Interest in Variable Speed Retrofit of your current lathe?

[mscheuber]

Hi,
I'm curious as to if there is any interest in the ability to retrofit your existing lathe or drill press with an electronically controlled variable speed motor? It's something I've been playing with, and when I mentioned it at my local shop, several people seemed interested. What are the forum's thoughts on this?

- Mark

 

[mscheuber]

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[Fibonacci]

There are a few kits available to do that.

They seem popular.

 

[mscheuber]

There are a few kits available to do that.

They seem popular.

Thanks Fibonacci! The only ones I could find were similar to this: Review: PSI Variable Speed Midi Lathe Conversion Kit - by Chris Wright @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community

This is a DC motor with a potentiometer on it, and still requires belts being changed. It's good but not great. If you have links I'd love to see them. I was proposing something quite a bit more robust but it would be a lot more than $99.00. Full 3-phase motor support, but it would change the lathe to 220V. Trying to get a feel for if it's worth it, or if people care.

- Mark

 

[GoatRider]

I might be interested in a kit for a Taig micro lathe.