http://www.accessflabuilders.com/electric-wood-lathe/
What type of electric motor can be reversible?
I need to have a wood Turning Lathe that can rotate in both directions, without turning the headstock 180 degrees. Which type of motor do I need that would enable me to be able to stop the one direction and reverse it with a switch? I need it to be able to reverse for sanding purposes, but am not exactly sure how to do it. Thank you!
I also have a wood turning lathe, and rather than use a motor, it’s easier to buy a slightly larger belt and put a figure 8 twist in the belt. This will cause it to spin in the other direction with NO wiring and at a substantially lower cost.
If you already have a cone pulley (a pulley with three sizes for changing speeds) this is relatively easy. Usually the driving pulley (on the motor) will line up most closely with the middle one on the cone, so select the slower speed for sanding. This will also be safer, as there is slightly more risk that the blet will climb off the pulley when it is twisted.
If you have one of those fancy Variable Speed motors, I suggest that you take a wood block and turn a pulley that you can mount on the headstock shaft in lieu of the motor itself.
I find that when I have sanded a piece most of the way, I can shut the motor off and rotate the piece by hand to take off the fine fibers with some scotchbrite or a handful of shavings. It is not always necessary to revers the spin for sanding. But good luck and have fun!
10 NOV 08, 0353 hrs, GMT.