Adding a vfd to a 1x30 belt sander.

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I want to do what the title says, but after looking into it a bit. I came to the realization that I don't know the first thing about vfds. At least as far as the specifications of what I would need for a project like this.

The motor is a 1/3hp, that runs on 110v. Single phase. All I'm seeing when I'm searching for vfds are ones that do single phase to 3 phase. Which I'm doubtful will be what I'm looking for.

Idk I was just hoping someone can point me in the right direction to get started.

Also I figured I would throw this in. I'm planning to start doing electrolytic etching for my knives. Is there any reason not to just use a battery charger, and just make the parts that I do the etching with my self (the leads). It seems like it would be pretty cheap doing it that way.
 
Vfds (in the context of knife making) often convert single to 3 phase. The variable speed motors they run are all 3 phase. My understanding is 3 phase is required to fun the motor at low speed but full torque.

To add a vfd to your 1x30 you will need to replace the drive motor with a 3 phase one.

Honestly probably not worth the time and effort imo. Would be better off putting the mo ey into a savings fund for a better grinder.

For the electric etching machine, they are easy to make a decent one and cheap to do with parts easily available from you local hobby electric store.

Ideally you want both AC and DC - DC to etch, AC to mark.

If you want to keep making knives invest the time into making a proper one, or if you are only doing a couple just use a 9v battery or similar
 
Like was said, a VFD needs a 3 phase motor to run. Not worth it to upgrade an inexpensive 1x30. If you were doing a 2x48 or 2x72, VFD is very much worth it!

For the electro etcher, look for a train power transformer (they often have variable DC for speed control and an AC output for accessories) or a used benchtop DC power supply. I have a thread where I did a home made one with variable DC current for under $100.

How To - DIY Etcher WIP

I got one of the knifekits.com etchers; it is AC only, so it marks the blade, but doesn't really etch it depth wise, since it doesn't have DC. It does leave a nice mark, but I wanted something that will etch into the steel more so if I need to clean up the blade after etching, I can do so and...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
Power supply from ebay, alligator clips, graphite blocks and felt from Amazon, wood dowel and long brass screw from local hardware store.
 
Grizzly also makes a variable speed 1x30 with 6” disc included. At the time I bought it, it had the highest hp motor in a 1x30 I could find. Okay for small parts, but I’d hate to make whole knives with it. It was reasonably priced then, don’t know about now, though.
 
Yeah the 1x30 is mostly for getting in to area that I can't fit a 2 inch wide belt into. I'm having issues with the belt speed being too high, and burning the micarta I'm working with.

I'm using 10v steel, and hand sanding (with a hard backer) just leaves with with a raised spine, so I'm finding it pretty necessary to get the shaping I need done on the sander. Which wouldn't be too big a of a deal, but again the belt speed is too high, and it takes literally less than a second to start getting burned brown bits on it.

So I've been doing some juggling to get the knife shaped up before I go ahead and etch, then attach the handle scales.
 
Blankblank said:
Yeah the 1x30 is mostly for getting in to area that I can't fit a 2 inch wide belt into. I'm having issues with the belt speed being too high, and burning the micarta I'm working with.

I'm using 10v steel, and hand sanding (with a hard backer) just leaves with with a raised spine, so I'm finding it pretty necessary to get the shaping I need done on the sander. Which wouldn't be too big a of a deal, but again the belt speed is too high, and it takes literally less than a second to start getting burned brown bits on it.

So I've been doing some juggling to get the knife shaped up before I go ahead and etch, then attach the handle scales.
Click to expand...
If you have a 2x72 inch grinder you can get 1” wide belts for handle shaping.
 
Most 1x30 variable speed are around 1900-3200, so they are fairly fast.
 
The 2 inch is a 2 x 42, and I can't get the look I'm going for with a slack belt. So even if I was to use a 1 inch wide belt, I'll still run into the problem of not having a 2 inch platen. Idk. It looks like I'm going to need to find a different solution.
 
Make a 1" platen for your grinder. Use a 1X72 belt on it. They make special scalloped edge belts in 1" and 2" just for doing handle work.

You can also make a rounded edge1" contact wheel (4-6" is a good size) for sanding inside curves on handles and fittings. Put the belt over it and use plenty of belt tension.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Make a 1" platen for your grinder. Use a 1X72 belt on it. They make special scalloped edge belts in 1" and 2" just for doing handle work.

You can also make a rounded edge1" contact wheel (4-6" is a good size) for sanding inside curves on handles and fittings. Put the belt over it and use plenty of belt tension.
Click to expand...
Do they make 1x42 belts? Unfortunately I still haven't picked up a 2x72. It was going to be the next thing I saved up for, but i ended up putting all my money into making a heat treat oven instead. Eventually I'm going to buy one, but as of right now, it's just not an option.
 
Blankblank said:
Do they make 1x42 belts? Unfortunately I still haven't picked up a 2x72. It was going to be the next thing I saved up for, but i ended up putting all my money into making a heat treat oven instead. Eventually I'm going to buy one, but as of right now, it's just not an option.
Click to expand...
1x42” belts are a very common size. I have a dedicated variable speed sharpener that takes that size belt and I can find just about any type of belt that I want.
 
Blankblank said:
Yeah the 1x30 is mostly for getting in to area that I can't fit a 2 inch wide belt into. I'm having issues with the belt speed being too high, and burning the micarta I'm working with.

I'm using 10v steel, and hand sanding (with a hard backer) just leaves with with a raised spine, so I'm finding it pretty necessary to get the shaping I need done on the sander. Which wouldn't be too big a of a deal, but again the belt speed is too high, and it takes literally less than a second to start getting burned brown bits on it.

So I've been doing some juggling to get the knife shaped up before I go ahead and etch, then attach the handle scales.
Click to expand...
Sanding drums in a Foredom
 
I think you would be further ahead saving your money and buying a decent quality variable speed 2 x 72 grinder.
 
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