Clausing 12" lathe

[Leggman]

I finally got my new to me lathe in the shop this week and hooked it up but Nothing happens when I flip the drum switch. I checked the voltage coming in and going out of my static converter and it is right. I am suspecting the antique magnetic switch on the back of the machine.
I already have a magnetic switch mounted on the wall for the 220 single phase to come in so I would like to bypass the one on the machine and go straight to the drum switch but I have limited experience wiring three phase stuff so I am kinda stuck until I can find someone who has been there and done that.
I would like to keep the drum switch so I can have a reverse.

 

[Leggman]

A 6" vise is overkill for a RF45 style mill. A 4" is more appropiate for that size mill & IMO 5" max. I have a 5" GMT vise on my PM45 & it's slightly too big. Not enough Y axis travel to make use of the 5" full capacity. Better to save your money rather than getting something too big & most importantly the weight. I take my vise of the table quite often, a 6" is still light enough for me to be carried by hand but I'm glad I have a 5". I also have a 4" vise as well. I prefer the 5" though.

But those GMT 6" Premium vises are pretty nice. I'd love to have one but don't need one on my current mill. But if you plan on upgrading to a full size knee mill in the future than the 6" will be perfect.


Here's what the 5" looks like on my mill.



I couldn't even complete this cut without my bellows & DRO scale getting in the way. Not enough Y travel & the 5" vise is not even maxed out.



Here's what a 6" vise looks like on another PM45 (gt40's)
View attachment 253544

 

[Leggman]

I found out today that the antique magnetic switch was bad and must be replaced also the static phase converter I have hooked to it is too small. A friend of mine has a 5 hp three phase motor he is going to give to me to use as a rotary converter. I will have to do some rewiring (third time) But I don't mind that at all. That's the fun stuff.