Newbie- Lathe

[GuyMB]

Hi Everyone,
Has anyone got a Warco 1224VS lathe? Have just bought one and would love to share experiences.
Cheers,
GuyMB

[handlewanker]

Hi, a lathe is a lathe, so what do you want to use it for, and what experience do you have?
Ian.

[GuyMB]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The lathe is for general machining - mostly machine parts. I have no problem with the general use of a lathe, but this one has an inverter speed control, which I have not used before, and the manual gives no info on its use and is pretty useless! (Poor translation from Chinese.) My query was really in the hope of meeting up with an owner of the same lathe to shed some light on the subject.
GuyMB

[handlewanker]

Hi, the inverter drive is a VFD, which is a "dial a speed type" electronic speed control.

Unless you have an indication of the RPM range on the control dial, I'd invest in one of those electronic tachometers that you just point at the chuck etc,to check your rev range.
Ian.

[GuyMB]

Hi Ian,
Thanks for your reply. Yes, the speed is shown on the digital read out for the inverter.
Just one further query - it says on the control panel 'Do not change speed while the lathe is running' As this machine is an upgrade from the geared head version, I would think that this only applied to that version. Would I be correct in saying that I can vary the speed while it is running now that it is inverter controlled? Cheers, Guy.

[handlewanker]

Hi Guy, I would say, BUT, with a bit of reservation, that the VFD type is not really an "upgrade", but a cost cutting exercise, in my opinion that is.

It takes a lot more work and money to produce a geared head set-up, but on the other hand the ability to steplessly change speed is very apealing to a lot of people, and makes a big selling point to the uninitiated.

The VFD type suffers from low speed lack of torque, although the VFD is designed to keep shoveling on the coal as the power demand rises, LOL, when the motor is turning over relatively slowly it is under a lot of strain due to overheating, caused by the motor running slowly.

In actual fact the slower the motor runs for an increase in torque demand, the more cooling it requires, and the opposite happens with VFD controllers.

I run 3 phase motors from the single phase supply with a VFD, and that is the same as the controller you have, except you are running it from the single phase supply and getting single phase out, same difference.

As far as I know, with a VFD controller, you can vary the speed whilst the motor is running, which is the whole point of having one.

All my equipment is now running with 3 phase motors from the 1HP VFD I bought some time ago, beacause the 3 phase motors are almost given away at most scrap metal dealers and they don't suffer from start winding burn out from switching on and off too often, also they come in a smaller package than single phase for the same horse power equivalent.

One thing with VFD set-ups and that is to use belt reduction to get the speed down initially so that at the lowest speed range on the VFD, the motor is still turning over at a rate to give sufficient cooling.

I also go for motors that are 3000 rpm, which gives a lot of latitude in the rev range, to allow motor cooling.

Putting a fan near the motor you've got on the lathe won't help if it gets hot due to the heat originating from inside.

Hope this helps you a bit.

BTW, having invested in a lathe, you MUST get a QCTP, (a quick change tool post) with about 6 or 8 tool holders.

Your life will never be the same again once you've used one of these.

I designed and made my own, and if you have access to a mill and know how to use one I'll let you have a drawing/sketch so's you can make your own, saves a whole heap of money.

How about posting a photo of the lathe so's we'all can see what a Warco 1224VS looks like, also your impressions as to finish, general construction and useability etc, along with a few dimensions.
Ian.

[TerraWombat]

Manufacturers website for this lathe: http://www.warco.co.uk/VS1224-VS1232...EEF2F862.aspx#

[handlewanker]

Wow, now that's a nice lathe by any standards.

I like the 38mm spindle bore size.

Price isn't bad either, about A$5,000 in OZ dollars.
Ian.

[GuyMB]

Hi Ian,
Many thanks for your helpful reply. TerraWombat beat me to it in giving you the details of the VS1224! As you say, a very nice machine, although the catalogue pic does show the older geared head version.
I take your points about 3ph. I have a number of machines for both wood and metalworking, all single phase, - never really got round to converting!
My son has now taken over the main business, which you can see at www.hatblocks.co.uk - he's on 3ph. That's me at 'More about us' from the home page. Although I am a mechanical engineer, my career has involved both wood and metal working. Now just retired from the business, I am returning to my first love, hence the new lathe! It is not installed yet but I hope to have it running soon.
Yes, your QCTP sounds interesting. Could you email me the sketch? I am at guy@morsebrowns.com That would be much appreciated.
What do you make? Be interested to hear more!
Regards,
Guy.