Anyone know if it is possible to put a VFD on a Jet 1442VS so you can get finite speed adjustments? It appears to have a standard induction motor so I am thinking it may be possible. I would be looking at a single phase 115V VFD as I do not have 220V in my shop at the moment.
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Jet 1442VS modification?
- Thread starter Rob Gabel
- Start date
Traditionally, the VFD supplies a 3 phase motor. You can buy a single phase to single phase, but it's pretty big money. https://www.amazon.com/Single-Output-Variable-Frequency-Control/dp/B0899T3QQ4?th=1
Yes, it's possible, but you're starting from a Reeves drive, so you'd have to replace the pulleys and include a way to loosen/tighten/change the belt.
Why? He doesn't have to. Just use the reeves drive like the lathes that use step pulleys and VFDs.
Rob, you'll hate yourself for trying if you try to do that modification. Sell the lathe for what you can get, add the money you would have spent to the do the modification, and get yourself and lathe with EVS.
Brent, I may have an opportunity to purchase this as a used lathe. I currently have a Laguna 12/16 (with the bed extension) and am looking for a larger swing lathe. I might just need to keep saving so I can come and pickup a Scout or Sweet 16. 
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
you would have to change the motor abd buy a drive. Either DC with variable speed or AC 3 phase motor with VFD. You can't make your motor variable speed. The first 2 options are going to be expensive. One alternative is to cannibalize a cheap used treadmill and use that motor and controller.
Agree with Brent. Sell it and invest in a Roust. My American Beauty is over 7 years old and I could sell it for what I paid for it, but there is no way I’m going to sell it. It runs as good as the day I put it in my shop and has turned well over 500 bowls plus many other turnings. I’ve bee turning over 50 years and have had 6 differ lathes including a Powermatic 3520.
A. The sheaves are moveable, which introduces some slop and imprecision that an inexpensive, fixed pulley would not have.
B. The sheaves are 'fragile' compared with a fixed pulley.
C. Getting rid of the spring and lever mechanism frees up space inside the headstock. Not sure what you'd do with the extra room, but simpler is usually gooder.
But none of those 3 reasons will prevent him from turning wood. I think you're stretching all 3, but room in the headstock? Come on! That's one feature I have never seen anyone ask for in a wood lathe.
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Last time I looked the 120V input VFD's were limited to 1 hp, three phase output. The one I have doesn't work with a couple of the larger frame 1 hp three phase motors I have.
Did you look at the one I linked to?
Sorry, I did miss that link. Do you have one of those VFD's?
You can't get blood out of a turnip. The 120V unit I have is rated for only 1 hp on a 20A circuit. and it doesn't even do that on older large frame motors with heavy armatures.
I'm a bit suspicious of that unit being sold on Amazon. No support through Amazon (I bought a piece of electronic test equipment through Amazon. When I complained about the lack of an English language manual they gave me a link to support in China where no one understood English). The online outfits that specialize in VFD's provide some support. Their description interchanges 110V and 120V (?). What size breaker, 30A?
The 2.2 kw number does seem to pencil out, but what about starting current and running under load?
I guess I'll be skeptical until proven wrong.