My New Shop

[dcmus]

Just a little update. Air lines almost finished. Half inch black pipe, one drop at the compressor, two more drops on each wall and an industrial style hose reel at the big door. The hose reel originally designed for power washer hose but did some trading with a friend so no out of pocket cost The phase converter package finally shipped after sitting on someone's desk for a week, LOL, and should arrive Saturday. On a side note I came across a Lincoln Idealarc R3R 400 welder on Craigs List. Called the guy and it came from Fort Sill when they closed a motor pool service center. The seller was in charge so he bought as surplus. Fast forward 3 years and it's still sitting in his shop and he doesn't have 3 phase. I met him yesterday and it doesn't have the power cord or leads but appears to be in great condition with only on small scuff in the paint. I let him talk himself down from $750 to $500 and decided to take a chance. Time will tell if it works and if I can "run" it but it works I can make a buck if nothing else. Oh...it also accepts a 300 amp TIG module as well. They sell for about $3300 new

 

[jbmatth]

I think that welder earns you the coveted YOU **** award! Congrats on the purchase.
JB

 

[dcmus]

Is there a plaque I can purchase?

 

[dcmus]

Thanks for all the views and questions! A little background........I'll soon be 70 and started down this path about 4 years ago. Had always been interested in machining but no background at all. I was rehabbing a commercial building at the time and had loads of room so set aside about 700 sq/ft and had electrical done at the same time. First lathe I bought was junk, live and learn, 2nd was a HF 8x18. It was very limited but I convinced myself that I could learn and needed a more capable machine Next lathe was a 12x36 ShenWai, Taiwan, machine which I found was severly worn. It was a back gear lathe so speed changes were a pain. As I discovered it's needs I disassembled, measuered, reassembled, made replacement parts, etc, etc until It was in reasonable condition. ABout 2 1/2 years ago a friend gave me a sweetheart deal on the Shop Fox for $1000. That's a story all it's own It's a gear head lathe and pretty good machine for what it is. I've cut threads, metric threads which was an adventure,. and actualy made a little money with it. As things progressed the same friend said "I'd use you for this but it's too big for you"" and that brings us to the present. Is it difficult? It has certainly taken a while but I've enjoyed it. I sold my business recently and this is something I've looked forward to so we'll see how it goes.

 

[dcmus]

As for 3 phase I am definitely not an expert. I have talked to a couple local people who've done the same thing. My machinist mentor actually built his own panel. I've also read quite a bit on the Hobby Machnist and Home Shop Machnist forums and that's been a big help. As I understand it you need three things: sufficient two phase power, a three phase motor which serves as the converter, and a conversion panel. The panel will have "run" capacitors for the existing two phase power and a "start" capacitor which excites the third leg in the converter motor. Once excited the third leg is self perpetuating. Then you hook the three phase machines to the converter. In my case I can't operate more than one at a time so I can hook the big lathe and three phase welder and having the lathe powered up actually allows the convereter motor to be more efficient or so I'm told. Let me emphasize I'm repeating things I've heard and read. Your results may vary and please consult with an expert

 

[drivesitfar]

Dc: great post about you and your lathe experience. Just curious if you didnt own two lathes now which lathe might be on your radar for the one to use? Im turning 60 in a couple months and am heading in the direction you are because i always wanted to build something and life always got in the way and still does sometimes.

Any pics of the welder and how much experience do you have with welding?

 

[Bib Overalls]

I have a 7.5 HP rotary phase converter that I start with a panel that I got from eBay seller Phase Craft. I am going to upgrade to a 10 HP at some point. My 3 HP lathe runs fine but my 3 HP mill bogs down under load at high speeds.

You don't really need a start/run panel. If you can get the 3 phase rotary turning it will make 3 phase power at about 2/3 of its rated HP. For smaller converters you can use a rope pull. On larger converters you can use a 1 phase motor to slave start the converter.

My friend Barry has a 25 HP rotary converter at his shop. When he is using 3 phase he leaves it on all day once it is running. When converters are idling they use very little power. Starting a rotary with a panel supposedly takes more power than idling all day.

He really like three phase welding.

 

[dcmus]

I have a 7.5 HP rotary phase converter that I start with a panel that I got from eBay seller Phase Craft. I am going to upgrade to a 10 HP at some point. My 3 HP lathe runs fine but my 3 HP mill bogs down under load at high speeds.

You don't really need a start/run panel. If you can get the 3 phase rotary turning it will make 3 phase power at about 2/3 of its rated HP. For smaller converters you can use a rope pull. On larger converters you can use a 1 phase motor to slave start the converter.

My friend Barry has a 25 HP rotary converter at his shop. When he is using 3 phase he leaves it on all day once it is running. When converters are idling they use very little power. Starting a rotary with a panel supposedly takes more power than idling all day.

He really like three phase welding.

I'm only repeating what I've heard Bib Overalls............Another friend has a similar set up using a panel from the same mfg. He has a 3 phase mill and a HUGE 3 phase chop saw. If the mill is not running/on the chop saw struggles to start. If mill is running no problems. Just reporting the news as I heard it, don't claim to understand. I have been told that this set up is more efficient that the "static" set up you described but I have no experience. Maybe someone else can chime ine?

 

[dcmus]

Dc: great post about you and your lathe experience. Just curious if you didnt own two lathes now which lathe might be on your radar for the one to use? Im turning 60 in a couple months and am heading in the direction you are because i always wanted to build something and life always got in the way and still does sometimes.

Any pics of the welder and how much experience do you have with welding?

Tough question Drivestitfar. I have no plans to get rid of the Shop Fox. It's capable for what it is. It's not real rigid as it's a 1200# machine and the spindle bore is 1 5/8" which definitely limits it. The Summit lathe is 8,000# with a 4 1/8" bore. My machinist mentor hooked it up =. It was in his way so he made parts and I know it runs although I have NO first hand experience yet. Same friend also has a sister machine that's 60" long instead of 120" and he speaks well of it. If I were only doing "hobby" work the 12x36 is a great machine. As a "business" the big machine is the next level. Apologies for such a long answer.

As for welding..........VERY little experience. Worked for a truck fleet operation in the late 70's and they showed me how to run a bead and how to braze. I caught on pretty fast although I had no theory. Fast forward to now.........It will be a learning curve. We do have a local Vo-Tech and will probably take a course or two time permitting.

I'll try and get some more pictures tomorrow.

 

[drivesitfar]

DC: any more pictures? thanks for your 411 and loving your shop so keep posting pictures and projects as you can. as i get some more of my shelving up and my steel put away i'll take a few pictures that might give you a few ideas.

you might start looking for some racks like they use at Costco and Home Depot for shelving for your stuff. nice thing about them is that you don't need a shelf near the floor so you can roll tool boxes or machines under them and have storage above them so you don't have to put your supplies outside in the weather.

here's a rack i have in my storage unit that holds maybe 5000 pounds per shelf with the little metal supports under 3/4 inch press board.
good luck

 

[dcmus]

DC: any more pictures? thanks for your 411 and loving your shop so keep posting pictures and projects as you can. as i get some more of my shelving up and my steel put away i'll take a few pictures that might give you a few ideas.

you might start looking for some racks like they use at Costco and Home Depot for shelving for your stuff. nice thing about them is that you don't need a shelf near the floor so you can roll tool boxes or machines under them and have storage above them so you don't have to put your supplies outside in the weather.

here's a rack i have in my storage unit that holds maybe 5000 pounds per shelf with the little metal supports under 3/4 inch press board.
good luck

I will definitely need something like that. Four years ago I was curious and it's grown into a potential business. I have 5 acres and two 12x20 enclosed shed/car port buildings behind the shop. Have thought about concrete. They're alreadly enclosed on three sides so it wouldn't be a big job. Just worried about the tweakers and "free' metal

 

[Bib Overalls]

The panels are certainly convenient. I have been told that the more motors you have on a three phase circuit fed from a rotary converter the "purer" the phasing becomes. When my mill bogs down turning on the lathe helps. Wierd science.

 

[drivesitfar]

DC: since scrap prices are so low right now you might want to put a few of the lesser valuable steel pieces out in the covered less secured areas and see if you have a theft issue. putting up a few signs that mention you have cameras whether you do or not will deter most of the idiots, but putting up a few cameras and some good lighting might be your best answer.

good luck