I was able to pick up a used renzetti rod lathe and am attempting to learn how to use it. It came with what appears a home made box with like a dimmer switch or fan control knob and outlet. the foot switch plugs into the outlet and the knob seems to control the speed somewhat.I guess what I am asking is..... there a better way to slow the lathe down? say with a solidstate varaible foot switch and eliminate the "box". I would like to have better control on the speed of the lathe. I would appreciate any info you guys have as to what I could do ....I love the lathe and want to get it fine tuned.
Thanks in advance for the asistance.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/10/2019 08:54AM by Bryan Bradford.

Bryan,
One thing that May help is to reverse the order of connection.

i.e. plug the box into the wall switch and then plug the pedal into the box.

Also, if your wrapper has a stepped pulley, be sure that the belt is on the smallest step in the pulley and the wrapper head stock is using the largest step in its pulley. i.e. this will give you greatest amount of speed reduction.

Best wishes

You could scrap that set up and obtain a new motor and solid state foot control. Probably looking at $200 or so. I can get you the numbers on my 1/10 Dayton motor, which I think is the all around best set up for this lathe.

...............

Bryan
Foredom foot control solid state . I bought mine a few years back from the manufacturer online for approximately $35. I would try to contact them to see if they have a foot pedal to accommodate your motor.

Wow, congratulations on picking up that amazing piece of machinery , i would take Tom up on his offer the Dayton motors are absolute top notch and are built to last . The archives have the info you're looking for because i remember a post that listed all the options and various motors recommended . If all else fails Roger will get it to work with his recommendations , the guy lives and breathes rod building machinery .

Dayton also makes a solid state speed control. I’ve been using one for years on my Clemens lathe. I plug my foot pedal in the outlet then the motor is plugged into the speed control and then the control is plugged into the foot control

Thanks for the input. I followed Bill's advise with the Foredom foot pedal, and chatted with Roger about the DC setup. I have the DC items on order and I appreciate all the help!!!

Roger put together a DC motor setup for me on my Renzetti . Extremely fine speed control, with reverse capabilities He did an outstanding job. Roger knows what he’s talking about when it comes to electronics. I just wish I could get use to power wrapping I use the 1/10 HP Dayton motor for turning grips. Thanks Roger!
Norm

I would agree that Roger knows what he is doing!! He was able to put my mind at ease before I started to order of bunch of parts that I didn't need or that were wrong..... I'm looking forward to building the controls and getting things setup for DC. I did use the foredom pedal for the first time yesterday and am pleased with how "slow" I am able to turn the blank.