Member postings for Matt de Hoest

Worth looking at L1, L2 and L3 again. As others have said - if control circuitry is connected to phantom phase it dont work. I think L1 and L2 are OK but running control circuits off L3 leads to symptoms similar to those you have described. Static converters are fine where a single motor is supplied (or even single main motor + coolant motor with negligable draw) but you need to set the output power usually with a rotary switch. Eg - if you have one motor at 1hp and another at 2hp you need to manually change the output power to 1hp or 2hp depending on which motor your running (or 3hp where youre running both). Might be worth checking your converters output matches your motor's draw. Static converter output frequency is fixed so motor speed is fixed. VFD probably better for a single motor: relatively cheap, infinate speed control etc and small 3phase motors (coolant motor) can be rewound for single phase quite easily/cheaply apparantly. The VFD control then replaces the stock motor controls on the lathe and only allows control of the drive motor. I chose a rotary as my machine has two motors (main and power-feed) hence constantly change the power draw as i operate the machine. With a rotary there is no need to set any output and minimum draw is 0. Much easier for multi-motor or multi-machine operations. I phoned transwave for help when buying and after buying to help set up - they were really helpful and sympathetic to my lack of knowledge!! They also sell inverters.

Best wishes

Matt

Edited By Matt de Hoest on 18/09/2017 22:25:24

Thanks Brian.

Try this calculator (http://www.dieselserviceandsupply.com/Power_Calculator.aspx). My understanding is that kW draw ought to be 0.6-0.8 of kVA produced by the generator but happy to be corrected.

Hi all,

I joined a couple of days ago, have been exploring and thought i would post an intro. Im from Driffield in East Riding. Ive been doing a distance learning course (well watching youtube vids and reading stuff!!) for a few years and have managed to get a bit of a workshop together with big mill (Vernier VF3) and little lathe (ML7). Am obsessed with welding and am getting into tractor restoration and live steam engines. Ive nearly finished building a little stuart vertical engine - one or two bits ive machined are even the right size!!

Looking forward to more projects.

Best wishes

Matt

Edited By Matt de Hoest on 18/09/2017 17:56:52

I have an ML7 - they are beautiful things. Myford (not the original myford) sell appropirate oils online - https://www.myford.co.uk/acatalog/Myford_Genuine_Oil_and_Machine_Paint.html.

I paid 1300 for mine in good condition, with the optional clutch, rack operated tail stock, thread dial, 3 ph and inverter and accessories (face plates etc). Seen them go for 1800 or more in this condition though. 2000+ if the quick change gearbox is fitted. Quite a few come up on ebay and lathes.co.uk for comparison.

Lovely to work with - bit of a pain changing the gear train everytime you want to change feed but no probs if you like to tinker. Guess thats why the quickchange gearbox is so sought after.

Cheers

Matt

Awesome - thank you for all the replies.

Bikepete - tried to put pic on for you but am a bit rubbish with computers (hence no cnc for me!!). The mill is a Vernier VF3 with a swivelling bed - loads of pics on google. Is a beast - bit of overkill really but good for the tractor im restoring! Facing the parts for the stuart engine im making looks very funny. Love using the horizontal "mode".

What im getting is - pain in the proverbial but do-able with the right set-up.

Jann west - thanks ill try re- traming the head (takes a bit of doing it weighs half a tonne). Ill get some better drills and make sure speeds and feeds are right and give it another go. Easy to peck by reversing the feed but didnt seem to make any difference. Perhaps ill learn the difference between X,Y and Z as well well, ey?? Robin - big mill was cheaper than Bridgeport - felt like a good idea at the time!! Lots of versatility!! It will accept a bridgeport head to the overhead with a bit of fettling - this might be a way to go. Not sure how id explain this to the boss though!!

Hi all, i wonder if you can help.

I was looking for a mill and had the opportunity to buy a biggish 6hp universal milling machine. It is awesome but downside is no quill on the vertical head. No problem i thought, it has powerfeeds and rapids in all direction so i can drill on on xaxis feed.

Unfortunately when it comes to actually doing it i have made more broken drills than i have holes!! First try was 6mm bit through a 3mm pilot. Drill decimated. I thought probably the result of too high spindle and speed (and maybe too dull a drill .. Maybe!!). Second try - lower feed, smaller drill - majoy snappage but very little hole making. Third try - higher spindle speed, same feed - got me a 4mm deep hole before the drill failed.

Ive found a twist drill speed and feed calculator (http://www.custompartnet.com/calculator/drilling-speed-and-feed) and looked at recommendation in machinerys handbook (and ill also sharpen the next drill!!). Is there any reason i cant drill on a quill-less mill by raised x-axis on power-feed and does anyone have any tips?? Regards matt.