Lathe drive motor

A friend of mine has an old Faircut lathe which has not been run for many years.

The lathe is driven by a 1/6 HP single phase Batwin motor. This motor (type DN5A) has a handle at the non drive end which moves the brush position. The motor nameplate indicates a speed of 800/2000 RPM. I cannot understand whether moving the brush position can (if at all) change the speed of the motor ?
Does anyone have knowledge of the motor type.

Thanks Mick

It most certainly does. My honey extractor has a motor of that type. The control on that has such a range that it is able to reverse the motor, too.

Not sure moving the position of the brushes would do it but maybe adding / subtracting brushes might? Say a dynamic way of changing a 2 pole motor to a 4 pole by engaging additional brushes? I know next to sod all about motors so this is purely off the wall speculation!

Paul.

If it has brushes and is an AC motor it will be a "universal" type. I doubt it was original equipment but was added by a previous owner. Frankly it would be kindest to give the motor a decent burial and fit a small single phase induction motor if your friend intends to use the lathe.

Thanks for the replies. I’m reluctant to power up the motor in case I damage it, will check the connections next week and post some photos of anything interesting.

cheers

Mick

Sorry to say that I think John Haine has hit the nail on the head . also even though it's a small lathe 1/6 hp is a bit on the light side . I'be looking at 1/4 hp minimum but I'd go for 1/2 hp if I have a choice , simply because the motor would be more versatile if it was moved on in the future.

Mick,

In the interests of gaining knowledge it would be great to see some pictures of how it works if you end up taking it apart!

Paul.

Its a repulsion type motor, which has an armature, similar ,but not the same as a DC motor has. It's old, it will have some cotton insulation which will be fragile by now, so dry it out in the airing cupboard . On some motors the brushes are shorted together when running and often there is a mark position for reverse running. John

I have a brushed 1915 motor that reverses by rotating the brush carrier in a curved slot It's 1/4hp and as big as a modern 2hp. Birmingham Science Museum had one on display when it was in Newhall St.

Edited By Dave Halford on 11/04/2021 18:06:55

Hello All,

Thanks to all who responded to my request for information. To confirm it is a single phase repulsion motor with the brushes shorted together. By varying the brush position the motor speed can be varied from standstill to 2000 RPM.
After removing the NDE cover we cleaned the commutator checked the brushes, and blew out forty odd years of dust and a spider which has taken up residence. Amazing after forty years with out being powered up, the bearings are fine and ran as good as new 😁

Now another request does anyone know where we can obtain a manual for the Faircut lathe which the motor drives ?

will attempt to attach some photos.

Mick

THe lever on my motor when moved reverses the motor on my Faircut Lathe No known linfo seems to exist on Faircut Lathes ... Lathes Uk has a considerable amount of info worth a look at this web site

Your Lathe looks like the Junior from the photo more photos will give more info.

Good Luck Bee,M

Thanks Brian,

Yes I forgot to mention in my post, when the lever is in the centre position the motor stops and reverses direction.
Will post some photos of the lathe.

Mick