VFD for this lathe ?

[Willbird]

http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2007/Main/534

they refer the potential buyer to a 15 horsepower rotary phase converter that grizzly sells for $1750 ?? sheesh, that is a deal breaker. Can I use a VFD with a two speed motor ??


Bill

[Al_The_Man]

Look for a quality unit (VFD) on ebay, you can get 5hp or preferably 7.5hp that will operate on 1 ph input. You can operate the motor on a VFD wired for one speed.
If you pick up a 5hp VFD, the lower speed rating might be the best way to go the with the VFD set for top limit of 120hz.
Al.

[Willbird]

Honestly Al I'm not afraid to buy a NEW VFD for this app. Even that would be far cheaper than the rotary phase converter Grizzly specced for this lathe.

Wiring the VFD might be a bit scary for me :-)...I THINK these machines use the "on" lever to actually turn the motor on

IE the motor does not run all the time with a mechanical forward and reverse clutch but rather the spindle lever turns the motor on in either forward or reverse.

If it follows the format of the small jet lathe we have at work there is a two position switch to set the motor to high or low speed.

There is some potential that I may cnc this lathe after I get it.

Bill