Lathe question

[alamocdc]

I may have an opportunity to pick up a Powermatic Model 90 at a very reasonable price, but if memory serves, they are 220v three phase. I think I have 220 in the shop, but not three phase. How hard would it be to convert this lathe to 110v?

 

[Fred in NC]

My model 90 runs on 220, with a 1-1/2 HP motor. That is the minimum size motor I would use in it.

A 110 V motor that size will draw about 10 AMPS. Due to the startup surge, I would use a 20 A circuit for it.

The motor is relatively easy to replace if you find one of the proper size and with the proper shaft diameter.

The other alternative is to get an inverter to change the electricity to 3 phase. They can run a few hundred dollars for that size, and usually need 220 V to feed them (excepting for the very small sized motors, 1 HP or less).

 

[woodman928]

My model 90 is single phase. Sometimes Grizzly has phase converters on sale that will handle that size. I used them on my machines with no problems.

 

[Dario]

I also read that the inverter to 3 Phase is a bit noisy. You might want to check on that before investing on one.