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

There is ALWAYS a way. I believe what Grizzly meant was that there was no
built-in way for THEM to upgrade your lathe or send you parts to upgrade it
yourself. As far as you upgrading it or getting someone else to upgrade it
is just a matter of time, money and ingenuity.

A larger motor is going to give you even more problems with clearance. It'll
stick out even further into your turning space IF you can even get another
motor to fit into their assembly. I'd be making another frame but making
it longer so that the motor that fits into it will be further away from the
headstock and much lower. So low, in fact, that as you swivel the headstock
the motor will actually move under the bed ways. You'll have to have a
longer belt and be limited a little in how much you can swivel the headstock
because you'll be limited by the belt hitting the bed ways as you do swivel.

You could also move the new motor out and up (instead of down as I describe
above) to gain clearance and not have the swivel movement problem. However,
you'd get terrible vibration with so much weight (of the motor) out and up
so far. More vibration that you already get with that lathe.

- Andrew


snipped
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

"Leslie Gossett" wrote in message k.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 Gosset

The Nova DVR would fit your needs for space and ease of carrying
downstairs. The DVR has a 16" swing, swivel head, 1 1/2 hp motor will
do just fine on 110-115 volts. 1 1/4" x 8" spindle threads. Electronic
variable speed, reverse all that in a 200 lb. package. You can build a
stand or buy one. Price about $1700.00
You can read more in this group
http://groups.msn.com/NovaOwners

"Leslie Gossett" wrote in message
.net...
snip
It really bothers me
that I can't find a way to upgrade my Grizzly to a better motor.
snip

Just a thought - have you considered geting more power out of your existing
motor?
You would need to talk to a specialist, but AFAIK you can have motors
rewound to produce more power from the same size.
You might though have problems with extra heat etc.
The upside is that if you reuse the existing chassis for the motor, it will
fit into the lathe without modification.

HTH
Dave R

"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

Well, heres the deal...

I see the advantages of running in reverse for sanding and hollowing. Power
sanding doesnt seem to be quite enough. I still find myself stopping the
lathe to hand sand in the reverse direction. For scraping, I see a definate
lack of power. But otherwise with gouges, skews, etc, there seems to be no
problem.

I dug up a new 3/4 hp, 56C, capacitor start, Leeson motor that was sitting
around doing nothing. I have managed to bolt it to the side of the
headstock. Tonight, armed with a step pulley and a few belts, I am going to
attempt to make this sucker work.
If it doesn't work out, so be it. I will start saving for a new lathe. I do
like the Nova DVR, or possibly others.
One thing I was wondering about the DVR is how it holds up to roughing
larger, square stock? One would think it might be hard on the motor
bearings, being direct drive. How has Nova overcome this?

Thanks for all your help

Leslie




"billh" wrote in message
. ..

"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

I haven't found the need to do it yet, but surely walking round to the
other side of the lathe and mounting the rest there, orientates the
tools the same way as running it in reverse would do.

The only down side is that you can't site the machine tight against a
wall, but if you're going to swing the head through 180 degrees, you'll
probably need to be able to stand well round to the end of it anyway.

A cheaper solution for that part of your problem than a new lathe I
would have thought.
--
Geoff Beale
Extract digit to email.


"Leslie Gossett" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Well, heres the deal...

I see the advantages of running in reverse for sanding and hollowing.
Power
sanding doesnt seem to be quite enough. I still find myself stopping
the
lathe to hand sand in the reverse direction. For scraping, I see a
definate
lack of power. But otherwise with gouges, skews, etc, there seems to
be no
problem.

Fair enough on the wish for reverse but I haven't found it to be necessarily
the magic bullet for a difficult piece of wood. If you are able to reverse,
either with your new motor or a new lathe, please be aware that the
faceplate or chuck tend to loosen rather than tighten due to sanding/turning
forces. If the faceplate is put on snuggly sanding is unlikely to cause a
problem but cutting forces can and I have been told it happens very quickly!

I would say the the answer to your question about the Nova DVR is that they
designed it with sturdy bearings in the headstock/motor to handle the
forces. A lot of people like the DVRs and they are not overly expensive.
Personally, I like having the headstock spindle and motor connected by a
belt for no really good reason other than one is not intimately connected to
the other for troubleshooting and repair purposes.

Good luck on your bigger motor project, hope it works well for you.

Billh

"Leslie Gossett" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Well, heres the deal...

I see the advantages of running in reverse for sanding and hollowing.
Power
sanding doesnt seem to be quite enough. I still find myself stopping the
lathe to hand sand in the reverse direction. For scraping, I see a
definate
lack of power. But otherwise with gouges, skews, etc, there seems to be no
problem.

I dug up a new 3/4 hp, 56C, capacitor start, Leeson motor that was sitting
around doing nothing. I have managed to bolt it to the side of the
headstock. Tonight, armed with a step pulley and a few belts, I am going
to
attempt to make this sucker work.
If it doesn't work out, so be it. I will start saving for a new lathe. I
do
like the Nova DVR, or possibly others.
One thing I was wondering about the DVR is how it holds up to roughing
larger, square stock? One would think it might be hard on the motor
bearings, being direct drive. How has Nova overcome this?

Thanks for all your help

Leslie




"billh" wrote in message
. ..

"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

Don't worry about DVR bearings there are 3 large sealed bearings,
2 in front 1 in the back

http://www.teknatool.com/products/La...ova%20_DVR.htm

a quote from the site above

"The motor is solid and heavily constructed, because it forms part of
the headstock. The bearing structure is a specially developed TRIMAX
TM bearing configuration, which provides a heavy-duty spindle."




On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 20:34:25 GMT, "Leslie Gossett"
wrote:

Well, heres the deal...

I see the advantages of running in reverse for sanding and hollowing. Power
sanding doesnt seem to be quite enough. I still find myself stopping the
lathe to hand sand in the reverse direction. For scraping, I see a definate
lack of power. But otherwise with gouges, skews, etc, there seems to be no
problem.

I dug up a new 3/4 hp, 56C, capacitor start, Leeson motor that was sitting
around doing nothing. I have managed to bolt it to the side of the
headstock. Tonight, armed with a step pulley and a few belts, I am going to
attempt to make this sucker work.
If it doesn't work out, so be it. I will start saving for a new lathe. I do
like the Nova DVR, or possibly others.
One thing I was wondering about the DVR is how it holds up to roughing
larger, square stock? One would think it might be hard on the motor
bearings, being direct drive. How has Nova overcome this?

Thanks for all your help

Leslie




"billh" wrote in message
...

"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

Apologies to the group for posting this cr*p. Must try to avoid
posting after imbibing in future!!!

--
Geoff Beale
Extract digit to email.

"Geoff Beale" wrote in message
...
but surely walking round to the
other side of the lathe and mounting the rest there, orientates the
tools the same way as running it in reverse would do.

Why? We've already discussed special relativity as regards sanding. Moving
the paper in the opposite direction relative to the material is not the same
as moving the material in the opposite direction relative to the paper.

Further, in a thread on use of tools with tangs, we delved into quantum
mechanics, discovering that Newtonian physics do not apply to turning
because, for instance a 10" diameter piece rotating at 300 RPM under
electric power has greater angular velocity (creating greater risk of
bending the tang) than the same diameter piece rotating at 300 RPM under the
power of an apprentice

One other posting which would cause even Werner some uncertainty was the
statement that bodgers had been making bowls in the woods _before_ the
advent of bowl gouges!

After reading these, I know I felt a second glass was warranted!

"Geoff Beale" wrote in message
...
Apologies to the group for posting this cr*p. Must try to avoid
posting after imbibing in future!!!

--
Geoff Beale
Extract digit to email.

"Geoff Beale" wrote in message
...
but surely walking round to the
other side of the lathe and mounting the rest there, orientates the
tools the same way as running it in reverse would do.

George, you are falling behind. At rcw we are now into the _general
theory! Moving sandpaper in reverse at the speed of dark messes up
everything, but embellishing hides the results. Unlike you & Werner, I'm
quite certain of this. Arch

Fortiter,

Well, heres a progress report on the motor upgrade on the Grizzly G5979
Lathe:

I bolted a piece of heavy unistrut to the lower half of the headstock where
the casting was heavier. I used a sliding/tilting motor mount that I had
laying around bolted between the unistrut and motor. I had a piece of 1/2"
power-twist belt that was long enough, but it is too wide to get the full
range of the Reeves driven pulley.

I rewired the switch and motor using heavier guage wire and added a heavy
toggle switch to reverse the rotation.

After a few test runs, it seems to work pretty well. There is ample power,
and the reverse works nicely. There is still room for improvement in the
mechanics of the setup.

I have a 3/8 power-twist belt arriving today. Also arriving today will be a
shaft coupling, keyed shafting and a shaft collar to extend the motor shaft
to accept the Reeves driver pulley. I feel this would be a better setup then
a step pulley and having to shift and tilt the motor everytime I need to
change the speed range. The motor mount can then be mounted rigid. I may
need to add a bearing on the end of the shaft for stability. I will have to
modify or make a belt guard to fit the new arrangement.

So far it has been a trying project. On several occaisions I nearly chucked
the who thing and put the old motor back on.

Last weekend I went to a Woodcraft store and saw the Nova DVR and a couple
of Delta lathes that look good too. Time to start saving my money. Even if
the lathe modification is a success, I will have to get me one of those
high-priced, new fangled machines in the near future!

Is it just me, or does Woodcraft have higher prices on their tools then
Rockler and Craft Supplies? Their turning tools seemed quite a bit higher
then I am use to paying. I did pick up some bowl blanks that were very
reasonable.

Thanks for all your help and comments.

Ms. Leslie Gossett




"Walt & Jenne Ahlgrim" wrote in message
...
Don't worry about DVR bearings there are 3 large sealed bearings,
2 in front 1 in the back

http://www.teknatool.com/products/La...ova%20_DVR.htm

a quote from the site above

"The motor is solid and heavily constructed, because it forms part of
the headstock. The bearing structure is a specially developed TRIMAX
TM bearing configuration, which provides a heavy-duty spindle."




On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 20:34:25 GMT, "Leslie Gossett"
wrote:

Well, heres the deal...

I see the advantages of running in reverse for sanding and hollowing.
Power
sanding doesnt seem to be quite enough. I still find myself stopping the
lathe to hand sand in the reverse direction. For scraping, I see a
definate
lack of power. But otherwise with gouges, skews, etc, there seems to be
no
problem.

I dug up a new 3/4 hp, 56C, capacitor start, Leeson motor that was
sitting
around doing nothing. I have managed to bolt it to the side of the
headstock. Tonight, armed with a step pulley and a few belts, I am going
to
attempt to make this sucker work.
If it doesn't work out, so be it. I will start saving for a new lathe. I
do
like the Nova DVR, or possibly others.
One thing I was wondering about the DVR is how it holds up to roughing
larger, square stock? One would think it might be hard on the motor
bearings, being direct drive. How has Nova overcome this?

Thanks for all your help

Leslie




"billh" wrote in message
...

"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