What would you get?

[woodchucker]

I get 60amps through my 20amp breaker most times. My tablesaw has a 60amp inrush on startup. Most times I get it to start, on occasion it pops the breaker.

 

[pjturner]

Some background info:

Current shop service is maxed out so only have 120 volt/20 amp outlets available. In order to get more 220 outlets I would need to have 300 yards of new cable trenched in and a 200 amp service installed. Not on my agenda due to cost. Only 220 outlet is dedicated in an area far away from where I would place a mill and/or lathe and is in the welder/grinder area of my shop.

Even though most people feel a lathe should be the first machine tool purchase the projects I have slated are primarily geared for a milling machine. One example is a square coupler, 1” hole bored through it, with a 1/4” key way and 2 threaded holes for set screws. It connects a hydraulic motor to a shaft that turns a canvas roller on a swather(farm equipment).

Looking a mills I have narrowed it down to the PM 727V and the PM 728VT. I will be primarily working with steel and only occasionally aluminum. Torn between the better fit and finish of 728 Taiwan machine or more heft/powerful gear head Chinese 727.

When finances allow for lathe purchase looking at PM 1228VF-LB. Would love to hear any feedback on choices or other alternatives.

Retired lineman here. Have you talked with your electric company? If you are increasing load, they may co-operate with a service upgrade. No idea how YOUR electric company operates, but it is worth a call.

Some background info:

Current shop service is maxed out so only have 120 volt/20 amp outlets available. In order to get more 220 outlets I would need to have 300 yards of new cable trenched in and a 200 amp service installed. Not on my agenda due to cost. Only 220 outlet is dedicated in an area far away from where I would place a mill and/or lathe and is in the welder/grinder area of my shop.

Even though most people feel a lathe should be the first machine tool purchase the projects I have slated are primarily geared for a milling machine. One example is a square coupler, 1” hole bored through it, with a 1/4” key way and 2 threaded holes for set screws. It connects a hydraulic motor to a shaft that turns a canvas roller on a swather(farm equipment).

Looking a mills I have narrowed it down to the PM 727V and the PM 728VT. I will be primarily working with steel and only occasionally aluminum. Torn between the better fit and finish of 728 Taiwan machine or more heft/powerful gear head Chinese 727.

When finances allow for lathe purchase looking at PM 1228VF-LB. Would love to hear any feedback on choices or other alternatives.

 

[north1]

Retired lineman here. Have you talked with your electric company? If you are increasing load, they may co-operate with a service upgrade. No idea how YOUR electric company operates, but it is worth a call.

Everything after the transformer pole is landowner/homeowner responsibility. They would only add a larger transformer with increased load.
In response to a previous poster I have converted fluorescent’s to LED over workbench. Plan on doing it in office area shortly. But banked lights on ceiling are wired in series and if I am not mistaken you can only run up to 8-10 LED’s when hooked in series. I would be substantially over this amount. Am I wrong?

 

[north1]

I should say meter pole because sometimes transformer is not always associated with that particular pole.

 

[SRay53TxTn]

I have the PM 728VT & PM 1228VF-LB for my small garage hobby area and have worked with aluminum and steel for all my projects and really no issues. Those were at the top of my budget range so I did the best I could with my budget and power limitations.

 

[woodchucker]

Everything after the transformer pole is landowner/homeowner responsibility. They would only add a larger transformer with increased load.
In response to a previous poster I have converted fluorescent’s to LED over workbench. Plan on doing it in office area shortly. But banked lights on ceiling are wired in series and if I am not mistaken you can only run up to 8-10 LED’s when hooked in series. I would be substantially over this amount. Am I wrong?

yes and no. some are some aren't limited. BUT, you can always split the line at the starting point, and run each line in series, then the next off the split, and the next. That way the load on each is lower, but you still benefit by one ckt.

 

[Just for fun]

North1, Do you have a clamp-on AMP meter, this may have already been covered. If you do you can check to see how much each circuit is drawing and from there you can decide which circuits to combine to free up a couple of location.... Or just run another set of wire off of your welding circuit breaker to your lathe, I'm not positive but my guess is that a 40 amp circuit will do just fine. And your not going to be using them both at the same time.

Here is an inexpensive clamp-on, I can't vouch for the quality but I'm sure for no more then you will be using it, I bet it will be fine.

Loading…

www.amazon.com

 

[north1]

yes and no. some are some aren't limited. BUT, you can always split the line at the starting point, and run each line in series, then the next off the split, and the next. That way the load on each is lower, but you still benefit by one ckt.

I am trying to envision what you are describing. Would this split require extra wiring? I say that because some of the 1/2” conduit would have too many conductors if that was required. Also these are double 8’ fluorescents. Don’t know if that makes a difference as far as how many LED replacement’s can be run in series.

 

[north1]

North1, Do you have a clamp-on AMP meter, this may have already been covered. If you do you can check to see how much each circuit is drawing and from there you can decide which circuits to combine to free up a couple of location.... Or just run another set of wire off of your welding circuit breaker to your lathe, I'm not positive but my guess is that a 40 amp circuit will do just fine. And your not going to be using them both at the same time.

Here is an inexpensive clamp-on, I can't vouch for the quality but I'm sure for no more then you will be using it, I bet it will be fine.

Loading…

www.amazon.com

Yes I have a Klein clamp on and when I get a chance I plan on checking it out. Currently busy trying to haul grain and prepare for an impending snow storm on Tuesday. So many projects so little time.

 

[Just for fun]

Yes I have a Klein clamp on and when I get a chance I plan on checking it out. Currently busy trying to haul grain and prepare for an impending snow storm on Tuesday. So many projects so little time.

Man, Do I hear that load and clear! Good luck with getting all your grain hauled and you get all prepared for the snow before it hits!