Changing Drive Motor

[Jim Koepke]

A person who used to be a coworker now repairs exercise equipment.

He had a tread mill with good motor and controls that he gave to me.

I have heard these can be used to run a lathe.

I know about the magnetic sensor.

Any other pitfalls to watch for?

Has anyone had good success with this type of conversion?

tia,

jtk

[Jerry Marcantel]

I started out with a2 hp treadmill motor and controls. It would start spinning about 25 rpm with full 2 hp up to 3210 rpm. I made a pulley to slow it down to 1605 rpm.... I also screwed up and left it uncovered, and the sun burnt out the control board.... You'll love the soft start....... Jerry (in Tucson)

[Lester Whaymett]

I didn't know treadmills had such big motors. Very interested to see a conversion like this.
~LW

[Will Winder]

I have a 1.5HP treadmill motor that I'm planning to put on my lathe one of these days. The electronics with my motor takes a very specific input, so I need to make a custom speed controller for it.

Some treadmills have a knob to control the speed, in that case you just need to rig the motor in place and start using it.

[Jim Koepke]

Thanks to all for the replies.

It will be awhile before this all takes place. Have a few more weeks of making items to sell at the local Farmers Market before I want to start tinkering with the lathe. May end up being in the colder months when it is too cold for glue to work right.

jtk