22 replies to this topic

[GraemeC]

Many spares and accessories are still available new, from Myford.

[Icey]

There was a thread about this a few months back. Generally, to do accurate automotive stuff (heads, blocks etc..) you'll need machinery that is outside of the home-gamer world. That's not to say you can't buy and use it but you'll need lots of space, 3-phase power and time/materials to learn how to drive the machines.

 

I bought a 'cheap' bench-top vertical mill a year or two back, not because I want to do automotive work but because I enjoy learning the basics of metal working. However, it is a very useful tool to have when you do run into a automotive task that needs accurate drilling or light/small milling.

 

For example, the bed on my mill is big enough to clamp an A-series head to. The machine isn't rigid enough to skim the head or anything like that (I do wonder if it could do valve seats, though), but for things like snapped thermostat housing studs/bolts, it's great. I can accurately center, mill and then (reverse) drill out the broken stud/bolt. Doing that by hand puts the head at risk as it's very difficult to use hand-held tools to anything like the same accuracy.

 

With regards to what machine to buy - the bigger the better is a general rule but you have to be realistic about what you can afford and what you'll use it for. And I'd look for a good condition, used, older machine (of whatever type you want) . Lathes are a great example where the WW2 era machines can still perform very well when equipped with modern tooling (quick-change tool posts, DROs, etc.. etc..) but you need to be careful as they'll have had years and years of industrial use.

 

One caveat - I, personally, have never run any large machine - I'd love to, but I don't work in that world - so I'd take advice from anyone with real world experience over anything I've said!

Edited by Icey, 24 September 2020 - 10:09 PM.

[ACDodd]

I agree on the size of the machine, I use a Colchester student 6 X 24inch Roundhead lathe converted to variable speed and higher speed (2000+ rpm). It machines crankshafts flywheels and anything car sized using a 3 hp motor and a jaguar Variable frequency drive. I can even machine 60HRc steel using CBN inserts. I have also skimmed a-series heads to (and yes it is possible to keep them flat).
I also have an Excel machine tools 2V milling machine which doubles up as my head centre too. This has a 3hp motor and again I use a VFD to reduce the power consumption when carrying out light machine operations like skimming heads etc. It has a 49inch table.
I have 2 pillar drills, one bench and one floor mounted. The bench mounted machine is also converted to variable speed drive using a Chinese vfd and a 3/4hp 6 pole motor.

Happy to show you around if you like.

The point is you don’t need 3 phase power but you do need big single phase supply. I have a 16mmsq cable fused to 60amps into
my shop there is more than enough power to scare the average home Machinist with. 3hp lathe or mill when running at full load! A rotary phase converter is easier to wire in and saves requiring each machine to have its own VFD. However the energy’s savings from a VFD equipped motor are massive. For example I have configure my milling machine to use only 500watts of power to skim a head for example. Using direct on line connection it would use around 1500watts!!! The other cool thing is control, variable speed is essential for maximising tool life in the cut.

I am a VFD convert!

Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 25 September 2020 - 12:33 PM.

[Icey]

Apologies I deleted your post by accident!!

Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 29 September 2020 - 07:31 AM.

[Spider]

 

I am a VFD convert!

Ac

Really interested in this - I've not run into them but if I can get the space I want then I'll be looking for bigger machines but the power supply was always going to be a problem.

 

 

There's a few electronic drives available for single and three phase motors, some of the smaller ones will work from a single phase supply and have a 3 phase output.

 

Just be aware though, not all motors work well or for long with them.

[Shooter63]

You need a 3 phase motor that car be run in delta and star to use an inverter, most of the motors fitted to machinery will, as it allowed the manufacturer to use one motor for different countries where 3 phase is at different voltages. A big problem is that large machines run large motors meaning the inverter needs to be big and they get quite expensive. I originally wanted a DSG lathe but the pure weight of it and the motor size meant that was a no no, so ended up with a Harrison m250 and that was still a pig to get into the workshop ( it goes around 600kg I think)

Shooter

[ACDodd]

I fitted new inverter duty motors to all my machines. All run the single phase in 3 phase out type. Saves a fortune in electricity and no huge inrush currents when starting.

Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 28 September 2020 - 11:52 PM.

[ACDodd]

Just need a sensible cable feed into your workshop. I use a 60amp fused 16mmsq single phase line from the leccy meter straight to the workshop. I can run the lathe 3hp motor and mill 3hp derated to 1.6hp) and a 3hp compressor. Can run all this boil a kettle and run a 3kw fan heater all at the same time if I want no problems. 3 phase is not needed in a home workshop if you plan it properly.

Ac