Currently I am using a static phase converter on my LeBlonde lathe, and have just purchase a 3ph radial arm saw. I am curios about rotary converters. I have seen ads on the internet and read articles pertaining to them be are hesitant. Please correct me if I am in error; I understand you have to start a motor(in my case 5hp) and pick up the 3rd leg in which I can feed a sub panel (my case 3 30amp breakers) to run my equipment (one at a time). Is this to cumbersome and costly to have this motor running all the time while I am running the lathe or saw?

Thanks,
Bob

You are correct, the 5HP rotary converter is running along with the motor you are driving. A 5HP motors draws about 7000 watts, and at 10 cents per kilowatthour, it will cost 70 cents per hour to run.