Belt sander motor

[Tatesolveson_maker]

I am a high school student and a maker of all sorts and am looking to get my first big belt sander but am on a budget. I want a 2x42 or 2x72 and I think I found a good chassis for a 2x72 but it does not come with a motor. I would want to get at least a 2hp and want to spend at most $200 on a motor, any recommendations for a good motor?

 

[mike-E]

Try automationdirect. Usually about $170 for a 3600 rpm 3 phase. A single speed grinder is pretty much worthless for knifemaking.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

By all means build a 2X72!

You really want a 220 volt 3 phase motor and a VFD. That combo will run you around $400. You can do fine with 1.5HP, but the cost is only minimally lower. Save up for this working summer jobs.

In the time being, use a 1.5HP single phase motor( or even a 1HP motor). If you have 220 volt power in your workshop, wire the motor for it. Use three step pulleys on the motor and grinder to get a low-medium-high speed. The motor and pulleys will run you around $200 new, but you can probably get the motor for very little or even free with some scrounging.

You didn't fill out your profile, so I don't know where you live. With that info it is likely someone would give you a suitable motor. I know I have several that I would let you have for free if you lived in my region.

 

[Drew Riley]

A 3 phase, 2 HP IronHorse motor from Automation Direct should run you right around $200 shipped, IIRC. If you have a 220VAC outlet in your shop, you can get a Chinese VFD to drive it for about $100. You'll just have to make accommodations to keep the dust out of it.

FWIW, if you shop around for used and/or surplus motors, I see them for about $50 to $100 all the time.

 

[Ken H>]

The cost of pulleys & bearings for a 3 step pulley setup will cost as much as a Chinese VFD. So the only difference in cost of a 3 setup pulley setup vs VFD ($66 shipped) setup is difference in cost of motor. Even if you've got the 1 ph motor free, that's still only $165 shipped for a 3 ph 2 hp motor:
https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...eneral_purpose/general_purpose/mtrp-002-3bd36

 

[Randydb]

A 3 phase, 2 HP IronHorse motor from Automation Direct should run you right around $200 shipped, IIRC. If you have a 220VAC outlet in your shop, you can get a Chinese VFD to drive it for about $100. You'll just have to make accommodations to keep the dust out of it.

FWIW, if you shop around for used and/or surplus motors, I see them for about $50 to $100 all the time.

Yes, I have a couple 3ph motors I found on craigs that I paid under $100 each for. They run great and the cost was worth it.