Lathe VFD 4: How to Install a 3-Phase Motor in a G0602 Lathe

Today we're swapping out the stock motor in the G0602 lathe for a new 3-phase motor that will work with the new VFD. This turned out to be much harder than expected because a couple of the motor mounting studs are nearly impossible to reach with ordinary wrenches.
I say it's "just about" impossible because it does turn out to be possible--just very, very hard. Lifting the lathe would have made it easier, while adding another level of complexity to the project.
If you're following along at home, here are the parts we're using for this variable-speed upgrade:
*This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Leeson 1800RPM D80 Motor: www.electricmotorwholesale.com...
Teco-Westinghouse L510 1HP VFD (Amazon*): amzn.to/2F2X7a8

[@aerocam2]

What you’ve done is exactly the direction I intend to go with my recently acquired G0602, so I’m glued to every word and learning. You’ve taken a lot of thefear out of it. Thank you for sharing with those of us having not yet traveled this path. 👍

[@phllint]

I love this series and all if them involving the 0602. I have the same lathe and love it but it needs these updates. I have the motor and vfd on the way. I am very ready for the lead screw change over but I am just not near as knowledgeable as you when it comes to these things. Just started to learn about them. Keep up the incredible things please. Thanks again

[@stevegunderson2392]

James must be some kind of engineer...really enjoyed the total coverage of VFD's...I anticipate doing the same thing for a Powermatic 90...I subscribed

[@Clough42]

You are correct. James is some kind of engineer.

[@paulbtracy]

This series has been sooooooo helpful, I have a lathe/mill combo which I am going to fit the exact same VFD and without these vids I would have been guessing, thank you.

[@BROCKWOOD64]

My combo is the G0773. What is yours Paul?

[@paulbtracy]

@@BROCKWOOD64 Mine is the Uk version of a G4015Z

[@6NBERLS]

Most excellent. This is becoming one of my favorite channels.

[@ericneering6357]

That was a great video. Dude learned a lot thanks you’re a very well organized explainer.

[@joeshomeshop]

Thanks for the reminder that seemingly simple jobs like “remove and reinstall motor” can be nightmares in reality. Great series and still very relevant in 2022.

[@donaldnaymon3270]

Nice job. Great conversation. Thank you for sharing.

[@arthurblackwell9076]

slow and steady does a neat job.

[@johnroot8215]

Thanks for the great information and clear presentation. It is really useful for those of us about to do the same thing as lathe motors from China do not seem to last very long.

[@Clough42]

Mine certainly didn't. Technically it worked, but I just can't stand to work with machines that are making unpleasant mechanical noises. They're just begging to be fixed.

[@Neptune730]

I stumbled across your videos for this VFD installation. I had to pause this video to say that I liked being able to see how you have some of your video equipment set up. It is nice to see. Most content creators don't show their set ups. I'm hoping to get my channel going soon. Still recovering from Hurricane damage. I also Just ordered both the G0602 and the G0704. But the main reason I paused the video was I wanted to mention. For the future you should get some Gearwrenches or the equivilent. Kobalt (at Lowes) makes some also. I used then 5 days a week for 12 years and love them. It would have made those motor nuts come off in no time. I have used both Kobalt and Gearwrench. I haven't used any other brand. Kobalt are good but Gearwrench are better IMHO. P.S. You have a new subscriber also. Thanks for the videos.

[@Clough42]

I actually looked at ratchet wrenches for exactly the reason you state, but there isn't enough room between the side of the nut and the mounting foot of the motor for the larger head of the wrench. And there isn't enough clearance off the end of the stud for any kind of socket. It's clear the motor was mounted on the frame at the factory before the electronics enclosure or anything else.

[@Neptune730]

@@Clough42 Oh wow that is tight back there. Well at least you got it. Loved the series.

[@shellfire9962]

Nice video! A little bit of coppergrease on the motorshaft wont harm. It will make it easier to get the pulley of for the next time.

[@cherhanamiya1]

I find it quite amazing that the Brain is " ABLE TO SEE " through our hands !!

[@MikeMcDonoughUS]

For anyone needing to install a pulley on an electric motor... Be careful using the bolt to draw the pulley onto the shaft as you don't want to break the bolt. If the pulley is too tight on the shaft, try heating up the pulley in the oven for a little while before installing it on the motor. Temps up to say 450 degrees F can be used with unpainted steel pulleys though that is hot enough to burn skin quickly. I used a temp around 250 degrees F successfully when installing a pulley on a 5 HP electric motor not too long ago. I did some light sanding inside the pulley (sand paper on a stick, spun by a drill) before heating up the pulley. Bolt was then able to pull the pulley onto the shaft with reasonable effort.

[@greatdane3343]

I came here to say this. Heat/shrink fit is a very gentle and effective way to install transitional and interference fits. Especially with aluminium on steel, as aluminium's it's co-efficient of thermal expansion is greater than steel, which is particularly helpful during removal.

[@dwightcarlson7136]

Am just completing the conversion to the same lathe. I am amazed that you were able to get that last nut tightened. I am lucky enough that I was able to use a small forklift to raise the lathe high enough to access and tighten that nut. I have no idea how you managed to do it without lifting the lathe.

[@davionjasper9179]

instaBlaster.

[@BROCKWOOD64]

Had to take the motor out of my Grizzly G0773. That lower rear nut is best tackled with a crowfoot on an extension. I'd sure like to learn how you figured the motor frame size. Well, it isn't listed on my motor.....

[@cdrive5757]

Hey Jimbo, I had a good laugh when you encountered the mystery motor mounting nuts @ 13:00. Many of us will attest to experiencing "mystery" hardware ever since China began flooding the world with their products. It was bad enough back when the U.S. folded like a cheap suit to Japan and other metric nations. This forced many of us old timers armed with a lifetime of (inherited) imperial tools to duplicate every damn tool type/size known to man. Most home shops are struggling to work in the limited space we have without having to double the damn space needed! My old back ain't appreciating all that unnecessary weight either! As for encountering the occasional mystery size that fits neither standard?... I have a fix! ... Over time all of us are going to accumulate duplicate tool sizes. Some of which are not top of the line and have no sentimental attachment to family and friends. in my shop these tools become candidates for the Stationary Grinder, Angle Grinder and Dremel Grinder. For those that say why not use an adjustable wrench? There are few tools I dislike more. I will search through hundreds of pounds to avoid using one. Thankfully, you won't find and adjustable Allen Wrench anyway! Wakodahatchee Chris

[@somebodyelse6673]

"As straight as a tool from Harbor Freight gets" - I chuckled, and didn't even feel guilty. I learned the hard way about gear pullers and pulleys, glad to see you got away with it.

[@Clough42]

Not totally sure I follow. Did you break a pulley? I imagine if the fit on the shaft were very tight, that could happen. But if it were that tight, I'm not sure how you'd ever get it off in one piece. Maybe heat...

[@somebodyelse6673]

Gear pullers used the normal way apply their force on a very small area of the thinnest part of that bottom edge. I've broken two cast aluminum pulleys that way, when the aluminum / steel shaft interface was corroded. Spread that force out, and the chance of damaging the pulley is greatly reduced. I've used steel straps between the puller hooks and the pulley, plates welded to the puller arms, and even a full circle plate with a slot for the shaft. Another good method, where the pulley construction allows, is to drill & tap holes in the pulley hub, bolt on a plate and spacers, and effectively apply your force right next to the shaft rather than out on the weak perimeter. I do always try the normal way first, but I won't apply much force if it's a pulley I need to use / save.

[@Neptune730]

@@somebodyelse6673 Thanks for the heads up on using the pullers. Good to know for the future.

[@AS-pq3hu]

Thank you for your hard work, you are an inspiration..

[@dzee9481]

Clough, Those combined wrenches used are always a PIA in tight places. I rather use the ratcheted versions so you don't have to keep pulling them on and off. But awesome job, fortunately the new motor was same fit compared to the old motor.

[@Clough42]

Not fortunate. Researched and chosen to fit. The ratchet wrenches won't work in this situation because there isn't room for the slightly larger head. Even an open end wrench jams if you turn it more than a few degrees.

[@dylanhughes9279]

Maybe one of those ratcheting combo wrenches would work well with those bottom nuts. As long as the ratchet clicks were fine enough. But I doubt you will ever need to pull that motor anytime soon.

[@Clough42]

I thought about it, but there's very little clearance around the nut, and I think the head of the wrench might be too wide. It would be worth a try.

[@bobbystanley8580]

I greatly appreciate your help in understanding this process!!! I need a vfd for a 5 hp 3phase motor on my table saw using single phase. Please suggest what I should get. Thanks!!!

[@Clough42]

Wow. 5HP is a lot or power for a single-phase input. That's almost 4KW, so you'd definitely need a 220v circuit. I'm not familiar with any VFDs in that kind of size, but there are many out there.

[@stanleyshapiro7605]

I see you have your lathe outfitted to the tray with adjustable feet beneath it... At any point is the lathe anchored to the bench it is resting upon? Does it operate vibration free?

[@drakkorvladimir4012]

Just got mine done (Shopfox 1099) and I was wondering what you ended up with on the V-belts? Did you find a happy medium belt combination?

[@warddan2002]

James, first off thank you for a really valuable and helpful video series. I've learned a lot from it. I was surprised to learn you could use a VFD with 110 Volt power that could then be used to create 220 volt three phase power. I am in a situation and wonder if you could provide some advice. Are there limits to how big a three phase motor can be before requiring 220v input using a VFD? I am in the process of building a home shop that will have ten three phase machines ranging in size from 1hp to 7.5 hp. Only one machine would run at a time. I wonder if I should run a 15hp rotary phase converter or go with individual VFDs? One thing about the rfc is the constant running of the motor (if I understand how those systems work) which with VFDs would make shop time more enjoyable. Any advice or reference material would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again. Dan

[@joer8486]

I have a 1 hp 3 phase motor to install along with a VFD on my G0602. The LEESON motor - 192057 - is 3425 RPM instead of 1725 rpm. The housing is the same type so fitment will not be a problem. What do you think about using the 3425 rpm motor vs the 1725 rpm.

[@timothyshaner8926]

Why do you still need the cog belt? Since the motor speed is controlled by the VFD,, you don't need to do belt changes.

[@anthonyflores9846]

How much did that grizzly cost you? Do you have to change gears when threading different pitches?

[@keithmonarch447]

Keith would like to know the complete $investment to drop the pulleys and whose VDF and the actual motor you are using? I'm returning this exact Lathe because high range setup, the belt wasn't miss aligned, caused the belt to run off. It was a piss poor design.

[@jamest.5001]

Looks like they would mounted the motor to a plate. Then the mounting poles can be easier to access

[@mfs5493]

If your lathe is anything like my similar model, then that plate to which the LH cover is fitted is not steel but a piece of ground CAST IRON. Drill a hole to see the chips and verify this.

[@Clough42]

Interesting. I'll be milling it at some point, to clearance for a servo.

[@gg48gg]

Would you recommend that Grizzly G0602 lathe? Would you buy it again for the same price? What lathe would you buy today for under $2500?

[@jimbob6048]

Hey James.....what size and make are the cooling fan you mounted on the back of the motor and electrical box enclosure!

[@ColtaineCrows]

Looks like just a "generic" 80mm case fan to me, might be a high CFM type, since I believe he mentioned it was a server fan. Anyway, something like this: www.amazon.com/GDSTIME-80mm-25mm-Brushless-Cooling/dp/B00N1Y50QQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=GDSTIME+80mm+x+80mm+x+25mm+12V+Brushless+DC+Cooling+Fan&qid=1568513186&s=electronics&sr=1-1

[@paulpridday9174]

If you were to start over on this would you go with the 0602 and do the new motor/VFD upgrade or just go with something like the G0752 with the variable speed built in? I'm assuming that the new motor and VFD you installed are a more robust system?

[@Clough42]

Good question. If I were in the market for a 10x22 benchtop lathe, it would probably be because price was important to me, and the G0752 is $1000 more. That seems like a lot to me.

[@paulpridday9174]

@@Clough42 Thanks for the quick reply. This is what I figured. Now I just need to find someone with an 0602 for sale with a clapped out motor. :-)

[@Bowtie41]

Since you will be using the gears,why not just set the VFD/motor to 60hz,and leave it??

[@samrodian919]

I know you didn't want to move the lathe,but it is obvious to me that the motor was installed to the lathe bed before if was planted on the chip pan. It would have taken far less time to unbolt the lathe bed and pan from the bench top and removed the pan from underneath the bed, turn the bed onto its front avoiding any damage to cross slide handle and unbolting the motor that way, and install the new motor. Far quicker than faffing around the way you did it.

[@Clough42]

You may be right. Sadly, the lathe weighs a little more than my best deadlift and I really didn't want to get the crane out and move equipment out of the way just to change a motor.

[@samrodian919]

@@Clough42 you haven't got any beefy mates? Lol

[@dbalderson89]

"That last one is going to be a bit of a bare.." I would venture it was probably a Grizzly :P

[@zorbmogar4083]

Are you still happy with the 1740 RPM 1HP motor? Are you having any threading issues, such as stalling? If you had to do it again would you stay with that 1 hp motor (the Leeson is not made anymore) or would you move to the Leeson 1.5 HP 3400 RPM motor? I'm thinking of doing the 3ph upgrade, my options are a 1HP Marathon 1740 RPM or 1.5hp Leeson 3450RPM

[@Clough42]

1HP has worked fine on this lathe. I have never needed to take the lathe off the middle belt position to do anything I've needed over the three or four years since I installed it. On that belt position, it will go from about 130RPM up to 2500. If I needed more torque, I could move to the low range and engage the back belt for more torque than the lathe could handle. I did purchase another 1HP motor for my drill press, and as you pointed out, the Marathon is the one that's available now.

[@cookingforone6359]

The wrench you needed was a crowsfoot

[@pravado81]

Oh yeah same issue I had with the new motor install.

[@Clough42]

Yeah, it's tight.

[@ThanasisThomas]

I dont have 3 phase where i live Can i buy asingle phase motor and use vfd on a single phase motor?? or has to be 3 phase?

[@Clough42]

The VFD takes single phase power as input and produces 3-phase power for the motor.

[@ThanasisThomas]

@@Clough42 you can't imagine how helpful you have been to me with ur answer god bless you and your family

[@rickhope8496]

So I ordered the motor and it has 6 posts not 9 posts, LESSON does not make a 9 post, you link is not correct.

[@Clough42]

I think they changed the terminal configuration. It should have the same nine wires coming up out of the motor, but instead of having one wire on each terminal and bridging the terminals together to connect them, they expect you to move the wires onto the same terminal to connect them.

[@rickhope8496]

Correct

[@billsmith5166]

Tell us the truth James. That fiddling with bolting the new motor on was just for the vid, right? The new motor is welded to the lathe isn't it? ; )

[@yanwo2359]

I tried to help hold that cover in place with my mouse, but it didn't seem to work. Sorry.

[@T0tenkampf]

I love grizzly tools but this video illustrates my two peeves with the green Chinese tools....poor motors and weird sized hardware. That tool didn't even look to have much run time before the motor gave out and it probably came in already rusty inside.

[@bobbystanley8580]

I think that going with a rotary phase converter is the appropriate route.

[@Clough42]

Seems reasonable for a table saw, which doesn't really need the variable speed.

[@bobbystanley8580]

Clough42 I do want a VFD for my 3/4 hp drill press.

[@Clough42]

I think a 1HP L510 would work well in that application. They make a version for 115V input, which I used, and also a 230V single-phase version.

[@forgottenheritagehomestead8448]

Yeah those motor nuts are a joke...I contacted Grizzly about it since technically you need to move the motor for tensioning the high speed belts and cog belt...nothing but crickets

[@nathanielmccormick7230]

So buy a 14 mm gear wrench. Thanks. (:

[@jameschaffe694]

We will call it 72mm 😂

[@banefsej]

haw many F word was deleted hahaha jk . gj

[@johnhall8455]

Not a good idea just randomly cutting wires when large capacitors are involved….they need to be discharged first…😉

[@gillerizedworksaws9561]

God I hate gear pullers I'm getting irritated at it and I'm not even the one using it 😂😂😂😂😂

[@waynepetrevan]

2.825"...... impressive for a measurement taken with a ruler!! Odd but I can't find the vid that preceeds this one, not knowing what to call it in a search, not seeing it in the vid list, trying to learn details for the motor since the link doesn't show the motor anymore......sadly this vid was about loosening and tightening nuts and bolts so, yawn, not very useful.....

[@Clough42]

I suppose if you searched for "clough42 lathe vfd" you'd find the other videos and the playlist.

[@frankpope4007]

Gee stop ragging on Harbor Freight no one forced you to buy from them!

[@T0tenkampf]

They are crap tools but sometimes that's all you need. Not ragging but reality.