Advantages of a drum switch over a standard toggle?

calstar

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I have an Atlas 12x36 lathe with the stock toggle on/off switch. Also have a drum switch taken off another machine I have. Would someone kindly explain why most folks feel the drum to be superior. Since the Atlas has a threaded spindle the drum won't be used to reverse the lathe. Motor on both machines is 110v. thanks, Brian
 
With collets you can reverse it, just not using the chuck.


Bernie
 
For motors larger than 1HP go with the drum switch because it handles the surge load better. For low voltage applications like controlling a VFD a good toggle switch is fine. I'm using two NKK toggle switches to control my VFD; one is for rotation and the other for power.
 
when using a tool post grinder , one wud normally run the spindle in reverse ......

when cutting a thread TO A SHOULDER , ,it is MUCH simpler to run the spindle in reverse & feed toward the tailstock, thereby cutting AWAY from the shoulder ,particularly internal threading where visibility is challenged .........lightly bumping the chuck to register & w/ the lite thread cuts , & slo speeds , the problem of chuck unscrewing simply evaporates....screw on chucks & reverse spindle motion when needed, were used for near 150 years ...perhaps the fudge factor was they were used by people who knew what they were doing ( or were properly instructed while in their qpprenticeships )
best wishes
doc
 
Another case is if you happen to be cutting a metric thread; slow speed reversal is required. (can't use the threading dial)
MS
 
In the big picture, drum switches can be rated to handle more current for one thing, and another is the number of "poles", or actual separate switches inside. I don't think I have seen a triple pole single or double throw toggle. Not saying they don't exist, but I just haven't seen them, but in drum switches, the extra pole switching is simple as stacking more wafers in and adding contacts.

One other thing just crossed my mind. Some double throw switches have a safety feature to prevent flipping across the off position and going straight from forward to reverse. Not all, but a really good idea. That's a feature I haven't seen on a toggle switch either. I have seen it on a few drum switches though.

All things considered, if you find a switch rated for the load you have, and it has the poles and throws you need, then the only thing I can think of MIGHT be duty rating. I would expect a drum switch to outlive several toggle switches.
 
Brian, could you please show an image, and provide a description, of the drum switch you are talking about? I have the same lathe and am wondering where you would mount it.
 
Although uncommon, I have and use 3PST toggle switches rated for 250vac @ 15A.
I use them on small table top 3 phase meat grinders with <3/4 hp motors.

no matter what method you use, toggle or drum, the effect is the very same- power is switched on and off
as long as the switch meets or exceeds the circuit requirements, both will provide the exact same function.
 
One other thing just crossed my mind. Some double throw switches have a safety feature to prevent flipping across the off position and going straight from forward to reverse. Not all, but a really good idea. That's a feature I haven't seen on a toggle switch either. I have seen it on a few drum switches though.
Toggle switches of this type do exist ... or at least one does:
http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/Products...Controls/Toggles/HeavyDutyHesitationSwitches/
https://www.amazon.com/Eaton-7992K10-Hesitation-Toggle-Contacts/dp/B005T6B3JM
I'll agree with you, though, that they're pretty scarce. I needed one several years ago, and it took me a while to even come up with the correct terminology. I bought the "bat handle" style (shown on the left on the Eaton page). The current Amazon price is $31.49, but I'm pretty sure I paid a lot more back then.

Other than this minor detail, I agree with everything else posted here. I've since installed a Dayton drum switch on another tool, and just love swinging that big red knob. It's not something you're going to accidentally bump and start the machine.

Albert - here's a link to Grainger's drum switches:
https://www.grainger.com/category/drum-switches/motor-controls/electrical/ecatalog/N-qkp
I'm pretty sure I got the 2X441.
 
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