just bought an optimum 210x400 lathe and now wishing I hadn't. it takes 20 minutes to take the cover off, loosen the adjuster and move the belt. plus I have to change gears to change feed rate ( another pain). and worse it only travels in one direction. I picked up a small 3 phase motor and VFD to control spindle speed but need advice on the best way to make the lead screw variable and reversible. I do not plan to do any threading so it doesn't matter what rate it's at, Just need to make it so I can get a good finish. I was thinking of maybe a zero-max drive but they are huge. Any better ideas?
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Help moding optimum lathe
- Thread starter sundown57
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- Jun 7, 2013
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- 10,077
Sounds like the opposite of optimum ---
lol, yup that's just what it is
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- Feb 2, 2013
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A small motor on the leadscrew could be very useful for what you are intending, modification will be a prerequisite.
The 3 phase motor and VFD is a great way to control spindle speeds and is not a difficult task .
You may wish to go with a motor larger than the stock motor and swap to a smaller drive pulley to retain low spindle speed torque
I have had great luck with inexpensive VFD’s , you may have the same luck
i’d be happy to assist, if you need direction
The 3 phase motor and VFD is a great way to control spindle speeds and is not a difficult task .
You may wish to go with a motor larger than the stock motor and swap to a smaller drive pulley to retain low spindle speed torque
I have had great luck with inexpensive VFD’s , you may have the same luck
i’d be happy to assist, if you need direction
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2015
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- 11,274
I've seen people attach windshield wiper motors to the right hand end of the leadscrew and a variable dc power supply to adjust the speed.
Just add a DPDT switch for reversing and you're in business
-Mark
Just add a DPDT switch for reversing and you're in business
-Mark
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2014
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- 418
You need an electronic lead screw. 
www.hobby-machinist.com
electronic lead screw
I'm wondering what is state of the art for electronic lead screws these days and if anyone has advise based on implementing on on an import lathe?
www.hobby-machinist.com
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- Feb 2, 2013
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- 3,625
A stepper ,a pulse generator, and a stepper controller is another possibility
here is a thread i made awhile back
www.hobby-machinist.com
here is a thread i made awhile back
Stepper Motor Drivers with a Pulse Generator
Hi guys, i was messing around in the shop last week. i made a couple videos of me playing with stepper motor drivers and pulse generators. i took a small bipolar stepper motor and controlled this motor with 2 different stepper drivers. i did the experiments to make comparisons between the 2...
www.hobby-machinist.com