LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

VFD for Oliver 25C Lathe

2K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  SCengineer 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I purchased an Oliver 25C Pattern Maker's lathe some time ago and I want to install a VFD on the 3 phase motor mainly due to having only single phase in my shop, but I want the VFD for speed control, reverse, and other advantages, too. I know I could purchase a phase converter, but I would really like to control the lathe with a VFD.

The lathe is a 1942 model in very good condition other than the front and rear cover plates are missing for the motor. The following information is from the lathe motor name plate:

HP: 3
RPMs/FLA: 1760/8.6, 1160/9.6, 880/13.4, and 575/17.4
Phase: 3
Volts: 220
100% cont load

Here's my question: What would be the best name brand/model number VFD to control the lathe considering forward, reverse, speed control, and emergency stop?

Thanks in advance for your input LJs.
 
#2 ·
They all do forward/reverse/speed and emergency stop (controlled braking). Probably one of the more popular brands is the TECO/Westinghouse, mainly because it's reasonably priced compared to some of the other name brand manufacturers.

BTW: A static phase converter will decrease your motors horsepower by about 1/3rd and run it unbalanced, so it has a greater chance of heating up and frying. A VFD will give you full horsepower and balanced power. I would never consider a SPC unless it was the only thing available.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#3 ·
I would look at the Hitachi WJ200 series or the Delta VFD-M series. Both are easy to set up. Neither are the cheapest option, but you can find the manuals in English as opposed to Chinese.

You'd be looking for a 2.2 kW unit. As stated above, all will have fwd, reverse, and stop. Many have braking resistors installed so the motor stops quickly. For an E-stop, you would either use the stop button on the control pad, or you could install an auxiliary e-stop button.

Good luck with the project.
 
#5 ·
Hi Steve,
I'v e had several over the years and the one I like best is the GPD 403,It does all of the expected tricks and a lot more. One feature I always use is ramp up and ramp down speed control (from 1/10th of a second to 3 minutes of your set speed) If I'm doing stair balusters, for instance, at 1500 RPM and I've set my ramp-up time to 4 seconds, when I turn the switch to FORWARD the part will take 4 seconds to reach 1500 RPM. If I then turn the switch to reverse the lathe will ramp-down to zero (4 second) and automatically ramp-up in reverse (4 seconds).If I'm turning a heavy piece (like a table pedestal weighing around 150 lbs) I would set my 'ramp to' speeds to much longer than 4 seconds!
If you don't have a phase converter, a GPD 702 could work for you, as it will generate a true 3 phase from single phase 220.
Both of the units mentioned are analog, NOT digital. I want to be able to rev the lathe and feel the tenor of the piece of wood on it, and turn at the speed it tells me to.
Both of the units can also be fitted with a Remote Operators Station (mine are) so I can use the speed controls on other machines besides the lathes (table saw, band saw, bag//pneumatic sander, grinder, etc.
Both of these controls are older models. If interested you could set up an eBay search to familiarize yourself with them
Good luck!
Stephen Mines
 
#6 ·
It should be noted that in the past several years, the technology has come to the point where sensorless vector drives (such as the TECO L510 or the Hitachi mentioned above) have dropped in price to basically be in par with the older V/Hz only models (such as the TECO FM50 or the MagneTek). For an application like a lathe, they are preferred as they receive feedback from the motor and will maintain constant speed under load. The price difference is now just a few bucks (eg: $10 more for an L510 over the FM50). Just something to keep in mind.

Cheers,
Brad
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top