Re: Bridge port pulley and timing system modification
In the Bridgeport J head, the gear is used in low speed, not high speed. High speed is direct drive from the spindle pulley. It would be possible to remove the low speed idler shaft and still run the machine just fine.
Stay with a 1500 RPM (4 pole) motor. It has twice the torque of the same power 3000 RPM (2 pole) motor.
Installing a 3 HP, 1500 RPM motor is OK, it will run at 3600 RPM (or more) just fine with a sensorless vector VFD.
The lowest speed in direct drive is 660 RPM with the motor running at 1800 RPM with the step pulley system. With a sensorless vector VFD it will run from about 10 RPM to 4500 RPM using the step pulleys. With a 3 HP motor there is enough torque to tap 12mm in steel at reasonable tapping speeds.
So:
Keep the step pulleys
Install a 1500 RPM, 3 HP motor
Install a sensorless vector VFD
It will run good.
Jim Dawson
Sandy, Oregon, USA