Reckon I can turn pens on this???

[TowMater]

1971 Powermatic 90 Gap Bed Lathe 700lbs of serious iron.

Makes the old HF look pretty puny by comparison.

The previous owner took the 3 phase motor off and installed a 3/4HP 110/220 motor currently wired for 110.

I'll probably slide it off that mobile base and leave it set close to the wall there as I don't have any blanks big enough to require it have alot of clearance away from the wall just yet.

Pondering having the boys at the shop whip me up a VFD so I can mount that 3 phase motor back on there.

 

[GaryMadore]

Jumpin' Jehosephat! What IS that thing? And, why is there a switching lever from a train yard mounted on the front of it?

Hey, that's a cute li'l mini lathe just to the left of your new behemoth...

Cheers!

Gary

 

[woodman928]

Alright I got one just like it :good:
Jay

 

[JeffinWIS]

that's a dandy! I got one too...about the same vintage, green with the racing stripe, but the speed dial is slightly different. Have fun with that beast

 

[CaptG]

Thats for turning those credit card mini pens, right?

 

[wpenm]

Was that on Craigslist recently? If it is the same one, I guess I should have went after it. Good deal. Have fun with it.

 

[TowMater]

Yes, it was originally listed at $800.00.

I paid considerably less than that as I didn't have even half of that in my tool fund, had to borrow a bit from the house fund, but not much.

 

[spiritwoodturner]

That's purdy. I like the color a lot more than my Mustard Monster! Gotta love Powermatic, for so many reasons. Brute force and bulk rank right up there, but you'll find other reasons to love that hulk. Until you have to move it again...and you're 10 years older.

Have fun, love to know what that switcher is on the front. Speed?

Dale

 

[its_virgil]

I have that same lathe but a 1975 year model. You can turn pens on it. I turned pens on mine for two years before I purchased my jet mini. Paid $100 for mine at a school auction of surplus equipment.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[markgum]

I don't want you to get hurt with that monster, so ship it to me and I'll make sure it works and is safe to operate.... :biggrin:
just lookin out for your well being.
congrats on a GREAT Find

 

[thewishman]

I don't want you to get hurt with that monster, so ship it to me and I'll make sure it works and is safe to operate.... :biggrin:
just lookin out for your well being.
congrats on a GREAT Find

What would be the UPS charge for shipping THAT monster?

Nice tool, congrats!

 

[bkersten]

My dad used one earlier than this one with a 4 ft bed in the late '60s and it's still going strong - heavy as well.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I saw one like that recently at a friend's house. It is a serious machine. To answer yer question, yes. You can turn pens on it. But, I suspect, you will be graduating to bigger objects before long. It should serve you and your children and grandchildren well. Congrats.

 

[randyrls]

Good one! I think the lathe may have a variable speed reeves drive in the head stock already. The large dial and handle clearly says "STOP" on the wheel. Since Powermatic is still in business you may be able to get a manual for the beast.

VFD's are easy to do... This subject comes up reqularly on many of the machining groups on YAHOO. Join and check out "9x20Lathe" group. You can run a VFD from 110V current but you should have a 230V 3 phase motor. Go figure that one out!

You should be able to score a VFD for under $100.