- Joined
- Jun 12, 2014
- Messages
- 4,806
OK, I follow the costs now, your are talking the package upgrade. I would keep it between the 1340GT and the 1440BV, you also need to look at service and support. It is a toss up between the two, as to what is more important. The 1440BV is an easy setup and will work very well out of the crate. But if fit and finish is high on your list, then I would swing to the 1340GT. The 1440GT a substantial price hike, so it is in another category and no price room for a VFD. The big question is what type of machining you want to do and what is high priority on your list. It is very rare that you will be doing a project that you will need a bigger lathe, and unlikely a 1440 would work any better.
On the VFD, many of us have started out with the basics and learned as we go, but it is a big expense to have as a boat anchor if you run into problems. My main concern with the 1340GT was not having a brake, most of this is physiological as I could have learned otherwise. But having the electronic brake gives one much more confidence that the machine will stop quickly. Still a mechanical brake is more foolproof. Push a VFD beyond its braking capacities and it will unexpectedly freewheel. I do not believe installing a VFD (electrically) is that difficult, there is lots of information and posting with pictures as to how to do the wire hookup. The basic wiring is not too difficult, but designing, building and wiring a full system replacement is more daunting especially if you do not have the electrical background in these things. Purchasing a full control system replacement is costly, but there is very little to figure out with the install. Alan installed a system, this gives you an idea of what is involved and he also detailed the VFD enclosure build elsewhere; http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/jacobs-vfd-control-system-installed-on-pm1340gt.55294/ . Programming the VFD can be a pain, but at least all the parameters have been worked out, and once you start doing it it should become more familiar. It is hard for anyone of us to say what is the better route. If you do have a local electrician or someone to help then you than I would consider installing a VFD system, otherwise the 1440BV makes it very simple and you save some $$. I wish the factory made a VFD 1340GT, I asked when I bought mine, but had to go down the rabbit hole and managed to build a VFD system. It took me 3 months to get it worked out.
On the VFD, many of us have started out with the basics and learned as we go, but it is a big expense to have as a boat anchor if you run into problems. My main concern with the 1340GT was not having a brake, most of this is physiological as I could have learned otherwise. But having the electronic brake gives one much more confidence that the machine will stop quickly. Still a mechanical brake is more foolproof. Push a VFD beyond its braking capacities and it will unexpectedly freewheel. I do not believe installing a VFD (electrically) is that difficult, there is lots of information and posting with pictures as to how to do the wire hookup. The basic wiring is not too difficult, but designing, building and wiring a full system replacement is more daunting especially if you do not have the electrical background in these things. Purchasing a full control system replacement is costly, but there is very little to figure out with the install. Alan installed a system, this gives you an idea of what is involved and he also detailed the VFD enclosure build elsewhere; http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/jacobs-vfd-control-system-installed-on-pm1340gt.55294/ . Programming the VFD can be a pain, but at least all the parameters have been worked out, and once you start doing it it should become more familiar. It is hard for anyone of us to say what is the better route. If you do have a local electrician or someone to help then you than I would consider installing a VFD system, otherwise the 1440BV makes it very simple and you save some $$. I wish the factory made a VFD 1340GT, I asked when I bought mine, but had to go down the rabbit hole and managed to build a VFD system. It took me 3 months to get it worked out.
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