Let's See Your Lathe

[SteveG]

(08-15-2017, 07:44 AM)Pete O Wrote: Nice looking lathe, new mill and it sounds like the phase-converter build has taken a new direction. I say let the other stuff wait.

Phase converter is still the same config, but after struggling for quite a while with a starting issue on the lathe I finally found it was caused by the hacked together step up transformer I was using (made from an old welding transformer). Basically the 415v output was dropping to 240v under high current.
Bit the bullet and parted with a fair few dollars to get a proper 5KVA transformer.
Hooked it up tonight in place of the old one, and the lathe now starts perfectly on the low speed winding (3hp). Its still not starting directly on the high speed winding (5hp), but I can start it initially on low speed then flick the switch to high speed once its spinning.

The RPC still needs some tuning, but at least its actually working now. The next bottleneck will be that I'm still running it off a 15A circuit as my electrician hasn't installed the new 32A circuit yet. I'm getting close to 10A draw on that circuit with the lathe running but not cutting, so I reckon a decent cut is going to trip the breaker.

The higher priority jobs include pre-spring gardening tasks for the financial controller, and replacing the head gasket on my old landrover. The importance of the first item is obvious, but the significance of the landrover is its our main camping/towing vehicle. Again, its about keeping the financial controller happy

Steve