11 minutes ago, Artie said:

The finer details of 220 volts is that it is exactly double that of 110 volts! (I just crack myself up sometimes). The benefit of this is that the amperage is exactly 1/2 at 220 volts compared to 110 volts (assuming the load is convertible. Applying 220 volts to a 110 volt machine usually produces a small fireworks show). Main advantage for a small home shop is smaller wire, but you lose an extra spot in the breaker panel. The larger the horsepower the better benefit in running at the highest available voltage.  

It tickles twice as good also! 

Yes applying 220 volts to a 110 volt motor lets the "Magic Smoke" out real quick! DAMHIKT  

Let us know the final choice!

You can run 110 volts into a VFD and run a 220 volt three phase induction motor. The VFD cost around $120, not sure what a motor cost.

7 hours ago, Artie said:

but you lose an extra spot in the breaker panel.

My neighbor had this problem, they doubled up circuits to the breaker box.  THEN in trying to force a AC compressor to run they went straight to the box and overloaded it.  Set it on fire, melted it to slag.  He put the fire out with?  BEER, yes folks drunk people do crazy stuff.

 

Since we like pictures here is the aftermath of insanity squared.  We went and got a new box and breakers from the borg and starting at 2030 till 2300 I worked steady at install and rewiring every one of those circuits.  Was my first time doing a breaker box entirely by myself.  Had done this with my Grandfather, my Dad and a friend but this, yeah I left the drunken one out of this equation.  Not to say I didn't have a few AFTER it all worked.

 

@Artie even passed inspection by the electrician he had drop by few days later.    

 

 

Lew, I have a rather strange idea.  If there is a machine shop nearby, can they bore it and insert a piece of other metal to take the stress from the shaft to the pulley?  Ream it and insert some sort of sleeve.  Maybe, an auto engine repair shop?

 

 

58 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

Lew, I have a rather strange idea.  If there is a machine shop nearby, can they bore it and insert a piece of other metal to take the stress from the shaft to the pulley?  Ream it and insert some sort of sleeve.  Maybe, an auto engine repair shop?

 

 

Steve look up some of Billy (Bill) Boehme's posts on doing a conversion on this lathe. He has tried doing it himself and I can tell you if you go to a machine shop unless it is a very valuable machine or you know someone the wallet just will not stand it. I do not know but my guess that that kind of machine shop work would be well over 500.

 

I bought a used Ringmaster from the woodworkers widow and had to fit it to my Jet . So I had a idea to get a machine shop to do the work. Just the labor wa over 250. I sent it back to manufacturer and they did the work and a upgrade , plus a MT mandrel with screw for attaching 1/2 inch blank all for 110. A new Ringmaster does run about 800.

I have no knowledge of these machines, but wondered if this may be cheaper than purchasing another machine.  It may also be a way to salvage the machine.  It seems such a waste to toss a great machine which costs a bunch of money.  And, spend that much more or even more money to replace it.  

 

I know that Gene submitted the idea of a Shopsmith as a tease, but for Lew's purpose, Shopsmith would not fit the requirements.  The old mechanical system starts at 750 rpm.  The new DVR powerpro head starts about 100 rpm which will be more suitable to turning bowls.  And, that is terribly expensive.  Just saying for those who are not familiar with the product.  It's a great reliable machine, but I wish it started slower.  There is an adapter to fit the older models, but then you loose length of spindles.  I don't know how much room it takes to install and it costs a few hundred dollars.  So, for those of you who turn at lower speeds, SS is not a satisfactory answer.  

 

12 minutes ago, Gerald said:

I do not know but my guess that that kind of machine shop work would be well over 500.

This is where some horse trading would come in handy.  I do quite a bit of oddball jobs at work like this.

On 9/30/2019 at 7:57 AM, Larry Buskirk said:

Billy,

I would agree on the later machines, but what's your opinion of something on this order? 

 

As to restoring/modding the machines I feel I can get better built machines for less money.

Sure it takes some time to do the work, but I feel I make up the difference by getting more machines for my bucks.

I guess it all depends if you want immediate satisfaction, and how full your wallet is. Mine's almost always running on empty.

I have a little bit of experience turning on some old Delta lathes that look like that one.  It's basically a lightweight spindle lathe made for hobby woodworkers.

 

Some people are seriously into restoring old machines so that they can show them off to others who are also seriously into that activity ... it's not too different than ... say woodturners showing each other what they made from a half rotted piece of old wood fished out of a culvert.

 

I probably wouldn't mind restoring a machine that was a rare classic of some value, but those old Delta lathes were just low cost lathes and you can find them in flea markets everywhere.

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by Billy B

Well now, I asked and got told.

8 hours ago, Billy B said:

Some people are seriously into restoring old machines so that they can show them off to others who are also seriously into that activity ... it's not too different than ... say woodturners showing each other what they made from a half rotted piece of old wood fished out of a culvert.

For me it's more a matter of economics, I simply can't afford to go out and buy the "latest, and greatest" machines.

 

And as you stated in an earlier post redoing the old machines can be a hobby in itself.

And yes, you could compare some of the machines I've redone to a "half rotted piece of wood".

They were little more than parts machines when I acquired them. Some of them ended up Resto-Modded due to the condition they were found in, missing/broken parts, etc.. The serious restorers frown on these machines. I looked at them as a challenge.

 

I also have a couple of rather rare machines that are in remarkable shape for their age.

These machines I will simply clean up, do the required maintenance and enjoy using.

 

....I probably paid too much for my Delta-Milwaukee badged 11" lathe...$25.00.

 

14 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

 

I also have a couple of rather rare machines that are in remarkable shape for their age.

If taken care of many machine will last a very long time.  Even if it wasn't at first, once you restore one you move forward with good maintenance and care.   Makes a big difference.  These days though the line of thinking is this is junk, I need a new one.