Grinder in a Box Motor Questions?

flatgrinder

flatgrinder

Joined
Dec 20, 2005
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What kind of motor do you use with the Grinder in a Box?

Does it accept 1HP, 1.5HP and 2HP motors? Or only 1.5HP and under?

What size and frame? Does the plate in the kit mount to the front of the motor ... and are the hole locations universal?

Thanks! :thumbup:
 
Anything with a 56c frame should work. I'd recommend at least 1.5HP, though 2HP would be better.

Hole locations, frame diameter, shaft diameter, etc... are all standardized per frame sizes, so all 56c frame motors are essentially the same (where you need be concerned). Mounting is done from the front.

I assume you're planning on variable speed/VFD? If so, you'll need a 3 phase motor, inverter rated, and TEFC.
 
Like gunfight said, anything with a 56C frame will bolt right to the round hole on the main upright and if your motor has a base plate it will also bolt to the base of the grinder.
 
Thank you Andrew and Chuck!

Do you have blueprints of what a 56C mount should look like? ie. Hole spacing, thread sizes, etc?

Any model recommendations from Leeson or Baldor?

Thanks!
 
Thank you Kevin, and Thank you again Andrew.

What motor RPM would be ideal, 1800 or 3600?

I'm thinking about using a KB electronics drive ...
 
I believe the standard recommendation is an 1800 RPM (or 1725/50) for the motor, and setting the drive to 2x speed setting.
 
knife to a gunfight said:
I believe the standard recommendation is an 1800 RPM (or 1725/50) for the motor, and setting the drive to 2x speed setting.
Click to expand...
So I know the KBAC vfds can be set to 2X but can all vfds be set like that? In particular Teco Westinghouse drives? And if not should I be looking for a 3600RPM motor (2hp) to start with? Like the OP, this is also for a GIB.
 
The KBAC drives are actually quite limited in their available settings, simply because they use the various jumpers for setup where most others are keypad-programmable.

Almost all of the other drives can go to 120 Hz or more, but always check the specs. The Teco Westinghouse FM50 can go to 120 Hz.

The cheap Chinese drives off ebay can usually go right up to 400 Hz if needed (for use with high-speed spindle motors at about 24,000 RPM).
 
Perrin said:
So I know the KBAC vfds can be set to 2X but can all vfds be set like that? In particular Teco Westinghouse drives? And if not should I be looking for a 3600RPM motor (2hp) to start with? Like the OP, this is also for a GIB.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure. I think the KB drives double the frequency, and IIRC, a lot of drives have a max frequency of 50 or 60Hz, so it may not work for something like a TECO. I'd check the manual, or give them a call.
 
Not sure if this of any help, but the KMG uses a Leeson 110444.00 motor which is a 1800RPM, 1.5HP 56H Frame (with a KB Electric KBAC-27D drive).

Anyone know the Leeson equivalent in a 56C frame?

Also, are 1HP motors any lighter than 1.5HP motors (both in 56C frames)?

Can you power a grinder with a 1HP motor? My 1.5HP has worked fine for years and I've never stalled it (only on slow speed) but never hogging.

Thanks!
 
Marcus, I believe David has a GIB, you might inquire to him

I've been using my 4x36 alot lately with .5 HP Baldor and it works just fine.
 
Thanks for the tip Harbeer. I'll shoot David an e-mail.

Just got off the phone with Leeson's Distributor in Commerce, here are the model numbers for their 56C frames:

1.5HP w/ base: 110918.00 (Weight: 33lbs)
1.5HP w/out base: 110125.00 (Weight: 31lbs)

1HP w/ base: 110912.00 (Weight: 27lbs)
1HP w/out base: 110048.00 (Weight: 26lbs)

Is 5 to 6 lbs worth another 0.5HP?

I'm building a lightweight grinder (if there is such a thing): the KBAC -27D drive is also quite a bit heavier (which is needed for motors greater than 1HP) ... For 1HP and less motors, you can use a KBAC-24D drive. The 27D is 13lbs, and the 24D is 7lbs .... so the potential motor and drive weight savings is approx. 11-12lbs.

Never used a 1HP grinder, would be interesting to hear from anyone who has. My guess is that with hollow grinds or using a wheel, it's not a problem, flat grinding wide blades is where the problems start ...

Anyone with 1HP grinders out there ... any advice would be really appreciated!
 
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flatgrinder said:
Thanks for the tip Harbeer. I'll shoot David an e-mail.

Just got off the phone with Leeson's Distributor in Commerce, here are the model numbers for their 56C frames:

1.5HP w/ base: 110918.00 (Weight: 33lbs)
1.5HP w/out base: 110125.00 (Weight: 31lbs)

1HP w/ base: 110912.00 (Weight: 27lbs)
1HP w/out base: 110048.00 (Weight: 26lbs)

Is 5 to 6 lbs worth another 0.5HP?
Click to expand...

Without going into detail, it does take more copper (among some other things) to get more horsepower out of a motor. That will account for the majority of that 6 lb difference.

Is there a reason your concerned about weight?
 
Building a "travel" grinder. Want to keep weight as low as possible, and the grinder has to fit in a small suitcase. The KB drives are ideal as they can be used on any continent, whether the input is 50HZ or 60HZ.
 
If you want light, I'm not sure the GIB is your best bet. It's a tank, as all the parts in the kit are made from 1/2" steel plate.
 
Marcus I wonder if a hardcore grinder might fit that travel requirement. Vfd built in....Have a look
 
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Thanks for the advice everyone.

Planning on building a Bader/ GIB clone that would accept all my KMG accessories, but using 1/8" steel, Delrin and aluminum. It should be possible. Figured a direct drive motor would cut down on weight ... would like the main chassis to weigh less than 45lbs with the motor attached. My KMG chassis (with no motor) weighs approx. 100lbs.
 
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