Colchester student help please

Hi all ,

I am new to this forum. I am busy getting my workshop off the ground and bought a colchester student round head mk1 lathe off ebay. I was wondering what road to go down as far as running this 3 phase 3hp motor. Should I just convert to 240v single phase motor and fit it, is this a pain to do, or should I purchase an inverter 240v to 3 phase as the lathe is fitted with a dual voltage 240 / 415 motor and run it as it is. Any advice on types of motors, models, inverters and what I may need to do.etc.

I would be most grateful for any advice best regards Gary.

I have a mk1 student too and it's the only machine in my shop that I haven't got an inverter or variable speed drive on

I have a 2hp single phase on it and its nice to be able to stop it dead on the handle with the brake.

almost all my other machines (8) run on control techniques drives they are easy to set up and so far I haven't had a failure. They are not the cheapest around about £250 ish for a 1.5 kw one

ian

I put a single phase motor on my mk1 and transformed it into a really usless piece of kit. i have used the Colchesters most of my working life and didnt want too much to change, but changing the motor made it gutless.

Changed back to 3 phase with a rotory converter. I had one already for another machine.

Never used individual inverters as they alway seem so epensive to kit out a whole workshop in one go.(3 machines !)

Gary,

My advice is not to fit a single phase motor to your Student lathe . I would fit a suitable inverter matched to your existing motor. I suggest you contact:

Gavin Oseman
goseman [at] f2s.com
01684 574966
Malvern, Worcs.
UK

He regularly advertises reasonably priced inverters on the Homeworkshop web site.

Eric

Hey lads,

Thanks very much to you all for the advice. I can not wait to get started. Cheers Eric for the number I will chase this up thanks.

I look after a small factory of 7 workers we produce the Tri Air fire damper. We have a little toolroom which I use to produce press tools to help with the manufacture. Here is a little vid of me having a bit play making coin rings.

http://youtu.be/d4ThOQ7GIoA

Cheers Guss.

Edited By Gary Parkin on 03/04/2013 21:30:17