Setting up a VFD on lathe (with foot brake)

[The Metal Butcher]

isn't there supposed to be a mechanical connection between the stop bar and the forward and reverse lever? Somehow it does not seem right that the lathe will start as soon as you remove your foot from the bar,(just relating back to a machine similar to yours with a stop bar) Jim

Nornally it kicks the contacter out which isn't reset until the handle is re-engaged. Maybe a contacter could work here?

[rdfeil]

I think with Captain K's test above, the best approach now would be Noitoen's suggestion of using the original control design and just using one of the contact sets from each contactor to control FWD, Stop and REV. This is a proven control design and you have all the parts.