Ever had to replace a Square Wheel grinder motor?

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godogs57

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Apr 16, 2004
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After 22 years my Wilton Square Wheel motor has burned out. Wondering what I'm going to be looking at to replace it. It was the single, not variable, speed model.

Now I see Jet (China?) makes this model...I guess Wilton no longer does?

Seems that I could buy another motor, but my buddy in the industrial motor business cannot locate one, thinks it must be a make/model that is proprietary but not sure. I figured I'd just go get a Baldor motor, but apparently it isn't that simple.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your advice and/or opinions.
 
Let's see a photo of the motor data plate so we can read all the specs

As far as I can tell, its just a 56C framed motor

Start by taking it apart.

Can you get the drive wheel off first ?
Then you can see the motor mount screws

Then what's the diameter of the shaft
 
It's nothing more than a standard 56c motor. Should be easy to replace it. The motor I'm currently using on my direct drive KMG was used on my old Wilton.

My Wilton was originally 1hp, single speed. I converted it to variable speed with a 2hp Leeson motor and KBAC-27 VFD. If you're thinking of going variable speed, remember that the motor has to be three phase to work with a vfd!!!!
 
Technically they do make variable frequency drives for single phase motors. The problem is they start at about $1000 due to how few get sold.
But for all practical purposes, yes you want 3 phase. DC is another option, but generally more expensive
 
Geoff Flato said:
Technically they do make variable frequency drives for single phase motors. The problem is they start at about $1000 due to how few get sold.
But for all practical purposes, yes you want 3 phase. DC is another option, but generally more expensive
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And, the single phase drives do not work on the motors we use for grinders. 3Phase or DC ... that is the way you will need to go.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
And, the single phase drives do not work on the motors we use for grinders. 3Phase or DC ... that is the way you will need to go.
Click to expand...
Yes, I wasn't really clear with the tone of my post. With the right motor and drive you can set up single phase variable speed. It'll end up costing 3-4x as much as anything else though, and isn't really recommended.

That and used 3ph motors are a dime a dozen. I paid $5 for the Baldor I put on my drill press
 
Geoff, do you have a single phase in single phase out VFD and motor combo that you can give us a link to?
 
That is what I was trying to point out. Single phase VFD setups are used to run a motor at lower rating and usualy a lowr speed. I have never heard of one that was not for running a fan. From what I understand, they would not work with high draw loads like a grinder.
 
That's the point I conveyed rather poorly. It could be done but it would be prohibitivly expensive, with no benefit and plenty of downsides. It's not something anyone should consider, and I should have left it out of the discussion.

My personal recommendation would be to find a used Baldor or Leeson 3ph motor, and purchase a compatable drive. With how easy to find small 3ph motors are for pennies on the dollar, I'd find it hard to justify buying a new one. Heck I've still got 3 of them in storage waiting for projects

Although if you're not too comfortable with wiring buying something plug and play would be the best choice.
 
Geoff Flato said:
My personal recommendation would be to find a used Baldor or Leeson 3ph motor, and purchase a compatable drive. With how easy to find small 3ph motors are for pennies on the dollar, I'd find it hard to justify buying a new one.
Click to expand...

Where are these motors found? I search CL and eBay. I've checked with local motor shops for used and refurbished motors. Do you have a good source?
 
Josh Rider said:
Where are these motors found? I search CL and eBay. I've checked with local motor shops for used and refurbished motors. Do you have a good source?
Click to expand...
Maybe I'm just lucky? I found one on Craigslist, one for $50 (1.5hp Leeson), one at a garage sale for $5 (3/4hp Baldor, now on one of my drill presses). The other one was given to me to save someone throwing it out.
It's probably just a matter of being at the right place at the right time. Often times people will buy surplus woodworking machinery and toss the 3ph motor and replace it with a single phase. Machinery dealers would be worth checking, I've found plenty of motors at flea markets too. One was a brand new explosion proof motor that is now on one of my grinders, paid $20
 
Josh Rider said:
Where are these motors found? I search CL and eBay. I've checked with local motor shops for used and refurbished motors. Do you have a good source?
Click to expand...

I've bought three motors off ebay.
Even with shipping to Canada with the extra fees it was worth while.

There was a pallet lot of stainless washdown motors that I passed up.
Less than 100 usd each.
They were beautiful.
I kick myself over those.

Look at other stuff too.
I passed up a drill press with a new leeson motor for 40, on Kijiji - I was too lazy to carry the whole thing.
 
I find deals on crap all the time, but never motors. Are you searching 3 phase? Name brand specifically?
I tried even putting google alerts on my phone.
 
Josh Rider said:
I find deals on crap all the time, but never motors. Are you searching 3 phase? Name brand specifically?
I tried even putting google alerts on my phone.
Click to expand...

Yes three phase
No not name brand specifically. I'm not even sure I put the word motor in the search = too many returns for engines.
I just list all the specs I want.

It's not instant, those three motors came separately over the course of a year.
HGR is a good place.

Watch the shaft types, if you're OK with milling or filing in a keyway, the pump motors with no keyway and a threaded end can be used.

It seems that vfd's have caught on with people and the one to two HP motors are more scarce than years past.
 
A 1.5hp motor (being three phase) can be ran off of a single phase line with a KBAC-27 VFD acting as a phase converter.
The KBAC-27 might not work with 1hp motors, I would seek further information regarding motor sizes outside of 3ph/1.5hp.

You will lose some torque, but it will give you the option of variable speed on a single phase line.
 
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Here's a pic of what I have. I've checked out eBay and 99% of what I see are either 220V, or 3450 rpm. I've seen about two that match this, but have less amps. Will that make a difference?

Kind of leery of used motors for $250 or so when I see new motors at $550+.

20170528_151658.jpg


20170528_151707.jpg
 
This is getting a little crazy. Baldor will not sell the motor to me because it's "proprietary". Do what?
 
godogs57 said:
This is getting a little crazy. Baldor will not sell the motor to me because it's "proprietary". Do what?
Click to expand...

Baldor and Wilton may have had a deal so Wilton wold be the only supplier with that part number

On the face of it, there's nothing special about that.

However when I look at motor specs, I find the 3400rpm motors at 13 amps and the 1700rpm motors less
13 is the max you can put on a 15 amp circut.
The new motors are now more efficient and may have lower amp ratings.



do you want to do fixed speed, or variable speed?

Fixed speed
115/220v
rpm 1700 - I would not use a 3400 rpm with that large drive wheel
13 amps or less on 115 volts
Frame 56C
TEFC


Have you tried a motor shop ?
Have you figured out whey this one stopped ?
Cord, switch, loose wieres, bad capacater - are common causes
 
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