Harrison VS330TR lathe

Hi

I am thinking of buying a Harrison VS330TR variable speed lathe.Has anyone had experience of running one of these from a single phase supply using a static or rotary converter. I am wondering how the converter would cope with the change in load as you changed the speed of the machine from 35rpm to 3000rpm. The machine has a 2.2kw (3hp) main motor. Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

William

Its the same as the M300 without screw cutting gearbox but with three range variable speed and should be a lot cheaper.
Very costly when go wrong have a search on Chipmasters same machine ish the variator packs up.

Initially ran mine off a Transwave RT5.5KW convertor it couldn't cope with anything more than a clean up cut in mid range drove me round the bend. Will need bigger convertor or inverter but costly. 4kw invertors ok on startup in low range only. With 5.5kw convertor soon as go to mid range even with a small 5" chuck will have problems with torque and spindle slowing with cleanup cuts.
High range quite useful but no chance of starting spindle up even with a push start of small chuck will need bigger inverter or convertor at least 7.5kw. The Transwave moans excessively on startup here with a strong burning smell after a several seconds by which time spindles around half way up to speed. Mine can take 9 seconds with a small 5" chuck to reach 2500rpm, 1200 rpm around 5 to 6 seconds all on hard start. This is the range you would use the most whereas the M300 could get away with mid range of three selectable speeds.

If seller has a convertor or invertor look what it is and test out function in top speed range and put a cut on. If its wired in to 3ph supply walk away will cost a fortune.
Have to run my M300 off one of these now gone up to £2k from £900 **LINK**
Or this **LINK**

Cheaper way is to junk the variable speed doing away with control panel and VFD it with 3kw 220 3ph invertor if can be done, but will need to figure and wire in the trips back to vfd. My motors 400v non dual voltage but coolant pumps are dual voltage.

Jon, I thought the TR on those stood for "Tool Room" as they come with screwcutting gear box, not like training lathes

A "T" before the number would be a training lathe eg T300

Edited By JasonB on 24/10/2016 20:05:22

I have a M300 with a Danfoss VLT5005 5.2KVA unit and it works perfect in all speeds. No slow start up or any overloading problems in any speed range.

Thought it was the training lathe I stand corrected thanks. Misleading with the TR standing for Tool Room. T is the Training Lathe have a mate with one.

Looks like theres two models ones an export AA both with similar gearbox as M300's. I don't have to change a change wheel just swap two over to cover smallest to largest threading with no rearrangement of other wheels. TR have to change a 24T for a 20T or similar so always have a spare change wheel.
Everything else about it same as M300 real good machines if older than 15 yrs.

There might be more info around on the Colchester Chipmaster equivalent made by same 600 Group sharing same parts, just make sure the variator is working or walk away.
Good ones of this calibre are increasing in value, so if used and unabused could be worth more than you pay for it in 5 years.
The only problem just check out its able to startup on mid variator setting in high speed then run it with a cut on using a convertor or inverter and make note of what it is.
Have a look around for what they are going for be prepared, I dropped on a bargain worked out at £750 6 yrs ago easily get £1500 now abused prices have risen.

Loading will be ok William its the spindle startup from zero and keeping it there when a cut is put on.
Like a car going uphill, need more throttle to attain same speed, more importantly motor runs through a pulley/gearing system so its like trying to pull away in 5th gear at fastest setting which requires loads more grunt perhaps three to four times the motor rating. Fairly sure will have to stop the spindle to select another speed range and limited to the RPM within that.

Hello

Thanks for the info - looks like I should be looking for a good Harrison M300 instead.

Regards

William.

run away from it as quick as you can,variable speed and phase converters do not like each other,I had a very good condition Colchester student with variable speed unit ,b,,,,y useless it did not stay very long in my workshop,Replaced it with a a colchester master 2500 which is a very good lathe.

I would still have a look William, as above see it running from an inverter or rotary convertor first.
If run from industrial 3ph 400v+ be prepared for £2k outlay for an invertor.