BaitMaster’s (Work) Bench

[Susquatch]

It will also be nice to have a longer accel time and not shock the gear train as much. All in all a great upgrade.

I think most people don't recognize this advantage. Good on you for knowing.

 

[BaitMaster]

I guess I’ll post pictures when I’m done, but the mechanical install of the new motor is complete.

The new motor is much longer and the junction box is on the side of the motor, whereas the old motor had it on the end. The junction box on the side wasn’t working at all. I had to make a new cover for the box so it would sit flat and give clearance, and grind out part of the lip of the chip tray to get it to fit, but it’s in. And it’s staying in.

I did get the switch box to my satisfaction, utilizing the drum switch as my forward reverse, and the stop start for the contactor to still turn on the main power to the VFD. I also managed to install the potentiometer in a professional looking manner….

Now to mount the drive inside tomorrow and commission, and it will be done!

 

[140mower]

I guess I’ll post pictures when I’m done, but the mechanical install of the new motor is complete.

The new motor is much longer and the junction box is on the side of the motor, whereas the old motor had it on the end. The junction box on the side wasn’t working at all. I had to make a new cover for the box so it would sit flat and give clearance, and grind out part of the lip of the chip tray to get it to fit, but it’s in. And it’s staying in.

I did get the switch box to my satisfaction, utilizing the drum switch as my forward reverse, and the stop start for the contactor to still turn on the main power to the VFD. I also managed to install the potentiometer in a professional looking manner….

Now to mount the drive inside tomorrow and commission, and it will be done!

Looking forward to seeing the finished installation.

 

[Tomc938]

Could I have bought a new one cheaper then my 2 hours working on it? Yes. Could I have learned as much or been as proud at the end result? No way!

One of my favourite Mr. Pete moments is when he says (paraphrasing) "Could I have bought this part for $20 at the store? Absolutely! But I made it myself - with $10,000 worth of tools."

 

[BaitMaster]

Alright fellas, VFD retrofit is complete.

I wanted to keep the controls as original looking as possible, and decided to just mount the drive under in the cabinet. The discerning eye may be like, what about using super fancy drive cable, or not re using the old wiring….. my answer is meh, this will last as long as I own the lathe.

Edit: I also am planning to do a strain connector on the cable going from the compartment on the motor cable going out, to prevent the ingress of shavings and oil….. I just need to pick up another connector tomorrow….

Nonetheless, I’m happy with the install overall and especially the results. I’m also happy the controls worked out to look almost original minus the speed dial.

For the other SM owners, try to get the motor JB on the end bell of the motor, and NOT on the right side where they normally are… cutting that drip pan lip and fabbing up the new JB cover was the biggest PITA on this particular project.

 

[BaitMaster]

 

[6.5 Fan]

A little gray paint on the blue motor and it will look original.

 

[BaitMaster]

There…. Now there can’t be any shavings ending up directly on top of that drive.

 

[Brent H]

Just a note to maybe help : the motor on the Utilathe has the fan end exposed to where you are making chips. My Utilathes have “drip proof” motors (original to the lathe) that proved to suck in a lot of crap - mostly cutting oil vapour but I also pulled a drywall screw out of the windings during rebuild. If you can, fab up a nice chip shield that will allow the motor to breath and keep the crap out.

 

[BaitMaster]

@Brent H do you think it would be helpful even with the shield that comes on that motor? If you look 3rd pic down on the completion post you can see the shield that it has. I guess also this motor is a TEFC, so there is no opening into the windings even behind that shield….

 

[Brent H]

The TEFC motor will be great. I have a full shield behind my lathe to stop coolant and oil from spraying out across things. If tour lathe backs to the wall you should be a-ok. I will update you with some pics tomorrow. I still have a shield to make for Miss Metric so that will be posted at some point.

Your efforts so far are super great!! Beauty lathe!!

 

[Brent H]

this is a pic of the back of the protection I made for the lathe.

 

[Susquatch]

this is a pic of the back of the protection I made for the lathe.

Your not fooling us Brent. That's a shelf for tool holders.....

I like the name too!

 

[DavidR8]

this is a pic of the back of the protection I made for the lathe.

View attachment 43081

Thanks for that Brent. A backsplash is on my project list. What gauge metal did you use?

 

[Susquatch]

Thanks for that Brent. A backsplash is on my project list. What gauge metal did you use?

It's prolly plate to be strong enough to support all his tool holders..... LOL!

 

[Brent H]

@David_R8 the “splash” is 18 gauge stainless steel but 20 would be super fine to use with support. The heavier gauge is nicer to weld. The stainless was from a hospital cabinet job - I have also cut the fronts off old dishwashers for the stainless

 

[DavidR8]

@David_R8 the “splash” is 18 gauge stainless steel but 20 would be super fine to use with support. The heavier gauge is nicer to weld. The stainless was from a hospital cabinet job - I have also cut the fronts off old dishwashers for the stainless

Thanks @Brent H, with my new 3 in 1 machine this project has moved up the list

 

[BaitMaster]

The splash guard looks great.

The sheet metal stuff I’ve never got into…. But I suppose it’s just another few thousand more in tools away before I can do that as well…..

Did you do it with a simple brake and shear @Brent H ?

 

[Brent H]

@BaitMaster, I cut the material with a plasma cutter and did the bending by clamping a piece of angle iron to my bench and working the material. I have a box brake on order so that should speed up my next build. I will make another one for the metric lathe.

I made up some cardboard templates to get the curves correct and then added that little section above the motor so I have full carriage travel. I used rivets to secure pieces together.

 

[YotaBota]

Is there a tach in your future? This is the one I have on my lathe, works well and reads down to 20ish rpm.

https://www.amazon.ca/DIGITEN-Digital-Tachometer-Proximity-Switch/dp/B01FQMI18Y/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1BMV4F9JLWNF7&keywords=digital+tachometer&qid=1705624678&sprefix=digital+tach%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-9

They're available in red and blue as well. The switch is for tach power, a dual voltage wall wart.