How would you slow this belt sander down

Fish30114

Fish30114

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Jan 5, 2014
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I have a 1x42 Burr King belt sander, wired for 110 V which I used to start in the knifmaking venture. I have a couple real belt grinders now, but I still want to use the Burr King for various tasks, I just would like to slow it down, how would you go about managing the speed on this bad boy--I asked Burr King, and they wanted to sell me a new motor and a VFD--N not interested--too much $$. Is it doable to just get a rheostat or some simple switch to vary the speed on it? I will try and post some pics of the unit and motor:
045.jpg

035.jpg
 
it's a single phase motor so there's no way to do it with a rheostat... I just went through the same situation... had to buy a three phase motor and VFD... you would have to do it with step pulleys if you don't want to go the VFD route.
 
Variable speed on a single phase motor is tougher to do than a 3 phase. Router speed controls and the like are only for brushed motors (think noisy motors that scream like routers, hand held bandsaws).

The best way to slow the belt speed on that is with a smaller diameter drive wheel.

The best way to get variable speed is to use a 3 phase motor and VFD, or a DC motor and voltage control.
 
OK, thanks guys--I guess I'll need to check into what I can get into for a inexpensive 3/4 hp motor and a VFD--open to suggestions on that!
 
Do you just want to slow it down or do you want variable speed? Because a smaller drive wheel would be much cheaper.

You're basically looking at around $300 all said and done to buy a used or NOS 3ph 3/4hp motor and 1kw chinese VFD off ebay. Maybe a little less depending on shipping.

ETA: I have a similar situation with my 2x72. I built it, made some knives, and now the 2 speed drive wheel and some other things aren't sufficient for my liking so I'm building a new one, and powering it with a 3ph 2hp motor and VFD. But I'm going to simply set up the old grinder at the slower speed as a full time horizontal grinder, since I don't generally need a lot of hogging ability in horizontal position, rather than upgrading it's drive.
 
Fish30114 said:
I have a 1x42 Burr King belt sander, wired for 110 V which I used to start in the knifmaking venture. I have a couple real belt grinders now, but I still want to use the Burr King for various tasks, I just would like to slow it down, how would you go about managing the speed on this bad boy--I asked Burr King, and they wanted to sell me a new motor and a VFD--N not interested--too much $$. Is it doable to just get a rheostat or some simple switch to vary the speed on it? I will try and post some pics of the unit and motor:
Click to expand...

No





ideas

Change the motor to 1700 rpm, that will half the speed.


jack shaft, step pulleys,

motor and vfd.
 
or one of these:

[youtube]YEFDmQYbEbg[/youtube]

although you have to remove your drive wheel to change speeds, I have considered it for my grinder.
 
let me know how it works out. I'm not sure how i would like swapping out the drive wheel, but I have been making multiple knives at once lately (in batches if you will) and it might be worth it if i can switch it just one time during the entire blade finishing process.
 
I have looked at that wheel on their ebay store but I don't understand the utility. If you have to remove it and swap the stuff to change speeds, it would be faster to simply change drive wheels. One 5" and one 1.25" would give you 4:1 reduction.
 
I've never seen a drive wheel that small, and I'm sure there is a reason for that, bit I'm not sure what it is.
 
I guess the larger ones just get you into a speed that is good for most things. That was what I sid with mine anyway.
 
I think you are really better off with slower speeds--the ubiquitous typical 110 V motor for sanders runs at 3450, and you never see a variable speed version of it--which sucks, my Ken Onion work sharp from Darex is a variable speed 110 V motor belt sander, albeit a mini one. I think I will be satisfied with the lower speed this thing will give me full time--I don't know where I could get a 1.25" drive wheel, but if I could go that route, I probably would.

Thanks for the input folks!
 
Call Rob at Beaumont Metals (KMG Grinders) they are a machine shop and make their own drive wheels he may have some insight.
 
One thing to consider, I have been chasing a slight belt wobble on my 2x72 and last night I needed to move the drive wheel a bit on the shaft. It did NOT want to move.
 
kdogmcg said:
One thing to consider, I have been chasing a slight belt wobble on my 2x72 and last night I needed to move the drive wheel a bit on the shaft. It did NOT want to move.
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm--interesting, I've sent a message to Oregon Blademaker requesting info on their wheel--it is made for a 2" belt, and this machine is a 1x42, so I asked them if the one I ordered won't work, could they make me a 1.25" drive wheel.

Busto, good tip--thanks!


PS- I just spoke to Beaumont metal works, and they simply said 'Aw, hell no!" when I asked if they had an idea where I might find a 1.25" drive wheel, they told me to find a local machine shop.
Very negative BTW...
 
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I'll make you one if you need it. I put a slight knurl on the OD of mine to grip the belt. The one detractor of a smaller drive wheel is the reduced contact area, so you'll want rubber or (since I can't do rubber) knurl. I just need to know your shaft size, key way, how long.
 
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