In a message dated 5/15/2006 9:09:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cclist at sydex.com writes: On 5/15/2006 at 8:32 PM Evan Koblentz wrote: Some folks run 3 phase machine tools from single-phase lines using a phase converter--basically a big 3 phase motor and a large capacitor. I don't know how well that would work with power supplies, but it's a thought. -Chuck -- My friend had to do this when he bought a 12inch shop lathe. Once he wired everything up, he wound a rope around the shaft of the conversion motor, spun it up, then hit the power, IIRC. It worked, for what it's worth.