MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE
Custom Knives | Other Knives | General Items
-------------------------------------------
New Posts | New PhotosAll Photos



Go Back   The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions > Custom Knife Discussion Boards > Tool Time

Tool Time Let's talk shop. Equipment, Tips & Tricks, Safety issues - Post it here.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-24-2020, 01:43 AM
M&J's Avatar
M&J M&J is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 886
DC or AC motor?

The 1.5 HP DC Baldor went down. The commutator had all kinds of carbon fouling so I took the back end apart to clean and re-assembled. Nada. Thought the VS controller was bad but it tested fine.

Considering this DC Leeson as a replacement since I can still use the VS controller.
http://www.electricmotorwholesale.com/LEESON-109096/

Scott at Tru Grit suggested the AC over the DC motors but I'm unfamiliar with those types...school me?


__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-14-2020, 08:14 PM
R K R K is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Kimberly Idaho USA
Posts: 4
208 3ph with VFD

For many years, I used a 2HP DC Baldor on my knife grinder.. Now I use a 3hp, 3ph 208V AC motor with a VFD (Variable Freq Drive)
The AC motor with a VFD is light years ahead of the DC motor/controller.
The DC only has full power at full speed, as you decrease speed you decrease power because you are decreasing speed by decreasing voltage.
The AC motor speed is controlled by varying the 3 phase frequency, thus you loose very little if any power as you decrease speed.
I have two knife grinders in my shop and both use the 208V AC motors with the VFD controllers. I can't imagine ever going back to DC.
A couple years ago, I found seven Baldor DC controllers and two 2HP Baldor motors at the dump, as it turns out, a packing plant near here was retrofitting with the new 208V AC units. Now I use the DC units on my disc sanders.
IMHO, I wouldn't even consider a DC motor for a grinder now!
RK
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-18-2020, 02:06 PM
M&J's Avatar
M&J M&J is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 886
The controller which I originally thought was dead still functions. I'd called Scott at Tru Grit and we discussed the set-up. Going AC would be cool yet in these times more $ than I want to spend at ~$1,200. A new Leeson 1HP DC motor was ~$450.


__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-06-2021, 05:49 PM
fmustang1981 fmustang1981 is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 1
I would also take a DC motor. Personally, this was the right decision for me, as I needed to have speed control and output range, while the AC motor was a little more powerful, but it was less responsive. I think this is one of the main differences between these motors and everyone will choose what will be more profitable for him. I also had a bad experience with AC motors as the only model that I have constantly failed for various reasons. Often this was due to electronics failure. I had to buy quality parts here https://www.automation-usa.com/ and make substitutions since what I had then was very unreliable.

Last edited by fmustang1981; 04-13-2021 at 05:15 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-07-2021, 12:17 AM
M&J's Avatar
M&J M&J is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 886
I'm also inclined to get a DC motor. I miss having two machines and for now making due with one.


__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
back, baldor, carbon, clean, disc, grinder, knife, knife grinder, leeson, making, motor, shop, vfd


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
got the new motor but... dtec1 The Newbies Arena 15 10-15-2016 09:05 PM
VFD & 3 Phase Motor vs DC Drive & DC Motor, Opinions on Each Set Up GHNorfleet Tool Time 5 08-16-2005 08:26 AM
Need a motor Josh Blount Tool Time 6 02-18-2003 10:26 PM
D/C motor Gary Hamilton The Newbies Arena 3 09-26-2001 08:33 PM
motor Vaquero57 Tool Time 2 02-14-2001 08:57 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:54 PM.




KNIFENETWORK.COM
Copyright © 2000
? CKK Industries, Inc. ? All Rights Reserved
Powered by ...

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
The Knife Network : All Rights Reserved