Questions about Clausing Colchester 13 lathe

[Firebrick43]

Make sure you have a good belt on the oil pump. Its a crappy round belt that falls apart way to easy. I replaced it with an appropriate sized notched v belt with good results. I will have to look at the size. Its under the headstock on the side at ground level. The bearings are special spring loaded jobbies, not sure if they are available any more. I use TPU to print way wipers. They are very nice lathes to operate. One of the better lathes to thread on as well.

 

[FOMOGO]

Should be an easy move, just take your time, and that's a great machine.

 

[Defender92]

It’s done! Scary but not as bad as I thought it could be. By some miracle a crew was there installing a new car lift with a fork lift. I’d still be trying to load it now if not for that. Getting it off the trailer wasn’t too bad. As usual my wife is in the pool while I did it alone.

Now to clean it and order a phase converter. I’m looking at the Phase-o-Matic 4-8 hp. Unless someone can tell me it’s not good.

It appears I have a taper attachment! Unless it comes standard.

Also, every pot hole I hit tools poured out of the crevices. Bonus!

Thanks for all the help! This forum is great

 

[Janderso]

A taper attachment.?
That is the first one I’ve seen on these lathes.
You kind of suck sir!

 

[woodchucker]

I like the rotary phase converter better. full power, and that's it.

 

[mksj]

You might take a picture of the internals of the control box, and also the motor spec. plate. If it is a 3 Hp motor a VFD may be a less expensive option, unless you have other 3 phase equipment that needs an RPC. I have a copy of that lathe (ERL-1340) which is made by SunMaster.

 

[Janderso]

It's probably 5 hp.
Mine's a 7 hp unit and I don't have that fancy box.

 

[Defender92]

You might take a picture of the internals of the control box, and also the motor spec. plate. If it is a 3 Hp motor a VFD may be a less expensive option, unless you have other 3 phase equipment that needs an RPC. I have a copy of that lathe (ERL-1340) which is made by SunMaster.

I will take a photo in a few minutes. It looks like it needs a special triangle shape key to open the box.

I can get a 4-8hp phase-o-matic for $337. I’m not sure on the difference between phase converters and VFDs. I need to research it I guess. But I’m going to get something soon because I want to start using this.

 

[Defender92]

It's probably 5 hp.
Mine's a 7 hp unit and I don't have that fancy box.

Oh yeah I’m almost positive it’s 5hp. I will look at the motor to verify.

 

[woodchucker]

I will take a photo in a few minutes. It looks like it needs a special triangle shape key to open the box.

I can get a 4-8hp phase-o-matic for $337. I’m not sure on the difference between phase converters and VFDs. I need to research it I guess. But I’m going to get something soon because I want to start using this.

There are 2 types of phase converters, Rotary and Static. You are referring to a static, which gives you half the power of the rated label.
A rotary can power multiple machines, a static cannot.
A vfd also powers one machine only. The VFD gives you full power, and allows you to control the speed of the motor, not a big deal on your machine. I believe the Colchester has the Reeves drive that the Clausing has.. I could be wrong, but it makes your speed variable throughout.
The rotary can be loud, or a good one can be quiet. The VFD is fully electronic, the static phase converter is mostly capacitors.