Motor replacement Myford ML7

[MikeAParticipant @mikea]

I am using a Myford ML7 of 1947 vintage (white metal spindle bearings) the original 1/3 HP single phase motor is on its last legs and I am considering installing a 3 phase motor and inverter. Currently I feel the motor is under powered and replacing it with a 3/4 HP the thinking behind this is that when the speed is reduced using the inverter the power of the motor is reduced. Has anyone fitted a 3/4 HP motor to this lathe and will the white metal bearings cope with the extra power and torque. Any advice or recommendations on this matter would be appreciated.

[MikeAParticipant @mikea]

[Enough!Participant @enough]

I did replace mine with a 1/2HP 3-Ph motor using a VFD with no problem. It will still stall in top (drive belt) gear if I do something daft or a large drill plugs up. It's never been an issue though …. more of a convenient safety factor than anything else. I don't feel any real need for higher power than that.

As I recall years back when I asked around, the consensus was that, with the 1/3 HP motor, the machine was a bit under powered and that 1/2 HP was better. There were doubts about going much more than that – but whether based on practical experience I couldn't say.

3/4 HP is more than twice the original design power.

Edited By Bandersnatch on 08/07/2015 17:25:26

[JonParticipant @jon]

Replaced mine with 1ph 1hp Brook Compton, transformed it in to something remotely usable.

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