Maker Pro
Maker Pro

Speed control

C

Christopher

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello Stumpy,


Is there any reason why I can't use a variable transformer to reduce the
speed on a mini-lathe?

It won't get you where you want to go!

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82995

This one has a listed minimum speed of 600 RPM which is way too fast for me.
I don't need much power, just want to wrap various wires around a mandrel at
a very slow rate.


"I don't need much power" Then why are you starting off with 1/3 hp.

Possible disengage the motor and use the lathe as a winding jig form
holder with a crank handle mounted on the end.

For "home-brew", modified BBQ motor or Can Opener motors with a foot
pedal switch works ok. I have wound many coils and prefer to use my
own hand turned crank wheel, no motor, for the "best control". Hold
the wire with a rubber glove or washed hands for traction.

Good Luck,

* * *
Christopher

Temecula CA.USA
http://www.oldtemecula.com
 
S

Stumpy

Jan 1, 1970
0
"I don't need much power" Then why are you starting off with 1/3 hp.

Possible disengage the motor and use the lathe as a winding jig form
holder with a crank handle mounted on the end.

For "home-brew", modified BBQ motor or Can Opener motors with a foot
pedal switch works ok. I have wound many coils and prefer to use my
own hand turned crank wheel, no motor, for the "best control". Hold
the wire with a rubber glove or washed hands for traction.

Good Luck,

* * *
Christopher


The BBQ motor and can opener sound like a better speed. I guess a simple
on/off foot switch would work. I want 2 hands for the wire, so hand crank
is not ideal.

If I could put a ratchet on a pole lathe so it only goes one direction, that
would work too.

http://www.historicgames.com/lathes/springpole.html

I hate it when making the tools takes longer than the project itself.

How would I couple a can opener motor to the chuck? I've never opened one
up yet.
 
C

Chris

Jan 1, 1970
0
Stumpy said:
Is there any reason why I can't use a variable transformer to reduce the
speed on a mini-lathe?

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82995

This one has a listed minimum speed of 600 RPM which is way too fast for me.
I don't need much power, just want to wrap various wires around a mandrel at
a very slow rate.

H, Stumpy. Actually, the manual states the speed range is 750 to 3200
RPM.

You've already got a DC PM motor, and a DC speed control. Putting a
variac in will probably smoke the speed control. I'm sure it will
actually go slower than 750RPM, particularly if there's an adjsutment
to the minimum speed setting on the DC drive. The problem is, the
motor will probably go cogging at lower RPMs, and will not provide you
with sufficient torque. Your piece part will suffer as a result.

If I were in your shoes, and I was interested in getting a lower speed
out of this lathe, I'd look at part #31, the drive pulley. You might
want to ask the manufacturer if they've got one with a wider diameter,
which would give you a lower speed range. Depending on the adjustment
range, you might have to specify another drive belt (part #32), too.

Don't ignore the possibility of making or modifying a pulley here.

Good luck
Chris
 
S

Stumpy

Jan 1, 1970
0
H, Stumpy. Actually, the manual states the speed range is 750 to 3200
RPM.

You've already got a DC PM motor, and a DC speed control. Putting a
variac in will probably smoke the speed control. I'm sure it will
actually go slower than 750RPM, particularly if there's an adjsutment
to the minimum speed setting on the DC drive. The problem is, the
motor will probably go cogging at lower RPMs, and will not provide you
with sufficient torque. Your piece part will suffer as a result.

If I were in your shoes, and I was interested in getting a lower speed
out of this lathe, I'd look at part #31, the drive pulley. You might
want to ask the manufacturer if they've got one with a wider diameter,
which would give you a lower speed range. Depending on the adjustment
range, you might have to specify another drive belt (part #32), too.

Don't ignore the possibility of making or modifying a pulley here.

Good luck
Chris

Never mind. While diddling around in the garage trying to attach a chuck to
a 12v pencil sharpener. I slowly realized that I had a prebuilt system
already there. I put a variable speed drill in a bench vice, looped a cord
over a piece of PVC and tied it to a closed end wrench 2" off the floor. Put
a 1/4" rod in the chuck and wrapped ~100' of 26 gauge wire on in a couple of
minutes.

I like it when I don't have to spend any money or wait on parts.
 
S

Stumpy

Jan 1, 1970
0
Now you tell me. I'm going to end up doing my own thinking.
 
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