gunsmith help

[Fred Lichtenstein]

Hello everyone,
I do a basic gunsmithig works in my workshop. Yesterday the motor on my lathe stopped. I may only assume that it is burnt, because it had a specific smell. Are here people familiar with the gunsmithing? What motors do power your lathe? I need any recommendations before I buy a new tool. Thanks for your time..

[Dean Romig]

There should be a manufacturer's nome and model number on your lathe motor. It should be relatively easy to find a suitable replacement once you find that information.





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[Brian Dudley]

A question likely better asked on a machinists forum. Nothing specific about the type of motor on a lathe if it is ised for gunsmithing or fo any other type of machining. And, as Dean stated, the type of machine will dictate that.

Looking for a replacement of the one that is on there would be a good place to start.

[edgarspencer]

Go to Grainger.com They have any and every motor you can dream up.
I have one lathe that uses a 1 HP motor, and another than has 15hp on the spindle and 3 on the rapid traverse, and 1/2 on the coolant. All types of lathes use all types of motors, Gunsmith or not.

[Bill Murphy]

Whatever motor you select, be sure to ventilate the exhaust to the outside of the shop.

[Robin Lewis]

Or, take your motor to a repair shop and have it fixed. It can be rewound, new bushings and bearings...... etc. Whatever is wrong can be fixed.

[Daryl Corona]

Whatever motor you select, be sure to ventilate the exhaust to the outside of the shop.

Just for clarification;
A motor is powered by electric. An engine uses some type of fuel which needs ventilation.

[Dean Romig]

Ahem.... It has been my experience that a motor is powered by smoke. Without exception, each and every motor I have observed to fail was because the smoke leaked out.... when they stopped smoking they stopped running.






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[John Dallas]

I must admit that I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Romig, but if my failing memory is correct he worked at a Volvo Dealership for many years. If that is the case, then my former employer, Ford Motor, made the right decision to divest itself of Volvo, and let our friends in China deal with them.

[Bill Murphy]

I can't wait until the Chinese come out with a new 3/4 size Mini-PV-544. The 544 with the long gearshift is my favorite V-Car.

[Fred Lichtenstein]

Go to Grainger.com They have any and every motor you can dream up.
I have one lathe that uses a 1 HP motor, and another than has 15hp on the spindle and 3 on the rapid traverse, and 1/2 on the coolant. All types of lathes use all types of motors, Gunsmith or not.

Well, I started to compare rates for new motors… Unfortunately, I cannot spend much money now. I was browsing the Craigslist and there is a second used motor that has features similar to my electric motor. Here the model
https://www.mrosupply.com/motors/ac-motors/general-purpose-motors/26523_vm3546_baldor/
Except of the phase. I have single phase and this motor is for 3ph. The seller asks reasonable price. Have you tried to convert with VFD?

[Dean Romig]

I can't wait until the Chinese come out with a new 3/4 size Mini-PV-544. The 544 with the long gearshift is my favorite V-Car.

Wouldn't that be cool?!? In a flex-fuel model too :cool:

Those SU carbs on that B-18B engine were a neat design, especially after Volvo started using the Grose-jet float valve (237569-9 Volvo p/n) as a replacement for the original SU part. I met Henry Grose at his house and visited him a few times in his basement workshop. He lived in a very modest house in Stoneham, MA. where he made his Grose-jets from brass hexagonal bar stock. His secret (patented) to the long life of his float valve was the stainless steel ball at the tip of the needle. It wouldn't wear or stick like a conical brass needle would.
Then the nightmarish needle and jet. The more common needle was the DX (237315 Volvo p/n) but there were more than 10 needle sizes to choose from. The corresponding adjustable jets 237592 and 237593 ([front and rear respectively] Volvo p/n) were very easy to work on.... if you knew what you were doing. 1971 saw the first Bosch fuel injected models and that changed everything... right into the world of the super nightmarish electronic fuel injection :shock:

Sorry.... (I musta took lessons:corn:)





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[Daryl Corona]

Please excuse our resident gearheads, but you'll have to stick with a 1ph motor. A 3ph won't work. You might be able to find a local electrical motor shop that would be willing to rebuild your old motor.

[edgarspencer]

Well, I started to compare rates for new motors… Unfortunately, I cannot spend much money now. I was browsing the Craigslist and there is a second used motor that has features similar to my electric motor. Here the model
https://www.mrosupply.com/motors/ac-motors/general-purpose-motors/26523_vm3546_baldor/
Except of the phase. I have single phase and this motor is for 3ph. The seller asks reasonable price. Have you tried to convert with VFD?

Fred, That motor shown is a C-mount motor, and if the 3 phase motor bolted up, you would still have to spend money for either a VFD (variable frequency drive) or, at the least a simple capacitor phase changer (and then you're only going to get 2/3 the rated power of the 3 phase motor. Stick with a direct replacement, or get your motor rewound.

[mark cooper]

i had a problem with my lathe thought it was the motor but it was the variable speed pulley.had the motor checked and it was good if you think it is the motor take to an electric motor shop,i'm lucky to have a good one near me.good luck

[wayne goerres]

You can get single phase motors for most lathes from Grizzly or (as bad as I hate to recommend these guys) Harbor Freight. Single phase 110 220 3/4 horse for a little over $100.00. With there 20% coupons it will be pretty cheap.

[John Cinkoske]

Did the lathe successfully run the way it is currently hooked up, or has it recently been installed where it sits?
Here's why I ask...
I obtained an Enco lathe 30 years or so ago used from a mechanic's garage that was going out of business, and the power was shut off there.
It had a 110v cord on it.
We hooked it up at home and it had little power/speed.
I took the motor to the local motor guru, and he said it was a 220v motor hooked up for 110.
He wired it properly and furnished a proper plug for it for $20.00
We then wired a receptacle with the proper setup and have never looked back.
It runs great to this day. It's a nice little machine.
Your mileage may vary. :cool: