Baldor Wins Again
May 1st, 2009Lathe Gets Heart Transplant
I decided to do the predictable thing, give up, spend money, and get a new motor for the lathe. The motor the seller sent me runs, but it makes a bonking sound at low speed, and it just doesn’t look healthy. Also, the marred-up spindle appears to be incapable of holding the pulley stack so it spins true. I don’t think that will be good for the lower belt, and I’m sure it will make noise.
The smart thing would be to leave it in the lathe until it melted, but I just don’t have the patience to see if it gives good service. The lathe’s guts are in great shape. The ways look good. I think the compound and the other moving parts are okay. Mating all that to a junky motor just feels wrong. And like I said, somebody just happens to be Ebaying the exact type of motor I need, for less than 20% of list, including shipping. DONE. The peace is worth it.
Hopefully I will never have to interact with the seller again. He’s supposed to send me a replacement knob for the thread selection lever, and I think he’ll actually do it. I may sell the 1-phase motor back to him. I’ll try to find a use for the old 3-phase motor, or sell it. That’s the end. I guess I have to install the stupid thing and use it while I wait for the new one. That will help me get the bugs out of the wiring, I suppose.
May 1st, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Steve, I haven’t followed every word of your Lathe mini-series because tool talk makes me sleepy. Or more precisely, it makes me reach for the nearest wine bottle which eventually makes me sleepy. But I was wondering, this Lathe guy’s name isn’t Olademeji O afolabi is it? Maybe you ticked him off in a previous life…
May 1st, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Why not use the 1phase motor to build a belt grinder?
May 1st, 2009 at 5:40 PM
The ways look good. I think the compound and the other moving parts are okay. Mating all that to a junky motor just feels wrong.
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Welcome to the club of “that just doesn’t seem right, I better fix it”!
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It’s the same reason that I built my NACA-Scoop three times:
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http://www.jbwilco.com/Cozyweb/chapter_7_fuse_exterior.htm
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Oh, and you didn’t say what type of mill…I need to know so I can announce it at the local “Steve Enabler Club’s” next meeting.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:28 AM
The major problem with the “Steve Enabler Club” meetiings around here are the things folks are bringing for the coffee breaks.
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Everybody has gained about a hundred pounds and the local cheese factory has put in another shift to up the production of mozzarella and provolone for the plethora of pizzas, and cream cheese for cheesecakes.
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We desperately need a shipment of golf carts because we’re getting to fat to walk anywhere.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Leo:
The major problem with the “Steve Enabler Club” meetiings around here are the things folks are bringing for the coffee breaks.
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Yeah, Barb is doing spin class every morning to compensate. I say let’s hook up generators to those exercise bikes and make some power. O’course if Obama hears about that, it will become Manditory Service for everyone to ride the bikes, so maybe I should just shut up now 😉
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The menu for the “Steve Enabler Club” meeting next Saturday (also known as a murder mystery party) is Pan-fried Ribeye (I got the propane burner for my birthday!), Baked Potatoes, Steamed Squash (Barb insists on having a non-starchy vegetable) and of course both Black-raspberry and Chocolate Cheesecakes…gotta remember to get the blood-work for my next Doctor’s visit done BEFORE Saturday 🙂
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Leo, golf carts, not Bobcats?