- Joined
- Apr 14, 2014
- Messages
- 3,183
I would agree. I have a static converter on my 2 hp Sheldon 13" lathe. It has a speed range from 60 to 2,200 rpm. I often cut mild steel with HSS tooling at a depth of .125" and have on occasions gone as deep as .187" when I'm in a hurry. I've never had the motor even slow down let alone stall. I have had the belts slip if I really get carried away.A TV lawyer might say “asked and answered.” I tell you, my 3HP lathe is on a static phase converter, which also works the Bridgeport mill, the Kalamazoo 9”x16” horizontal saw and the Jet vertical bandsaw. I cut metal a lot, and have NEVER encountered a lack of power in any operation, nor even heard the slightest audible change in power. Anything near any power limit is preceded with an incredible amount of blue hot flying chips that are too uncomfortable for me to press on harder. The tools seem to me to limit usable power before the phase converter does.
I think this loss of power point is highly overrated, at least for my reasonably aggressive use of the equipment.
I have on occasion cut 6061 aluminum at a depth of .250 just to see if it was possible. The lathe doesn't complain, but it seems like it's beyond the practical limit. It seems safer and more practical to limit it to .125" or less