[PartsBinBandit]

Greetings. First time post from a complete newbie. DIY enthusiast ... would like to buy a mini-lathe for some hobby projects BUT the motor generates 4000 - 7000 rpm. For working wood this is great but I also need it to drop down as low as 250 rpm. I was thinking I'd need to put a potentiometer in the circuit to give me a true variable speed of 0 - 7000 rpm.
The motor runs on mains electricity, and is rated at 96W and 12-24V.
Two questions ...
1. Can it be done?
2. If yes, what are the potentiometer specs I'll need to make it so?
All help very much appreciated.
Cheers.

what kind of motor is it? ac induction motor? or are you rectifying the mains for a dc motor? if its an induction motor you can get a vfd and feed it a different frequency for your desired speed. If its brushed dc you should be able to adjust the voltage for the desired speed.