Lathe motor

[john evans 13Participant @johnevans13]

Hi. Not posted on here for over a year. My old southbend has an equally ancient motor with a reverse lever in its casing. Not too safe to operate as it sits behind the headstock.

I bought a used clarke 1/3 hp motor from a wood lathe. Only then did I consider whether it would reverse or not..I suspect it wont!! Any theories as to how it can be achieved if it is possible? Thank

[john evans 13Participant @johnevans13]

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Hard to say unless you can tell us more. Is it an induction motor? Does it have a capacitor? If so there’s half a chance it can be reversed. Can you post some photos?

[john evans 13Participant @johnevans13]

To be honest I have no idea. Its just a standard type motior to me! There is a hump on the back. I thought I had taken a pic but cant find it just now!

All I know is that it is 1 phase clarke cwl20rv , Half the size of the original, 1460rpm and has a huge spindle length!!

I will take a pic when I can.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

That number refers to the lathe and the manual quotes a 1/2 HP single phase induction motor.

Therefore easy enough to reverse it. Much the same as most other motors except for that long motor shaft.

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

John

The "cwl20rv" is the type number of the lathe to which the motor was fitted (ClarkeWoodLathe20(probably 20" between centres) Reversible Head Variable speed) The speed control was a mechanical one of tapered pulley type.

So the motor is probably not reversible. Take the cover off the connection box and if there are only 2 terminals plus earth then it isn't. If there are 4 terminals and 2 pairs are linked then it is. You might be lucky!

[john evans 13Participant @johnevans13]

Thanks.yes half hour..I mistyped 1/3.
Good news though. So how do I go about reversing it? I need a switch as I had nothing but the power feed and reverse lever on the old motor..what else should I do? Thank you

[john evans 13Participant @johnevans13]

Grr..predictive now!! Half hp not hour!!

[john evans 13Participant @johnevans13]

I cannot access the wiring as the motor would require a total strip down.unlike other motors I have,the feed is in the centre of the case. The hump just contains a capacitor.

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

The capacitor could be relocated, bringing the necessary wires out into the hump…..is that doable?

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

You don't say which Southbend, but if its the 9" (UK size 4 1/2 &quot then 1/3 Hp is a tad small. I had a 1/2 Hp which wasn't enough and swapped out for 3/4 Hp. For me I wouldn't invest time on a 1/3rd Hp.
BobH

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Not an expert,but I would think 1/3rd HP is a bit small for anything,never mind a lathe. Might be OK for a sanding disc or something like that. Might be better off looking for something in the 3/4 HP range. Most of the old Cromtom Parkinson [have I got the spelling right? ] motors could be reversed very simply and they went on for ever and a day.

I have some 50 years old and still going strong !

No sense in fitting a motor that,s too small,you end up with twice the work,having to replace it.

Think about it.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

The OP already said that its 1/2 hp. He mistyped.

To reverse the motor you need to access the leads to the winding that the capacitor feeds and swap those over. Sounds like you can't do that so you're stuck. Do you need reverse? Is your chuck screw fitting? If so you shouldn't be running in reverse anyway with a chuck on.

[Nick HulmeParticipant @nickhulme30114]

Posted by John Haine on 02/08/2018 18:38:06:

The OP already said that its 1/2 hp. He mistyped.

Still small enough that the motor will limit what the lathe can do.

[john evans 13Participant @johnevans13]

I subt a post yesterday but it has not appeared.
The original motor is 1/4 hp and just copes. I do not need reverse but it is handy at times. That is why the enquiry was made. All I wanted was advice as to whether my new motor could be reversed and controlled by a switch. It appears not. I don’t need the advice on motor size however well meaning.bigger is obviously better but I won’t be spending on one due to iffy health prospects!
Thanks again guys.

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