Adding a speed controller

[gull wing]

to my old JL Leblanc grinder. WHERE DO I START?
I've had this grinder for many years, still great.
1 1/2 HP Baldor single speed of course, 110V

Is is as simple as buying a controller from a knife magizine and wire it up? I'm no Electrician!

 

[synthesist]

ummmmmmmmmmmm

errrrrrrrr

uhh

Unfortunately it's not that simple (I truly wish it was). You're gonna need a different motor go variable. Either a DC motor and controller or a 3 phase 220 with phase convertor/controller. You're looking at a chunk of $$$.

There are people here who can supply the exact details I'm sure.

Sorry

Syn

 

[gull wing]

Thanks, well I've gotten by this long without.

 

[Bo T]

The least expensive setup that I came up with was @ $600. That was for a TEFC DC and scr. Or an enclosed variable speed controller and a 3 phase TEFC AC motor. You could probably find a set of pulleys, 3x3 or 4x4, for less.

 

[12345678910]

You need both a controller and a motor.


If you need help setting it up, Wayne Coe sells them and will help you with it.
It's not difficult to do and you can save some $ by shopping online and getting a used motor.

Three phase power is common in industrial settings so used motors are commnly available.
Go to all the little motor sales and repair shops, they take them on trade and have shelves of used motors for sale.

Wiring the controller is just 3 wires in, hot black, neutral white, and green ground, just like any other 110v electrical item.
You will want to add a switch, not that difficult either.


wiring from the box to the motor is just 3 wires that can go in any order, no chance to screw it up

Chang ea jumper inside and turn some screws for settings.

The manual to a controller is here.
http://www.kbelectronics.com/manuals/kbac_manual.pdf

setup info
http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/pdfs/VS-setup.pdf






getting a used motor
Look for
1.5 HP
220v
3 Phase
3400rpm
tefc
56C frame That gives you a 5/8" shaft that will probably match the pulley you have.
You need the face mount to mount it not the foot (I think, never seen a JL in person)

 

[oic0]

I'm always thinking of strange stuff lol... but I wonder if you could use the CVT from a go-kart and make it manually adjustable instead of swapping pulleys.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Could you...I suppose so.
Good idea .... probably not.

 

[roblockwood]

A surplus treadmill motor is a common replacement when speed control is desired on the smaller chinese milling machines, I wonder how suitable they would be? Still need a controller, but its a thought. Can usually pick them up for ~$50 on ebay.

 

[hammon172]

http://www.harborfreight.com/router-speed-control-43060.html ?

 

[12345678910]

http://www.harborfreight.com/router-speed-control-43060.html ?

No a router speed control will not work for that

I works on universal brush type motors.



If a $20 control worked, no one would ever spend the $$ on a DC or VFD setup.