Jump to content

Recommendation for lath motor


Recommended Posts

12 minutes ago, Daniel123 said:

I’ve been keeping an eye out on eBay, so many makes out there. I’m hoping to not buy wrong thing 

A lathe on a Borel stand with a countershaft and a sewing machine motor is the best setup. And make your belt out of boot leather for no noise. Here is one of my many videos.

 

 

image.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are many options, from single speed motors with countershaft to give a limited range of speeds, to variable speed AC/DC motors with or without countershaft, usually with a foot pedal rheostat to vary the speed, to more modern DC motors with variable speed, often with a knob to set the speed but could be with foot pedal or knob and foot pedal for on/off.

 

In my early days most lathes I encountered in the U.S. had the AC/DC "universal motor", mounted on the famous Borel base,with foot pedal, which is familiar to most watchmakers, and which I despise (haha). I hate not having a fixed speed, and those motors hate being run slowly- no torque- so a countershaft is really necessary in my opinion to step down the speed from a fast spinning motor.

 

DC with a proper control will give a very wide range of speed with plenty of torque at slow speeds. There are usually some DC motors with controler ready to mount up for sale on German Ebay, a friend got one and it is very nice. These tend to run very smoothly, and as stated, have plenty of power over their range, are quiet, and eliminate the need for a countershaft. Aside from the mentioned one that's offered as "for watch lathe", there are many industrial sewing machine motors available on Ebay, often marked as servo motor. A servo is just a DC motor that has a precision control. These tend to be overkill in size for a watch lathe, but there are smaller ones, and they tend to come complete with control. That would be far, far, better than the motor on your mother's sewing machine, which is usually a lower rpm "universal" motor, controlled by rheostat.

 

As for belting, that's a matter of choice. There are many options, from miniature V belt, to leather (which is fine), to fusible plastic/rubber belt, which is the choice of most folks I know, myself, and industry. If you have an industrial belting supplier in your town or nearby, they likely carry Habasit belting, which comes in a number of varieties of flat and round shapes. The round stuff is called Polycord and is very good. 4mm would be perfect. It's fused by cutting it to length cleanly, then put a piece of 1 or 2mm sheet brass (or steel) in a vice, and heat with a torch until hot enough to melt the belt. Press the ends on opposing sides of the hot metal, face to face, let melt, and slowly slide it off so the ends meet up. Hold until cool, then trim off the bead around the joint. I have belts joined like this that have been in use for a decade, zero issues.

 

In the pics you can see my primary lathe, the Leinen, with a 380v industrial 3 phase motor, with built in countershaft. That lathe had a motor integral to the base when bought, which was switched to a DC with control in the base, and finally I liked the industrial motor so much I pulled out all the DC stuff and have been running it this way for almost 20 years. The other lathe is a Favorite that my workshop mates use, it has a single speed (1400 rpm) motor, no countershaft, but 4 options on the pulleys, and they are very happy with it. The pic of the motor and controller is the one a friend bought off German Ebay (sells internationally). From the screwdriver stand you can get an idea of the size. Nice looking stuff, was under 200 bucks as I recall.

 

 

leinen.jpg

favorite.jpg

ebay motor.jpg

Edited by nickelsilver
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

There are many options, from single speed motors with countershaft to give a limited range of speeds, to variable speed AC/DC motors with or without countershaft, usually with a foot pedal rheostat to vary the speed, to more modern DC motors with variable speed, often with a knob to set the speed but could be with foot pedal or knob and foot pedal for on/off.

 

In my early days most lathes I encountered in the U.S. had the AC/DC "universal motor", mounted on the famous Borel base,with foot pedal, which is familiar to most watchmakers, and which I despise (haha). I hate not having a fixed speed, and those motors hate being run slowly- no torque- so a countershaft is really necessary in my opinion to step down the speed from a fast spinning motor.

 

DC with a proper control will give a very wide range of speed with plenty of torque at slow speeds. There are usually some DC motors with controler ready to mount up for sale on German Ebay, a friend got one and it is very nice. These tend to run very smoothly, and as stated, have plenty of power over their range, are quiet, and eliminate the need for a countershaft. Aside from the mentioned one that's offered as "for watch lathe", there are many industrial sewing machine motors available on Ebay, often marked as servo motor. A servo is just a DC motor that has a precision control. These tend to be overkill in size for a watch lathe, but there are smaller ones, and they tend to come complete with control. That would be far, far, better than the motor on your mother's sewing machine, which is usually a lower rpm "universal" motor, controlled by rheostat.

 

As for belting, that's a matter of choice. There are many options, from miniature V belt, to leather (which is fine), to fusible plastic/rubber belt, which is the choice of most folks I know, myself, and industry. If you have an industrial belting supplier in your town or nearby, they likely carry Habasit belting, which comes in a number of varieties of flat and round shapes. The round stuff is called Polycord and is very good. 4mm would be perfect. It's fused by cutting it to length cleanly, then put a piece of 1 or 2mm sheet brass (or steel) in a vice, and heat with a torch until hot enough to melt the belt. Press the ends on opposing sides of the hot metal, face to face, let melt, and slowly slide it off so the ends meet up. Hold until cool, then trim off the bead around the joint. I have belts joined like this that have been in use for a decade, zero issues.

 

In the pics you can see my primary lathe, the Leinen, with a 380v industrial 3 phase motor, with built in countershaft. That lathe had a motor integral to the base when bought, which was switched to a DC with control in the base, and finally I liked the industrial motor so much I pulled out all the DC stuff and have been running it this way for almost 20 years. The other lathe is a Favorite that my workshop mates use, it has a single speed (1400 rpm) motor, no countershaft, but 4 options on the pulleys, and they are very happy with it. The pic of the motor and controller is the one a friend bought off German Ebay (sells internationally). From the screwdriver stand you can get an idea of the size. Nice looking stuff, was under 200 bucks as I recall.

 

 

leinen.jpg

favorite.jpg

ebay motor.jpg

I’ve been looking at this motor, it’s just motor though.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403592624860?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=zgke2qfwr92&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=rlz7vj34Rf2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

There are many options, from single speed motors with countershaft to give a limited range of speeds, to variable speed AC/DC motors with or without countershaft, usually with a foot pedal rheostat to vary the speed, to more modern DC motors with variable speed, often with a knob to set the speed but could be with foot pedal or knob and foot pedal for on/off.

 

In my early days most lathes I encountered in the U.S. had the AC/DC "universal motor", mounted on the famous Borel base,with foot pedal, which is familiar to most watchmakers, and which I despise (haha). I hate not having a fixed speed, and those motors hate being run slowly- no torque- so a countershaft is really necessary in my opinion to step down the speed from a fast spinning motor.

 

DC with a proper control will give a very wide range of speed with plenty of torque at slow speeds. There are usually some DC motors with controler ready to mount up for sale on German Ebay, a friend got one and it is very nice. These tend to run very smoothly, and as stated, have plenty of power over their range, are quiet, and eliminate the need for a countershaft. Aside from the mentioned one that's offered as "for watch lathe", there are many industrial sewing machine motors available on Ebay, often marked as servo motor. A servo is just a DC motor that has a precision control. These tend to be overkill in size for a watch lathe, but there are smaller ones, and they tend to come complete with control. That would be far, far, better than the motor on your mother's sewing machine, which is usually a lower rpm "universal" motor, controlled by rheostat.

 

As for belting, that's a matter of choice. There are many options, from miniature V belt, to leather (which is fine), to fusible plastic/rubber belt, which is the choice of most folks I know, myself, and industry. If you have an industrial belting supplier in your town or nearby, they likely carry Habasit belting, which comes in a number of varieties of flat and round shapes. The round stuff is called Polycord and is very good. 4mm would be perfect. It's fused by cutting it to length cleanly, then put a piece of 1 or 2mm sheet brass (or steel) in a vice, and heat with a torch until hot enough to melt the belt. Press the ends on opposing sides of the hot metal, face to face, let melt, and slowly slide it off so the ends meet up. Hold until cool, then trim off the bead around the joint. I have belts joined like this that have been in use for a decade, zero issues.

 

In the pics you can see my primary lathe, the Leinen, with a 380v industrial 3 phase motor, with built in countershaft. That lathe had a motor integral to the base when bought, which was switched to a DC with control in the base, and finally I liked the industrial motor so much I pulled out all the DC stuff and have been running it this way for almost 20 years. The other lathe is a Favorite that my workshop mates use, it has a single speed (1400 rpm) motor, no countershaft, but 4 options on the pulleys, and they are very happy with it. The pic of the motor and controller is the one a friend bought off German Ebay (sells internationally). From the screwdriver stand you can get an idea of the size. Nice looking stuff, was under 200 bucks as I recall.

 

 

leinen.jpg

favorite.jpg

ebay motor.jpg

I'm jealous. What scope is that please Nicklesilver, I want to upgrade mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, jdrichard said:

A lathe on a Borel stand with a countershaft and a sewing machine motor is the best setup. And make your belt out of boot leather for no noise. Here is one of my many videos.

 

 

image.jpg

Is that by any chance a wolf hans JD, I'm in desperate  need of help with getting my headstock apart to clean my newly acquired one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Is that by any chance a wolf hans JD, I'm in desperate  need of help with getting my headstock apart to clean my newly acquired one.

What size Wolf Jahn lathe is it? I just managed to dismantle my 6mm Wolf Jahn headstock

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

There are many options, from single speed motors with countershaft to give a limited range of speeds, to variable speed AC/DC motors with or without countershaft, usually with a foot pedal rheostat to vary the speed, to more modern DC motors with variable speed, often with a knob to set the speed but could be with foot pedal or knob and foot pedal for on/off.

 

In my early days most lathes I encountered in the U.S. had the AC/DC "universal motor", mounted on the famous Borel base,with foot pedal, which is familiar to most watchmakers, and which I despise (haha). I hate not having a fixed speed, and those motors hate being run slowly- no torque- so a countershaft is really necessary in my opinion to step down the speed from a fast spinning motor.

 

DC with a proper control will give a very wide range of speed with plenty of torque at slow speeds. There are usually some DC motors with controler ready to mount up for sale on German Ebay, a friend got one and it is very nice. These tend to run very smoothly, and as stated, have plenty of power over their range, are quiet, and eliminate the need for a countershaft. Aside from the mentioned one that's offered as "for watch lathe", there are many industrial sewing machine motors available on Ebay, often marked as servo motor. A servo is just a DC motor that has a precision control. These tend to be overkill in size for a watch lathe, but there are smaller ones, and they tend to come complete with control. That would be far, far, better than the motor on your mother's sewing machine, which is usually a lower rpm "universal" motor, controlled by rheostat.

 

As for belting, that's a matter of choice. There are many options, from miniature V belt, to leather (which is fine), to fusible plastic/rubber belt, which is the choice of most folks I know, myself, and industry. If you have an industrial belting supplier in your town or nearby, they likely carry Habasit belting, which comes in a number of varieties of flat and round shapes. The round stuff is called Polycord and is very good. 4mm would be perfect. It's fused by cutting it to length cleanly, then put a piece of 1 or 2mm sheet brass (or steel) in a vice, and heat with a torch until hot enough to melt the belt. Press the ends on opposing sides of the hot metal, face to face, let melt, and slowly slide it off so the ends meet up. Hold until cool, then trim off the bead around the joint. I have belts joined like this that have been in use for a decade, zero issues.

 

In the pics you can see my primary lathe, the Leinen, with a 380v industrial 3 phase motor, with built in countershaft. That lathe had a motor integral to the base when bought, which was switched to a DC with control in the base, and finally I liked the industrial motor so much I pulled out all the DC stuff and have been running it this way for almost 20 years. The other lathe is a Favorite that my workshop mates use, it has a single speed (1400 rpm) motor, no countershaft, but 4 options on the pulleys, and they are very happy with it. The pic of the motor and controller is the one a friend bought off German Ebay (sells internationally). From the screwdriver stand you can get an idea of the size. Nice looking stuff, was under 200 bucks as I recall.

 

 

leinen.jpg

favorite.jpg

ebay motor.jpg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265640776964?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=VyiznPFHT16&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=rlz7vj34Rf2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
 

how about this one

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, Daniel123 said:

I've bought from this guy, a job lot of bits and pieces. Was ok. Not the cheapest for what I got tbf. But had no issues with him as a seller. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Does it say 17 jewels on the dial or on the movement ?
    • Hello and welcome from Leeds. 
    • Lots of rust on that hairspring Nev, would you even try to clean it up ?
    • How do you find the working distance from microscope lens to movement? Is it comfortable enough to get tools in?
    • Once you have the collet closer bits off, and the pulley off, there are two nuts on the spindle. These must be removed. There is a large nut in the back of the headstock with two holes, remove this with an appropriate wrench. The front large nut comes off too. The spindle now comes out- but wait- there's more! There is a spacer between the outer races of the bearings; the spindle will almost certainly come out "assembled" with both bearings and this spacer (it can actually come out front or back-ways with the large nuts off the headstock). You have to manage to press out the spindle from the rear bearing, get the spacer off, then remove the front bearing, now you can get to the key.   Imagining you get it all apart without causing any damage to the bearings, now the fun part starts. You must apply preload to the bearings, and this is a very tricky endeavor. Basically once you have the bearings back on, and are in the casting, you snug up the rear nut (one of the two) on the spindle, checking the play of the spindle with at least a 0.002mm reading indicator, until there is zero axial play, then just a little more, then snug up the second nut to lock things in place. Of course snugging up the second nut influences the preload, so you can go back and forth a few times to get it right. Too much preload and bearing life diminishes, too little, and you get poor performance, poor surface finishes, ball skidding, etc.   When I replaced the bearings in one of mine many years ago, I was surprised to find that the bearings were regular deep-groove bearings, but of a higher precision class than normal. I replaced with dimensionally identical angular contact bearings, class P4. In trying to set the preload, I just about lost my mind, so called Barden (the high precision arm of FAG bearing makers, and who made my new ones) and a nice engineer told me that the folks at Leinen were either crazy, or really good- he also said it's 100% A-OK to set up deep groove bearings with preload like this, but best is angular contact. In this bearing setup, the standard way to do it is to have a spacer between the outer races, and another between the inner races. Leinen has the former but not the latter, haha. His advice was to make an inner spacer. The trick is it has to be the exact same length as the outer spacer, within like a micron.  Then you just tighten everything up and the preload is set, because the bearings (the new ones) are ground in a way that they have proper preload in that situation. Easy. Sort of- if you have the means to make the other spacer!   Just to note- Schaublin does the preloading as Leinen did on these on their lathes using angular contact bearings. There is a procedure in the manual, where you tighten the nut until axial play is zero, then a certain number of degrees more. This works on their setup as the nut itself locks without a second nut, and they spent the time to figure it all out in a repeatable way.   I say all this not to scare you off from dismantling your headstock, just to give a heads-up what you're up against to get it back to where it was before.
×
×
  • Create New...