a lathe with out one. But that is just me.

I don't think in such cases the reaction will be to action the foot brake...If only you still can....and if the brake is powerfull enough to stop the running motor...
R.G.C

 

[jscandale]

Robert,

I think you are right. I would be very hard to say what reaction would happen. If the lathe is in a high rpm, things would happen faster than a blink of an eye and certainly faster than human reaction time for sure. I don't even want to think about it, makes my stomach turn.
When I worked on my lathe, I took off the main drive pulley to the main spindle which was constructed like a automobile brake drum. Inside the pulley is a set of brake pads just like a small car. I have tested it out to see how fast it stops the spindle and suprisingly it stops a lot of rotating mass dead in its tracks. With that said, I think the only way I could possibly use the brake is if something mechanically went wrong rather than the grizzly alternative that I don't even want to think of.

JS

 

[shortgrass]

Wait untill you get some of your clothing or part of your body wound up in the chuck. I have 3 lathes and all have a foot brake. I would not own a lathe with out one. But that is just me.

Operating any machine tool while wearing loose fitting clothing/watch/jewelery or a tie violates every "machine shop practice" I've ever know of! Haven't you ever seen the picture of the guy wearing a neck tie and getting it wound-up in the drill chuck? It usually has a big red "X" across the picture. And, Robert is right,,,,, you wouldn't have time to react before loosing a digit or getting "bloodied up"! A misnomer, like "dodging a bullet". Rule #1, don't stick your fingers in a rotating chuck.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I was thinking for emergency stop. I have an emergency stop button of course, but thought it if was easy enough, adding a footbrake might be useful.

(oops, sorry about accidentally putting an 'edited' notation in your post JS- meant to hit 'Quote')

Wait untill you get some of your clothing or part of your body wound up in the chuck. I have 3 lathes and all have a foot brake. I would not own a lathe with out one. But that is just me.

Well, yeah, in an emergency situation for sure. I have 2 lathes, both with foot brakes that I hope never to use, but I was under the impression from the original posting that the brake would be used on a regular basis. Maybe I misinterpreted it. I'm glad you wrote that though to clarify the purpose.

JS

 

[bibsmachine]

I will agree that you all have made good points about having enough time to stop the spindle is case of an emergency.But you never know for shure. I do know that more than once I have had odd shaped pieces of work in a 4 jaw chuck and had the work piece come loose in the chuck and I was glad that I was able to get the spindle shut down fast. I am not trying to start a pissing contest abought foot brakes.

 

[jscandale]

The hell with the foot brake, I wish my lathe had a job complete pedal.

JS

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

The hell with the foot brake, I wish my lathe had a job complete pedal.

JS

LOL same here

 

[bibsmachine]

Also I would like a handle on the side that when you pull it quarters will pile up in the chip pan!!