Flea market grinder motor

Z

Zmonster

Joined
Aug 21, 2009
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8
So I'm piecing together a KMG and scored a motor today for $20. Its used and in decent shape, and apears serviceable. I dont know if it's suitable, so I'd like to hear from the experts. Either way, I figure I couldn't go wrong for a $20 bill. I've thrown more than $20 on other hobbies.....

Searching the model number led me to this, which looks exactly like mine. I'm no electrician, so I can't speak to the specs. So what do you think? Did I do good or is it a boat anchor?

http://www.atozinventory.com/inventory/listings/details/index.cfm?adnum=1041926765
 
I'm absolutely no electrician either - total noob on this subject, but it says that it has 2 horse power, which I'd assume would be either plenty or too much if you can't figure out how to slow it down. The one I have on my 2x42 is a 1/2 hp motor, which is (what I'm assuming) close to what you want for a knife making motor


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Best would be a photo of the name plate on the motor you have. "IF" it is the same as the link you gave, it's an open frame which isn't the best for a grinder. For $20 you might be happy with how long it will last, especially if you blow the dust out of inside each week or so.

It's also a 1ph motor so won't work with as variable speed grinder.

For $20, you won't go wrong - can always find a use for it. For around $250 to $300 you can purchase a new 2 hp TEFC 3ph motor along with a VFD to have a variable speed grinder.

Ken H>

Ken H>
 
Ken raises a good point. I would definitely try and prevent it from sucking dust to prolong the life.

If you want variable speed try a DC motor like from an old treadmill. If you look you can often get one free. Typically they range from from 1-2HP, with 1700-3400 max RPMs and can be controlled anywhere between zero and max. I used one for a wood lathe, it was definitely louder than an AC motor due to it having brushes, but wasn't really that bad. Also they typically are designed to run on 120V 15 or 20A circuits, which is nice.
Just an option.
 
You posted when I was typing. I guess your in business with the 3 phase, no need to scavenge motors.
 
As said, it is an open frame motor, so it needs to go where there is no metal dust. A grinder isn't one of those places. It will be fine on some other tools, or on a grinder with some filter material over the vents.

Get a VFD and you are in business for variable speed.
 
Yep, that's a 3 ph Lesson motor, and from photo it looks like a TEFC motor (edit to change: looking now I can see the open frame) which is (edit: "NOT") exactly what you want. Just purchase a VFD, preferable a NEMA 4X enclosure of which the KBAC for around $350 to $400 is the recommended drive. "IF" you wish to "cheap out" as many of us do there are plenty of NEMA 1 Chinese VFD drives in the $110 to $120 range. These are open drives and must be protected from metal dust with either filters over the air intake, or a dust proof enclosure.

It is a F145T frame rather than the desired 56C, but the face of motor looks like 56C, but not sure if it will fit a 56C mount or not. I'm sure you can always mount on motor feet just fine.

Anyway - you've got a good motor at a really good price. Even if the bearings need replacing that's a fairly each chore and cheap.

Ken H>
 
Last edited:
I want to thank everyone that chimed in. I contacted Leeson, and found out a lot. It was built in 1977 and is a really well built motor, but no longer made. The lady I spoke to, mentioned that she most likely built my particular motor. Anyways, it turns out that its a ODP and not TEFC. Oh well. I guess for $20 I cant complain. I'm gonna hold on to it and see what I can use it for. Maybe I can use for the vintage Tesla car I'm going to piece together next. lol
 
Zmonster said:
I want to thank everyone that chimed in. I contacted Leeson, and found out a lot. It was built in 1977 and is a really well built motor, but no longer made. The lady I spoke to, mentioned that she most likely built my particular motor. Anyways, it turns out that its a ODP and not TEFC. Oh well. I guess for $20 I cant complain. I'm gonna hold on to it and see what I can use it for. Maybe I can use for the vintage Tesla car I'm going to piece together next. lol
Click to expand...

For $20 you can't go wrong. Just put some filter material around the vents and go for it.
 
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