Fuzzy, I have been pondering power requirements this week as I have had my motor slowing down from max speed and sometimes stopping altogether on a Laburnum bowl about 8” diameter and it’s very frustrating!
Sharpening the gouge improved it of course, but only a bit.
I have an old Viceroy with a frequency control for speed and I know that torque reduces as I wind the speed down, so I always try to use it at the highest motor speed I can, and use the lowest speed pulley in this situation to maximise torque. Not sure if my £500 speed control package was a good deal now.
Almost glad to hear that you have the same problem.
My motor is a nominal 3kw, and the Laburnum is fairly tough, I have checked all the shafts and bearings and everything runs freely.
Maybe I am trying to take too big a cut, or is 3kw not enough for a tough timber? Does anyone have any similar experience?
Thanks,John