Delta DP350 conversion to DC

[rbertalotto]

I had converted my JET 1236 Lathe to DC with a 90V DC motor and a controller I bought from Surplus Center a few years ago.

https://rvbprecision.com/machine-to...lathe-dc-motor-conversion-jet-12-x-36-bd.html

Recently I converted my milling machine to 3 phase with a single phase to 3 phase VFD inverter and couldn't be more pleased. So I decided to do the same conversion to my lathe. This left me with a box of 90V DC parts. I recently picked up a Delta DP350 drill press with that "snowmobile" type variable speed. But it was beyond repair and there are zero parts available.

So I decided to convert it to variable speed DC drive. I had to repair the base as it had been dropped and the base was cracked where it meets the column. A piece of plate steel out of the junk pile and we were back in business.....Mount up the motor, fabricate a post to hold the controller and the tachometer....wire it up and Done!

Works fantastic! I had also converted a radial, long arm drill press to DC during covid. Here is an article about it before conversion

https://rvbprecision.com/machine-tools-welding/sprunger-rd33-radial-drill-press-refurbish.html

Photos of Delta Drill Press

 

[Choiliefan]

Did you remove the variable-sheave pulleys and/or the low/high mechanism adjacent to the motor?
What is your lowest usable speed with the new arrangement?

 

[rbertalotto]

Yes, one of the adjustable pulleys was cracked. I looked for a replacement for 6 month to no joy. Someone should 3D print these as lots of folks are looking for them. I installed three stage stepped pullys so I have a huge variety of speeds and keeping thr motor in its high torque range. On the middle step I have 0 to 600 RPM

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Very cool!
Nice work