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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Thinking about switching Lathes (Read 20535 times)
marlinguy
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #30 - Aug 22nd, 2017 at 8:39pm
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Rotary converters are basically a motor with a generator hung on the end to generate 3 ph. power. The generator doesn't lose any power, but the motor takes power to turn, and then produce 3 ph. power. So it's not a 1-1 ratio, since it does use some power to run the rotary converter.
  

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shovel80
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #31 - Aug 23rd, 2017 at 8:47am
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marlinguy wrote on Aug 22nd, 2017 at 8:39pm:
Rotary converters are basically a motor with a generator hung on the end to generate 3 ph. power. The generator doesn't lose any power, but the motor takes power to turn, and then produce 3 ph. power. So it's not a 1-1 ratio, since it does use some power to run the rotary converter.


A Rotary Converter "IS" A Motor Ran AS a Generator...No generator is attached...I was refering to loss of HP at the Mill or Lathe in previous post..Of course it takes some 
single phase power to run the three phase motor to generate three phase using a capacitor to make the power for the tool or tools...I use a rotary phase converter to power a three phase lathe and a three phase mill.

Terry Smiley
  

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John Taylor
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #32 - Aug 23rd, 2017 at 9:34am
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Seems like most here don't like anything that is not made in the U.S.   While I do have a few machines that were made here I found that most are out of reach for me. I have three lathes, all imports. The one that gets used the most is a 14X40 Birmingham that I bought new about 10 years back. For a phase converter I took an old 3 phase motor and and used a small motor to get it started. I have a one way clutch on the starter motor so it does not spin with the converter.  No capacitors and I can run four machines, sometime three at a time. My two mills have auto stop when they get to the end of the cut. I have kicked the circuit braker more than a few times . While my phase converter may not be a true 3 phase power it will give me instant reverse. My two smaller lathes ( 12X36 and 12X37) just did not seem to cover all the barrel jobs.
  

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cuslog
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #33 - Aug 23rd, 2017 at 11:01am
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I bought my first lathe ~ 10 years ago - bought brand new 220 single phase because that's what my shop had and I didn't want to be bothered with some kind of phase converter. Fast forward to today and I've just recently installed a three phase motor / VFD on a piece of equipment. Now that I've seen the advantages of the VFD first hand, I don't think I'd ever buy another 1 phase piece of equipment - and I'm looking for a 3 phase motor for my old 1 phase lathe. The speed control is great - slow the motor down to ~ 180 RPM or go way over speed (1740 motor up to 3480 or even more if its balanced well enough) just by turning a dial. Wish I had that on my mill. Undecided
  
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Amoretti
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #34 - Aug 23rd, 2017 at 2:03pm
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I too am a fan of the new vfd 3 phase/2 phase speed controllers.  One caution is they are very electronically noisy and drove my Shooting Star dros crazy.   

John in Wyoming
  
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #35 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 6:55pm
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Bought one this afternoon. Advice you guys gave helped me narrow it down.  Found this Logan 1955 H on Craig's List 25 miles from home . Fellow buys and overhauls as a hobby.

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It's in nice shape. Comes with a 3 jaw and 4 Jaw.  Now to get it home and in the shop. Appreciate all the comments. Frank who has a Logan 11 inch was kind enough to give me tips on the phone before looking at it.

Boats
  
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JLouis
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #36 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 7:06pm
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Congratulations Boat it looks like it will serve your own personal needs very well as does mine do for me and all that really counts. 

Very nice looking Lathe! 
JLouis
  

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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #37 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 7:48pm
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Nice clean little machine, congrats.  If you're like the rest of us, you won't be worth a darn for anything else for a while Wink all you'll want to do is drive your new lathe...
G
  

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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #38 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 8:18pm
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Boats, if you decide to go to the Electronic 3 Phase system. You need to match the unit to your Horsepower rating of the Motor. If you buy a Static Phase converter and you get one of higher Horse Power Rating it will NOT make 3 Phase power and will pass 220V Single Phase thru to your Machine. It will run but will eventually "Cook" your Motor. Ask me how I know. But with a Rotary system you can get a unit that produces more 3 Phase power than you need. This will give you the option of 
adding more 3 Phase equipment if you choose in the future. The Static Phase system cheats you of power makes you about 80% of your Motors potential. I have both a Rotary and one Bridgeport on the Static system. Mostly because I do not like the noise of the Rotary system. But I have everything else on the Rotary and I can load up to 13 Horse Power accumitavely at the same time if I choose. Hope this helps. Regards, FITZ-G Smiley
  
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #39 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 8:35pm
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Fitz it has a 115 V.  Motor. Will see how that goes.

Now to move my Atlas out and get the Logan home.  Thinking take the adjustable feet off , bolt it to two furniture dollys from Northern Tool. Strip all I can off then hire a roll back wrecker for the 25 mile drive.  Will try that with my Utility Trailer and the Atlas first (sons shop) it's lighter by half. Works ok then rig the Logan same way.
  
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #40 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 8:37pm
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It looks like you did OK. That Logan will make about anything you want to make and it's big enough to put a barrel thru the spindle. If you should ever want to do barrel work you'll want to replace that tension nut on the outboard end of the spindle with a longer one with 4 set screws in it to center barrels on the outboard end. I can furnish a photo of mine if you would like.
  
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #41 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 8:48pm
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Deadeye have a home made spider for the outboard end of my Atlas very useful. Like to see that photo.  One on my Atlas have to run with the door open be good to be able to leave one on.

Here is my trailer. It handles 1000 lbs low fine not so sure about the Logan set up. Could be tippy. Have carried a 400 lb drill press for my sons shop, lowered the head all the way down first.  Bags of mulch to keep it from bouncing empty


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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #42 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 9:33pm
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I think you posted a picture like one of my first, you're lucky that drill press and trailer can defy gravity it could have been a heck of wreck...  Grin
  

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"The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right" M.T.
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #43 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 9:53pm
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It was  a solid ride with the head down all the way. Always cautious about stability though. Seen a number of ship incidents due weight too high. Couple significant. Most because of cargo shifting. What you don't see in the drill press photo is cross sleepers with the presses bed bolted in addition to 4 way lashing high. . No way for the load to shift.   

That's my lathe concern though higher CG. And load weight very close to trailer capacity.  May be better to hire a roll back. Nice and wide 800 lbs nothing to them. 

Boats
  
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Re: Thinking about switching Lathes
Reply #44 - Aug 24th, 2017 at 11:18pm
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Sounds like the load is 80% of trailer capacity?  You still have a safety margin, 25 miles? take it slow shouldn't be an issue.  First recommendation I have for you though is to get rid of the rope, purchase a package of 1" wide nylon ratchet straps, use cushions under the straps under any sharp corners, (ie. old leather gloves work well here).  I'm probably not telling you anything new here.
Just don't hurry and check and double check, go slow and be one of the guys in a little brown derby (that's what my wife says causes traffic jams) and drive like you have precious cargo - which you do.
  

"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk"  T. A. Edison
"The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right" M.T.
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