Ultra Newcomer Lathe Setup Query

[BrahmaParticipant @andyorinocho-co-uk]

Good afternoon folks.

Thank you for letting me join.  I wonder if you can help me?

I’m an ultra newcomer to the world of engineering – and in particular, lathes.   I’ve bought an old lathe (minus the motor and related on/off switch & speed control kit) with the intention of turning some wooden parts to make some wooden toys for my grandson (train wheels, train body, car wheels, etc) and also to use with my other hobby of repairing antique and vintage clocks.  I don’t have very much disposable income to be able to buy a ready made off the shelf lathe – I’m having to try and do this with separate components.

So I’ve got the lathe and now need to buy the power unit.  I understand I don’t need anything very powerful – something that can turn at 1400 – 2000 rpm I believe. Is this right?  I’ve had a look in eBay and there are quite a few small motors for sale but I’m not really sure what I’m looking for so need some help please!!

There is a Brooks Compton Parkinson motor for sale image attached.  Is this ok?  Will I get a pulley to fit?  What else do I need to buy with regards on/off switch and speed control?

Thanks everyone,

Andy

 

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

The normal set up is that both motor and lathe (and often the countershaft- to increase the number of speeds available) carry stepped pulleys.

Often three sheaves on the motor pulley and three matching sheaves, but reversed, on the lathe spindle, for three speeds.

A countershaft with two stepped pulleys would increase the three speeds to nine. Even one stepped pulley will double the speeds available.

The speed will be determined by the number of poles in the motor. Usually single phase motors on lathes run at 1470 rpm.

Your picture shows a 1400 rpm motor. 45 watts is pretty weak motor, and not suitable for most lathe work (Unless you plan to use a watchmaker’s lathe).

Most single phase motors for lathes are likely be at least 500 watts

The motor speed for an AC is not variable, it is tied to mains frequency.

The speed of the lathe spindle is varied by changing the belt between the sheaves of the pulleys on motor and spindle.

CATCH 22

You might need to bore the pulley out, or bush it, to fit the motor shaft

And you need the lathe to do that! Plus the pulley will probably have, or need, a tapping for a grubscrew.

If you want to reverse it, you will need particular switchgear, and preferably, for safety, a No Volt Release switch between that and the mains.

If you are unsure, let someone who does know what they are doing wire it up!

(I’ve just made a cutter grinder, and reversing the motor requires a three pole changeover switch with nine connections, some interconnected!)

If you are wood turning remember that saw dust flies everywhere, more easily than metal.  And some wood dust is corrosive (Oak for instance), so keep the machine clean!

You will be able to use the lathe to cut metal for your clock repairing, but the speeds needed will be different. And you will need measuring equipment.

Whatever use to which the lathe is put, you will need to ensure that the tool is sharp (Bench grinder for High Speed Steel.  Doubt if carbide rips would be suitable for wood turning) And the tool needs to be mounted on the centre line, to cut properly, if at all.

Sounds like, as a newbie, you will need a lot of advice and help.

Where are you located, in case anyone is willing to give you face to face help?

Howard

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Above all DO NOT DESPAIR!

It might sound complicated, but all is doable.

Like eating an elephant, one bite at a time.

Overcome one obstacle at a time.

On the way, you will learn a lot of new skills, but not instantly.

What lathe have you got?

Howard

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

It would help if you had said what lathe you have. For some small lathes like Cowells, Adept, Flexispeed, unimat, weighing less than 100lbs you will only need 200W, while a bigger Drummond, Myford, Zyto, often called a “3 1/2in” needs 500-750W. You are unlikely to need more for the tasks you mention.
You want a 1450rpm motor not a 200rpm one (which are for fans), or some kind of DC variable speed motor. In the USA it seems to be common to get treadmill motors for variable speed.

You could make a treadle if you have any mechanical aptitude, in fact if you cannot figure out how to do that perhaps you should take up knitting.

[BrahmaParticipant @andyorinocho-co-uk]

Hi Howard.

First of all good point about my location – I am in Gretna, SW Scotland.

Many thanks for your detailed reply.  Wow – there’s a lot to think about!!  My idea with the motor I shared was based on me only doing small work and other folk seem to be using these small motors for watchmaking.  But I do want to have a try at wood turning at some point to so don’t want to hamstring myself by getting the power requirements wrong right at the start.

Will I need something as powerful as 500watts for turning brass and – maybe, in the future steel for screw replacements?  And for turning small wheels for cars etc?  I don’t want to turn logs and lumps of wood into bowls or anything. Sorry, you can tell I’m a total beginner can’t you!!

[Bazyle]

On Bazyle Said:

It would help if you had said what lathe you have. For some small lathes like Cowells, Adept, Flexispeed, unimat, weighing less than 100lbs you will only need 200W, while a bigger Drummond, Myford, Zyto, often called a “3 1/2in” needs 500-750W. You are unlikely to need more for the tasks you mention.
You want a 1450rpm motor not a 200rpm one (which are for fans), or some kind of DC variable speed motor. In the USA it seems to be common to get treadmill motors for variable speed.

You could make a treadle if you have any mechanical aptitude, in fact if you cannot figure out how to do that perhaps you should take up knitting.

I guess I should have included something about the lathe I have. As I said in my OP, it is a small lathe that doesn’t have any power so not a Drummond, Myford, etc you mention.  Thanks for the encouragement “in fact if you cannot figure out how to do that perhaps you should take up knitting.” This is a really good way to help a novice and total beginner.  Well done you.

[Brahma]

On 4 August 2025 at 14:33 Brahma Said:

Good afternoon folks.

Thank you for letting me join.  I wonder if you can help me?

I’m an ultra newcomer to the world of engineering – and in particular, lathes.   I’ve bought an old lathe (minus the motor and related on/off switch & speed control kit) with the intention of turning some wooden parts to make some wooden toys for my grandson (train wheels, train body, car wheels, etc) and also to use with my other hobby of repairing antique and vintage clocks.  I don’t have very much disposable income to be able to buy a ready made off the shelf lathe – I’m having to try and do this with separate components.

So I’ve got the lathe and now need to buy the power unit.  I understand I don’t need anything very powerful – something that can turn at 1400 – 2000 rpm I believe. Is this right?  I’ve had a look in eBay and there are quite a few small motors for sale but I’m not really sure what I’m looking for so need some help please!!

There is a Brooks Compton Parkinson motor for sale image attached.  Is this ok?  Will I get a pulley to fit?  What else do I need to buy with regards on/off switch and speed control?

Thanks everyone,

Andy

 

Here’s a picture of my lathe:

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Good afternoon Brahma,

As Howard has quite rightly pointed out, sawdust and metalworking lathes do not make particularly good bedfellows, especially if the machine has been well lubricated.  The sawdust will stick to everything, often quite tenaciously.  Ask me how I know?

Another point worth considering is speed.  Generally, a metalworking lathe might not run fast enough for wood turning.  Bear that in mind when selecting your drive system.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

[Author]

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