Delta Midi Variable Speed Upgrade?

[scotti158]

Hi everyone, is the Variable Speed Upgrade sold by PSI for the Delta Midi Lathe worth it or should I save my $

 

[leehljp]

Hi everyone, is the Variable Speed Upgrade sold by PSI for the Delta Midi Lathe worth it or should I save my $

I have the PSI unit on my Rikon and really like it. Makes all the difference in the world for me. I hate changing belt speeds and I do change speeds with the controller 5 or 6 times per blank when experimenting.

One note - someone else mentioned in the past day or two - that their PSI unit works and then doesn't work, then works and doesn't. I don't know what the problem is, but I have to tap the switch unit lightly with a screwdriver at times to make it work. Sometimes it decides it wants to speed up or slow down on its own.

It works fine if I use it for 10 to 15 minutes and cut it off; use it again and then off. But if I use it continuously for an hour or so, then I start having speed problems.

 

[dgscott]

I've had the circuit boards replaced on my PSI VS control box once already, and the lathe still cuts out on me on a regular basis. Doesn't seem to matter whether I'm turning pens or bowl blanks. I think it just isn't made for continuous use. I tend to spend a day at a time turning (since I have to work for a living) and Saturdays and Sundays are dedicated to shop time. I find it frustrating to have to stop every 20-25 minutes because the motor died, then have to wait another 5-10 minutes before I can start it again. The reset button on the back of the controller box doesn't do a thing.

To be fair, it could just be me -- I tend to attract faulty merchandise in the same way that velcro picks up lint.

Anyway, that's my experience for what it's worth.
Doug

 

[leehljp]

I've had the circuit boards replaced on my PSI VS control box once already, and the lathe still cuts out on me on a regular basis. Doesn't seem to matter whether I'm turning pens or bowl blanks. I think it just isn't made for continuous use. I tend to spend a day at a time turning (since I have to work for a living) and Saturdays and Sundays are dedicated to shop time. I find it frustrating to have to stop every 20-25 minutes because the motor died, then have to wait another 5-10 minutes before I can start it again. The reset button on the back of the controller box doesn't do a thing.

To be fair, it could just be me -- I tend to attract faulty merchandise in the same way that velcro picks up lint.

Anyway, that's my experience for what it's worth.
Doug

Doug, It isn't you, it is the unit. Short usage and it seems to work; continuous, and it quits. I think the problem is in the controller/switch unit.

BUT I KNOW That I like VS!

 

[dgscott]

I agree -- it's good for short bursts, but that's about it.

 

[scotti158]

Thanks for the input, I think I'll save my money for a new VS lathe instead. Any suggestions?