need a lathe

[Gary Chapman]

I am looking for a used powermatic 2 hp lathe. My woodfast just quit and I think it needs a new converter. I thought this might be the time to move up a bit.
I need one that is not too old and one with digital variable speed. I hate to have to buy a new one but if so, it need to happen soon.
I turn every day and can't wait to long . Gary

 

[Odie]

I am looking for a used powermatic 2 hp lathe. My woodfast just quit and I think it needs a new converter. I thought this might be the time to move up a bit.
I need one that is not too old and one with digital variable speed. I hate to have to buy a new one but if so, it need to happen soon.
I turn every day and can't wait to long . Gary

Gary.......Keep in mind that the Woodfast lathe, if it's one of the original Australian made versions, is a very desirable lathe. It can serve as a source of cash to purchase the Powermatic you are considering.

If the swing of the Woodfast suits your needs, and the Powermatic you are thinking of doesn't turn up, you still can get the conversion kit from CSUSA and make that Woodfast last a good long time more. The kit comes pre-wired and has simple instructions for installation. I did the installation of the 1 1/2hp Leeson/Minarik controller in only a few hours time on my Woodfast lathe......

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p...DC-Variable-Speed-Control?term=leeson+minarik

ooc

 

[Gary Chapman]

conversion kit

Odie,
Thanks for your help. I am having an electrician look at it this week. It might just be in some of the wiring. The person that had it before me rewired it for reverse switch and foot peddle and I think it might be the trouble.
I love this lathe, 2 hp and a 20 inch swing,who could not like it and a short bed so I can work a little at the end of the lathe-safety feature.
I might be calling on you to help me get through the conversion if I decide to do that. Thanks again-I knew you had a couple of the woodfast so you could give me some advise. Gary

 

[Gary Chapman]

Gary.......Keep in mind that the Woodfast lathe, if it's one of the original Australian made versions, is a very desirable lathe. It can serve as a source of cash to purchase the Powermatic you are considering.

If the swing of the Woodfast suits your needs, and the Powermatic you are thinking of doesn't turn up, you still can get the conversion kit from CSUSA and make that Woodfast last a good long time more. The kit comes pre-wired and has simple instructions for installation. I did the installation of the 1 1/2hp Leeson/Minarik controller in only a few hours time on my Woodfast lathe......

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p...DC-Variable-Speed-Control?term=leeson+minarik

ooc

Odie,
What is csusa?

 

[Odie]

Odie,
Thanks for your help. I am having an electrician look at it this week. It might just be in some of the wiring. The person that had it before me rewired it for reverse switch and foot peddle and I think it might be the trouble.
I love this lathe, 2 hp and a 20 inch swing,who could not like it and a short bed so I can work a little at the end of the lathe-safety feature.
I might be calling on you to help me get through the conversion if I decide to do that. Thanks again-I knew you had a couple of the woodfast so you could give me some advise. Gary

Gary.......

2hp/20" shortbed is about as desirable as you can get, in an Australian Woodfast lathe. If they were still available today, that's the one I'd want. It would take some serious prying to get it away from me.....! 😀

If I can help in any way, I would be happy to do that. Electrical troubleshooting isn't one of my strong points, though. The Leeson/Minarik conversion kit came pre-wired, and the instructions were very simple and easy to understand. What connections that did need to be made were well explained. You won't have a bit of trouble with it, if that's the route you eventually take.

CSUSA is an abbreviation for Craft Supplies, USA.

ooc

 

[Rob Wallace]

Odie,
What is csusa?

I'm not Odie.....

....but 'csusa' is Craft Supplies USA - the same company as "The Woodturners Catalog". Based in Provo, Utah. One of the most complete suppliers of wood turning tools, equipment, and supplies. http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/

The link he provided takes you directly to the motor & controller page that he was talking about. Both Leeson and Minarik are well established and respected names for quality manufacturers of this equipment.

Rob

 

[billooms]

I agree -- keep the old Woodfast. I would much rather pay the price for a new speed controller than make the move to a Powermatic (just my opinion).

 

[Gary Chapman]

Gary.......Keep in mind that the Woodfast lathe, if it's one of the original Australian made versions, is a very desirable lathe. It can serve as a source of cash to purchase the Powermatic you are considering.

If the swing of the Woodfast suits your needs, and the Powermatic you are thinking of doesn't turn up, you still can get the conversion kit from CSUSA and make that Woodfast last a good long time more. The kit comes pre-wired and has simple instructions for installation. I did the installation of the 1 1/2hp Leeson/Minarik controller in only a few hours time on my Woodfast lathe......

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p...DC-Variable-Speed-Control?term=leeson+minarik

ooc

Odie,
I find that the inverter is what is bad on my lathe. I took it off the lathe and found that it came from Minarik Electric in California. I emailed them and they will try to repair it or i will buy a new one for $365. That is a lot better than a conversion kit. I hope this works . The only problem is I will out of a lathe for a few weeks, I will die.
Thanks for your help and I will keep you informed. Gary

 

[Gary Chapman]

Gary.......Keep in mind that the Woodfast lathe, if it's one of the original Australian made versions, is a very desirable lathe. It can serve as a source of cash to purchase the Powermatic you are considering.

If the swing of the Woodfast suits your needs, and the Powermatic you are thinking of doesn't turn up, you still can get the conversion kit from CSUSA and make that Woodfast last a good long time more. The kit comes pre-wired and has simple instructions for installation. I did the installation of the 1 1/2hp Leeson/Minarik controller in only a few hours time on my Woodfast lathe......

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p...DC-Variable-Speed-Control?term=leeson+minarik
Odie,
When I bought this lathe it had no electrical wiring schematic and I can't remember a few connections to the switches. I have had the inverter circuit board fixed, a short in something but is fixed and I don't want to screw this up and blow something now.
The green on/off switch has one wire going to it from the inverter--green an then a black wire leaving the other side of the switch. where does the black wire go? Which side of the red off button does it connect-- the white wire side or the black wire side.
Can you give me any advise. I am not an electrician and the one I have helping me is not sure.

 

[Odie]

Odie,
When I bought this lathe it had no electrical wiring schematic and I can't remember a few connections to the switches. I have had the inverter circuit board fixed, a short in something but is fixed and I don't want to screw this up and blow something now.
The green on/off switch has one wire going to it from the inverter--green an then a black wire leaving the other side of the switch. where does the black wire go? Which side of the red off button does it connect-- the white wire side or the black wire side.
Can you give me any advise. I am not an electrician and the one I have helping me is not sure.

Gary......

I think your Woodfast lathe is probably a later model than mine is.....that is, if the 2hp with variable speed is original to it. At the time I purchased mine in 1992, the only options were 1hp with vs, and 1 1/2hp with 5 position manual belt changes. Mine was a simple on/off combination of two switches with five position belt/pulleys. There was no power indicator lamp. Getting the variable speed conversion was one of the best things I ever did......:cool2:

As I mentioned before, I'm not a good person to ask about electrical connections. Perhaps someone else on this forum can give you some answers, or at least walk you through a procedure for finding out how the connections should be made.......😕

It doesn't sound like it should be a big deal to get those connections right.

One thing I do do.......is mark wires with some tape with numbers written on it, and draw some crude diagrams when doing electrical work. That way, I have no trouble re-connecting wiring the same way they were, later on. I know that's not going to help you right now......next time, it might be helpful to do that......😀

ooc