Motor for Flexispeed Lathe

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

I think you would need quite a speed reduction via a counter shaft.

[herbert punterParticipant @herbertpunter99795]

Posted by Mark P. on 10/01/2015 19:00:31:
I think you would need quite a speed reduction via a counter shaft.

That's the plan. I have the countershaft assembly, with a small motor some gearing down will give it more poke at low speed. I think these lathes need to run at speeds of less than 1000 rpm.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Bert, I think the usual speed for the counter shaft is 500rpm, so you just have to work out the ratio required.

Ian S C

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

It will probably need a 6:1 ratio although you may get away with 5:1, it depends how much the motor speed drops under load. The problem will be getting the belt to have a good wrap around the small motor pulley. Long centres will help but a better alternative might be to use timing pulleys and belts with teeth. Let us know how you get on.

Rod

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Hello Herbert, what width belt are you using from the counter shaft to head stock on your simat? My pulleys measure 7.85mm so I suppose that an 8mm (5/16&quot wide belt will be ok.

[herbert punterParticipant @herbertpunter99795]

Thanks for the good advice chaps!

I'm not in too much of a hurry with it. I bought it on a whim a year or so ago. It was mounted on an old kitchen cabinet with a large motor that wouldn't look out of place on a Myford!

I saw this B&Q bench grinder without any wheels for £6 so I thought it would do. I don't have much time at the moment but I'm hanging up my clogs at the end of April so I should be able to get on with it. I shall log it on here when I do, hopefully with some help from you guys it wll be a useful addition to my workshop.

Bert

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

Finally, I have set up my Flexispeed and it isready to try using. I am not sure whether I have set the speeds at realistic rates: the top speed is a shade under 500 rpm, the lowest without the backgear being 190 rpm. With the backgear, it is measuring 50 rpm. The first thing that I wish to make for it is a pair of oilers for the headstock, followed by a QCTP. Making these will soon give me an idea of a how useful the speeds are.

Regards,

James.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

James, that sounds a quite sensible speed range. Is that a clutch on the counter shaft pulley? That looks a nice little lathe.

Ian S C

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Ooops

Edited By Ian S C on 10/07/2015 11:50:18

[CotswoldsPhilParticipant @cotswoldsphil]

The problem with small grinder motors apart from the 2850 speed is that they are not continuously rated – do check the label. They get quite warm after a few minutes or at least the two I have do.

Phil

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

If this crops up again. Peatol sell a nice compact GEC motor for their lathes. 1400rpm. They get a bit hot but this type of motor often does. The price was very reasonable and I'd guess it still is. 1/4hp £50 currently. Their lathe needs the power for it's nK top speed. There would be plenty available at normal speeds on other small lathes.

I had something similar to the flexispeed at one point, came fitted with 1/2 hp. Too much doesn't hurt really but as it was an old motor it was a bit big.

Whoops – I'm assuming the Peatol still uses the same motor or a very similar one as the motor board and belt would have to be changed if it was much bigger.

John

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Edited By John W1 on 10/07/2015 14:24:05

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John W1 on 10/07/2015 14:23:34:

Whoops – I'm assuming the Peatol still uses the same motor or a very similar one as the motor board and belt would have to be changed if it was much bigger.

.

John,

If you want to check … here is the website for Peatol [in Harborne]

MichaelG.

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

Different make but looks the same style of motor to me due to the external capacitor.

He isn't far from me so I have visited him a couple of times but not for a long time. I sold my Peatol a couple of years ago but kept a few of the bits which will probably find there way onto my Pultra. I'm hoping to machine the 4 jaw I have to fit directly on the spindle nose to avoid overhang and get the 3 jaw and do the same but will need to do some size checks for that. The 3 jaw can be persuaded to grip as true as any collet if it's on a lathe that can turn very round and parallel. Just machine the faces while the chuck is closed on a washer pulled back into a small register at the back. Remove the washer and clean up the slight lip that's left. Grip – I've held sharp 3/8 end mills in it and cut straight through 3/8 mild steel. Also a 1/8 in woodruff cutter probably a bit over 1in dia to its' full depth. (Making a router fence.)

John

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[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Herbert

There will be no power in a small grinder. I tried one on a small engraver, total waste of time.

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

John,

Thank you. I am pleased with the machine, which was a Christmas present. The lump on the pully is just the stub of the billet from which I machined the pulley. I started doing it on a friend's lathe, but needed a bigger machine to bore it out. I did that on a huge great industrial machine in a factory at about 10:00pm. As I barely knew the person, I did not want to overstay my welcome, so it had to stay as it is.

I am not sure whether the comments from others regarding grinder motors refer to my motor or not: however, this motor is not from a grinder, is rated at 1/6hp and cost just £25.00 delivered.

Regards,

James.

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