Busted 30 lb welding spools

Iggy,

If you use your lathe keep in mind what would happen if the spool becomes unconstrained. I've made a few springs and just having a few feet of spring wire and a lathe in combination is something I both fear and respect.

Let me say this another way, I've seen a damaged spool come apart and wire flys everywere, you don't want to be around it if the other end of the wire is being sucked onto a spool under power.

Wes

flys everywere,

I thought that it would be safer to use a hand drill on a foot pedal.

"Ignoramus26424" wrote in message news:EqqdnU6qKt6pML7QnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com...

I like your foot pedal idea! In fact, I have one on my drill press and I'm spoiled rotten with it. Everyone should have one. phil k.

flys everywere,

onto a spool

I've always considered you a smart man :)

Wes

Why didn't I think of that?

I wonder if one could slow down the spindle more quickly by configuring a relay to:

--Winston

Shorting the power leads together (with a length of wire) is a common practice to stop motors more quickly in cordless power tools (circular saws, for example), but they have permanent magnet motors. PM motors act as generators when spun, so while they coast after the power is cut off, shorting the motor terminals will brake the generator/motor.

This method doesn't work with induction/split-phase motors.

Simple friction/magnet brakes are available for induction motors, and motors with integral brakes are available. The typical integral brake works with an extended shaft sticking out the "back" end of the motor. Similar brakes are available for installation on almost any shaft with stationary material nearby.. they release when energized, and set/apply when de-energized, so it's almost instantaneous with the motor's power switch, no additional parts/components required.

Perhaps D.C. injection?

--Winston

I've read that injecting high current DC into 3-phase motors is a method of stopping them, but I don't recall reading anything similar for single-phase motors. One reason may be that the actual ends of the windings aren't externally accessible on most single-phase motors (rarely are).

If one were to try the DC injection method with a single-phase motor, and I can't think of anyone better qualified than you (no, really), they may need to make connections to the actual ends of the stator (run?) winding(s), especially if the motor is a capacitor start and/or split-phase motor. I don't think passing the DC current thru the centrifugal switch would be appropriate.. certainly not appropriate for the capacitor.

The only AC motors, other than 3-phase motors, that I'm aware of that are designed to be stopped (and reversed) quickly are PSC motors. This is one of their features. They essentially act like a 2-phase motor, but are powered with single-phase AC.

Putting a little DC into a single phase motor works well. Does not have to be high current or much voltage. The current going thru the field windings creates a magnetic field and induces currents in the turning armature. You do not have to worry about the starting winding if you only use a few volts ( like 6 volts or less ) and take it off when the motor is stopped.

Dan

Cool!

Thanks Dan and Wild Bill.

--Winston

Indeed - you can put a diode in series with the power line and a normally closed momentary toggle switch across the diode. That makes a pretty good braking mechanism for, say, a bench grinder.

Simple is good. Thanks!

--Winston

Hey, thanks for asking Winston.

It's great to have some actual working examples to contemplate.

Hi Iggy, you should already have heaps of empty spools lying around - they are great for winding power cords, ropes, cables, aerials, etc on. I get mine from trade school, and local shops that use a lot of MIG wire. Yours for the asking. (Dumpster Diving?)

Rig up a Cupple of supports so the spools can turn, go for it. You want to spend five years developing a machine to do it, well........someone here will come up with a Good Idea fer sure...

Andrew VK3BFA.