Hello and thanks for all the material you posters put up for us
lurkers.

This is the good part: I just purchased a Powermatic 90 with a 1hp 3
phase motor with almost all the accessories in the 1966 catalog
including the outboard freestanding tool rest for $125.

This is the not so good part, I only have 220 single phase in my shop.
It has been suggested that I not buy a new motor but use a VFD. I
would like to know what the group's experience is, good or bad with
this type of set up.

Part II

I have seen reference to risers for the head/tail stock to take it to
a 20" swing, it is 12" now. They would be used with a banjo from a 20"
lathe. Any leads on a supplier, things to watch out for or
suggestions ?

Thanks in advance,

Gerald

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but
because of those who look on and do nothing."

Albert Einstein

On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 21:03:40 -0700 (PDT), GDStutts
wrote:

Just wondering, since you have the outboard turning stand, why raise the lathe?

Hello and thanks for all the material you posters put up for us
lurkers.

This is the good part: I just purchased a Powermatic 90 with a 1hp 3
phase motor with almost all the accessories in the 1966 catalog
including the outboard freestanding tool rest for $125.

This is the not so good part, I only have 220 single phase in my shop.
It has been suggested that I not buy a new motor but use a VFD. I
would like to know what the group's experience is, good or bad with
this type of set up.

Part II

I have seen reference to risers for the head/tail stock to take it to
a 20" swing, it is 12" now. They would be used with a banjo from a 20"
lathe. Any leads on a supplier, things to watch out for or
suggestions ?

Thanks in advance,

Gerald

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but
because of those who look on and do nothing."

Albert Einstein


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

since you have the outboard turning stand, why raise the lathe?


Sometimes its just better to use the tailstock on the big stuff.

Here is the website of a guy that built his own riser for an older
Powermatic lathe.
http://www.billswoodcreations.com/turn-lathe-2.html


This page shows the design of such a riser block and the matching
tailstock riser.
http://www.thecooltool.com/files/dateien_222.pdf

If you did a more extensive internet search you might find a riser
block set for sale or maybe someone that will build you one.


Ted J
thelatentlog.com

I'd worry about increasing the throw from 12 to 20 inches - the increase in
loads is very significant - I have a larger lathe that can turn over 40
inches between centers - it is a LOT heavier than a 12 inch lathe - you are
probably putting your body at some risk from flying pieces.

as for VFD - yes, go for it, that's what all the $$$ lathes use now - I have
a DELTA brand (a taiwan company, not the US delta) but any of the VFDs that
will handle your horsepower will be fine - get a 2 hp VFD, you can try on
the machinery newsgroup, a guy named Igor usually has some, and there's
Ebay - the only ones I have right now are 440V.
"GDStutts" wrote in message
...
Hello and thanks for all the material you posters put up for us
lurkers.

This is the good part: I just purchased a Powermatic 90 with a 1hp 3
phase motor with almost all the accessories in the 1966 catalog
including the outboard freestanding tool rest for $125.

This is the not so good part, I only have 220 single phase in my shop.
It has been suggested that I not buy a new motor but use a VFD. I
would like to know what the group's experience is, good or bad with
this type of set up.

Part II

I have seen reference to risers for the head/tail stock to take it to
a 20" swing, it is 12" now. They would be used with a banjo from a 20"
lathe. Any leads on a supplier, things to watch out for or
suggestions ?

Thanks in advance,

Gerald

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but
because of those who look on and do nothing."

Albert Einstein

My Powermatic 3520 has a three phase 2 hp motor with a VFD converter. I
love it. I gives full tork at all speeds and the variable speed at the turn
of a knob will be such a pleasure that you will never go back!
Paul Gilbert
"Bill Noble" wrote in message
...
I'd worry about increasing the throw from 12 to 20 inches - the increase
in loads is very significant - I have a larger lathe that can turn over 40
inches between centers - it is a LOT heavier than a 12 inch lathe - you
are probably putting your body at some risk from flying pieces.

as for VFD - yes, go for it, that's what all the $$$ lathes use now - I
have a DELTA brand (a taiwan company, not the US delta) but any of the
VFDs that will handle your horsepower will be fine - get a 2 hp VFD, you
can try on the machinery newsgroup, a guy named Igor usually has some, and
there's Ebay - the only ones I have right now are 440V.
"GDStutts" wrote in message
...
Hello and thanks for all the material you posters put up for us
lurkers.

This is the good part: I just purchased a Powermatic 90 with a 1hp 3
phase motor with almost all the accessories in the 1966 catalog
including the outboard freestanding tool rest for $125.

This is the not so good part, I only have 220 single phase in my shop.
It has been suggested that I not buy a new motor but use a VFD. I
would like to know what the group's experience is, good or bad with
this type of set up.

Part II

I have seen reference to risers for the head/tail stock to take it to
a 20" swing, it is 12" now. They would be used with a banjo from a 20"
lathe. Any leads on a supplier, things to watch out for or
suggestions ?

Thanks in advance,

Gerald

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but
because of those who look on and do nothing."

Albert Einstein