I received a 1460 lathe that had been in a fire and in the process of fixing it up. Most of the lathe is in good shape.  I sand blasted it and repainted it and it looks like new.   I damaged the head spindle and purchased a replacement on ebay.  I need to purchase a pulley, but would like to convert it to a variable speed in the process.  Can anyone give any advice and recommendations in doing this.  Is there a conversion kit out there that would be reasonably priced?

You might ask Ken about this-http://www.thepatriotwoodworker.com/forum/topics/delta-1460-lathe-for-sale

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

+1 on Checking with Ken. I think he would be a great resource.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Steve,

There are several ways of doing variable speed on these lathes.

The original pulleys would give you 4 speeds.

Adding a lineshaft assembly will give you 16 speeds.

If you are using a phase converter to run a 3 phase motor a variable frequency drive will give infinate speed control.

You could also adapt a Reeves Drive pulley set up which would give infinate speed control using a single phase motor.

This one is for a Delta scroll saw.

As far as conversion kits, I myself have never looked for one. The lineshaft parts do occasionally show up on ebay, the variable speed scroll saw drive shown above is listed on ebay now (Buy It Now $225.00) 

I use the lineshaft setup myself.

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

Thanks guys for the advice.  I left a note for Ken and waiting to hear back from him.  I liked seeing the different options you presented Larry.  I really want an infinite speed control. I have heard some maintenance issues and early wear with the Reese Drive pulley system.  So, I am OK without a conversion kit.  Can anyone give me an idea approximately what it would cost and what I would need to do an infinite speed control setup?  Is the 3 phase motor with the variable frequency drive the best way to go to achieve infinite speed control?  Will I need to obtain a pulley like was on the lathe to begin with even though I will only need a single pulley for the infinite speed control?

Steve,

3 phase motors can be found pretty inexpensively, I've seen them listed for as little as $25.00 Buy It Now on ebay.

The VFD's that I've looked at range from about $150.00- $325.00 .

As to the pulley it may be necessary to go with the original type pulley due to the diameter of the spindle.

 

Larry