Converted my lathe to DC drive!!!!

[rbertalotto]

Best thing I've ever done in my shop. I picked up a 90V DC motor off Ebay for $90 and a controller from Surplus Center for $70 .......Very easy to hook up with a few toggle switches and a potentiometer.......Directions come with the controller.....

FANTASTIC! to be able to dial in the speed for best finish while its turning. I can go from about 5 RPM to "Who knows what" which is faster than I'll ever use except for maybe polishing a barrel.

And HUGE power! You can not stall the motor even taking cut this lathe never dreamed of before........

The lathe is a 1983 Jet 1236 Belt Drive. I simply swapped out the motor, leaving all the different belt drive system in place. I felt the main belt and the jackshaft belt both help to remove vibration from the motor.

Motor is a Dayton #2M169 90V DC

Controller is from Surplus Center...#11-2269 90/180 VDC Speed Control w/Pot

This is the control panel that will be mounted in an enclosure. Power ON-OFF, Direction, and speed
More in photo album:
www.rvbprecision.com

 

[rbertalotto]

Final control panel.....

 

[rbertalotto]

Seems this thread struck a nerve. Lots of folks are asking for more info. So here goes....


The motor I found on EBay is a Dayton #2M169 90V DC motor. I took a chance and bought it as I know next to nothing about this stuff and I got it at a great deal.,$90) List price is a bit north of $400!
It turned out to be a 3/4 HP, 1750RPM unit. 3/4 HP doesn't sound like much, but it works great on my lather. Much more power than the stock 2HP motor the lathe came with. You can buy it and see more info here:
http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/Dayton_dc_motors.htm

The controller was from Surplus Center ... www.surpluscenter.com

It is a pretty simple affair. You can see it here:

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2007110405113150&catname=electric&qty=1&item=11-2269

Cost was $70. The same place that I listed above for the motor can hook you up with everything you need, at a higher cost.

The motor came with zero instructions. But only had two wires, so how bad could I screw this up! The controller came with very good instructions, a potentiometer, and a bunch of other hardware which made the wiring a snap.

All I added was a DPDT toggle for ON/OFF, a second DPDT toggle with center off for F/R, and a knob for the pot.

Hope this helps....

Good Luck!

 

[rbertalotto]

Everything you ever wanted to know about DC Motors and a GREAT instruction sheet on how to set the pots on this particular speed controller

http://www.joliettech.com/dc_drive_fundamentals.htm

 

[7C15]

Nice, Just what I told a guy on previous post when he wanted a variable speed drill press

 

[Clark]

Someone just gave me a 3hp 4000 rpm 120 V.D.C. motor surplussed from Precor.

I won a Variac [Powerstat autotransformer model 126 with 0-140 vac output 15 amps with 120 vac input] auction on Ebay for ~$80 delivered, and intent to control it with that, a switch, and a bridge rectifier.

I intend to put it on my 12 Atlas lathe that currently has 1/4 hp that someone put on since the lathe was built in 1938.

I am an electrical engineer with a minimum of motor control experience, but I work with some real motor control experts. I have designed test equipment for motor controls.

 

[TRECustom]

I have a Romi 12 x 60 lathe with a 1180rpm 3hp 3~ motor. The motor sheave is so small,3 belt,tho)that I can't go to a single~ 1760 rpm 3 or 5hp motor without raising my lowest spindle speed to about 60 rpm. The setup you describe seems like a good alternative to the 3~ static convertor I'm using. I haven't worked out the wiring diagram for using my carriage mounted on/off reversing switch lever yet, but I'll bet it can be done.

Thanks for a great idea. Tom

 

[dtech]

I converted one of my vertical mill over to DC back about 10 years ago. It made that mill worth twice to me what it was before. Really gives you some great control.

 

[Clark]

rbertalotto,
I just realized, you posted a picture of that lathe's spider for me 7 or 8 years ago.

We put them on three lathes and chambered ~25 barrels.

I can't thank you enough.
Clark

 

[rbertalotto]

Thanks for the kind words, Clark...........Always glad to be of assistance to other gun nuts!

BTW, your pictures are not showing up?

 

[Clark]

Ok, I got my web page working.

 

[TRECustom]

rbertalotto, good pic. Noticed you are using 3 screws in your spider. I did the same thing for several years, and then re-drilled it for 4 and can center a barrel up much faster now. It's really easy to indicate in two planes with the 4 screws. With the 3 screws I was always having to guess at correction to get it centered.

I really like the DC setup. Good thread, Tom.

 

[rbertalotto]

I have another one with 4 screws, but I find the three screws faster..........JMO...........