1944 14C repairs and more

[wildo]

I got the VFD sorted out last year. It did work, probably as good as I could've hoped, but it's no where near as nice as the leadscrew reverse. It would be better with a external brake module so motor braking could be near instant, but after using it I don't really care for it. I dislike the noise from VFDs and it just don't feel right!

I'm uploading a couple videos of it in use. I am going to change the motor from the original 5hp to a 7.5hp and replace the VFD with a reversing contactor and simple fwd reverse selector switch mounted on carriage.
I went with the VFD in the first place because it was a comparable cost to a reversing contactor.

The new motor is inverter rated incase I go back to a VFD.

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I made up a coolant tank. I used a fiberglass tote from U-LINE because I had one and it fit. Model # S-19473. Capacity around 35L. I am using fuchs 7001 neat cutting oil. I wanted separate tank to keep the cutting oil cleaner and make cleaning drip tray easier.

The pump is a used FUJI VKP043 from ebay. There is a 1/2" strainer on tank inlet. Need to tidy up plumbing and wire in properly with a mag contactor which I'll do when new motor and reversing contactor get here.

 

[wildo]

First video using vfd, second using leadscrew reverse. The upper limit switch could've used some fine tuning to get a bit more sensitive for direction change. Also didn't have reverse indicator light connected

20221202_155802 by wild0, on Flickr

Slight difference in speed

20221202_155802 leadscrew by wild0, on Flickr

 

[wildo]

Onto the new motor control. I got a used 25hp reversing MCC bucket which I salvaged the contactors from. I didn't have an enclosure for this so I modified a tree/power pole mounted security camera enclosure which I dug out of the scrap pile a while ago.

I didn't want to repaint it so I riveted it all rather than welding. It was a little bit more work joggling the bends but turned out pretty good.







The original Allen Bradley switch and it's 70 odd year newer replacement. I managed to re-use the original mounting brackets and conduit. Attached the wiring diagram I used, for maintained direction selection and momentary on/off.

 

[wildo]

The big honker removed. I am pretty sad to remove it, but I will certainly be keeping it around as long as I have the lathe.
I had to re-drill mounts to go from 254 frame to new motor 213t frame size. I added 3/4" conveyor belting underneath motor to bring it back close to same shaft center height . While marking out the holes I checked the motor base for square. It was out 3/16" or so which accounts for the funny belt wear I'd been getting. I straightened it out.





Bore was opened up to 1.375 and new keyway cut












Smoke test with a 3ft long 2x4 proved success. Very happy with it. Was a decent amount of work and head scratching, but now should be set for the next 50 years. Next thing I think will be mounting a hydraulic copy turning attachment, if I can figure out a decent way to mount it on the cross slide.

 

[wildo]

and got the oil piping done. I need to get a better knurling tool!