KWL 1443 spindle...

Posted by D. Browne on 2021 Aug 18th

The KWL 1443 is overall not a bad lathe for the money but there is one particular spec rating that is misleading: The low end speed. The spec's say it can run as slow as 650RPM but that is not the case. I own this lathe and it actually only slows down to about 690 RPM. This is way too fast for certain applications such as sanding or starting a work piece that is not perfectly balanced. Unfortunately due to the the "Clutch pulley system" this cannot be changed and according to a local motor repair shop, an electric speed control will not work as this motor is not an induction unit and would fail if one were to try using an electronic speed control to reduce the motor speed. It may be possible to mount the direct drive digital headstock from the KWL 1643 but it is questionable whether the cost would be worth it Since the existing motor mount is a cast system that is part of the motor housing, it doesn't look as if any other motor can be used.