"Leslie Gossett" wrote in message
.net...
About 6 months ago I purchased a very slightly used grizzly 12" x 36"
G5979
lathe. Its a decent machine. But it is lacking power (1/2 hp) and can't
run
in reverse. The long motor shaft, and the way it is mounted makes it
almost
impossible to upgrade without some major mods to the headstock. The way
the
motor is mounted also limits the swing when using a shallow face plate
with
stock over 8" diameter. If it weren't for the motor, I would have nothing
to
complain about.

Alas, I find myself searching for alternatives. The easiest but most
expensive one is to buy a new lathe. It needs be one more geared to
turning
bowls. One with a swing over bed of at least 14". It needs to have a
swivel
headstock for outboard turning of larger bowls. Variable speed, reversing
and at least 1 hp motor. There are many lathes out there that will suit me
quite well. Finding one is no problem. Affording it is a matter of saving
my
money and staying out of Rockler for a while.
Weight and size is a is a real problem. It has to be brought down a very
narrow stairway with a sharp 90 degree turn into the basement. It will
have
to be done in many pieces. OK, I can deal with that, I guess. I don't want
a
monster machine that will create a major project every time I have to move
it either across the floor or to another home.

Getting a new lathe really isnt that much of a problem. It really bothers
me
that I can't find a way to upgrade my Grizzly to a better motor. I have
written to Grizzly about my delima, and their response was rather
negative:
"There is nothing you can do to upgrade the G5979". So I ask all of you
that
are familiar with this lathe and all of the others that are identical to
it.
Do you agree with Grizzly's response? Do you know of any way to retrofit a
slightly larger motor, that can be reversed?
Either AC, or DC. I know some single phase AC motors can run in reverse.
DC
is a no brainer. Any ideas out there? Has anyone modified this lathe
before?

Ideas are appreciated

Thanks in advanced

Leslie Gossett





I went through the same dilema with a lathe similar to your Grizzly. I
bought a bigger motor and mounted it differently and used a system of step
pulleys to set the speed. I also wanted to get a lower minimum speed for
bigger blanks. To make a long story short, the system was cumbersome but I
did have a lower speed and more power. Then the other shortcomings of the
lathe became apparent; it just wasn't made for bigger stuff. So I wasted
time and money which I should have put towards a better lathe in all
respects in the first place. I bought a big General variable-speed.

Why are you so keen on being able to reverse the rotation?

Billh