I got Rob'd! (in a good way)

Burchtree

Burchtree

KnifeMaker & Moderator
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Mar 15, 2002
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Picked up one of Rob's steel discs, then decided I might as well go ahead and get the motor and "burchproof" VFD drive that goes with it. I haven't mounted the drive yet, but check out the fancy-pants base plate I got with it. :D This thing is sweet as hell and I would recommend it to anyone -- works on 110v and I purchased the optional "reversible" switch so it is as versatile as you can get:

discsander1.jpg


discsander2.jpg


Also picked up an Extech thermocouple from Graingers. I used some high-tech mounting devices to hold it onto the blower on the forge ;) and ran the lead into the top of the forge. Have a better probe coming in soon -- but it was fun to watch the forge temps on it last night and I hope to refine my heat-treating with it.

thermocouple1.jpg


thermocouple2.jpg
 
looks pretty sweet, Burch!


bring on the jealousy pain....:o
 
Cleaning up all my flats after forging, and for going up to higher grit on full-flat grinds. Hand-rubbing is by far the slowest part of knifemaking to me and I will do anything to eliminate as much of that time as possible. I've got a small flat-ground waki that I've been playing with for the past year or so and it was able to clean up some areas on it with no problems at all.
 
Will you let us know how it works out on the flat grinds? And how high grit you can go with it?
 
where in the world did you find that "high tech" mounting system?? I need one of those (it isn't too expensive is it?:D )
 
Nice set up, Mike. :thumbup:


But, one question though. Is that moonshine in that mason jar sitting next to the sander? :p :D
 
nope -- just some dirty EDM stones in soapy water. :D

I'll let you all know how it works out -- one of the better new bladesmiths (IMO) recommended that I get one.

Rocketman -- I'm not sure if you'll be able to get that mounting system. I had to go to a specialty store here in Springfield called "Wal-Mart." Not sure if they'd have one in your area. :D
 
Hi Burch,

How well did the Extech probe work? I have been considering something like that myself.

Craig
 
Hi Burch,

I got the same setup as yours.
Is your Leeson motor makes high pitch sound? It's not lound at all but you can hear it. I wonder if something wrong with my setup.

Alex
 
Craig -- I don't have the shielded hand-held probe that I bought extra for it yet, but I'm pretty happy with the unit. You can set alarms for times (for soakin' and such) and it reads fast. Found that I need to adjust my forge (vertical) a bit -- after moving the wire-thingy around a bit, I was getting different temps (up to 30 degree differences only within 4 or 5 inches apart. I was going to purchase one for 90 bucks, but someone suggested that I get this one because it has dual probes so one can go in the forge, and the other in the oil.

alexmin -- I couldn't hear any noise, but I didn't crank it up much. I have a 110v 1ph Leeson on the horizontal and it makes a pretty decent "wheeeeeeee" noise.
 
alexmin said:
Hi Burch,

I got the same setup as yours.
Is your Leeson motor makes high pitch sound? It's not lound at all but you can hear it. I wonder if something wrong with my setup.

Alex
Click to expand...

I have a Leeson too -- brand new -- I get a high pitch sound. It's annoying -- I put a power off switch on my variable controller, though, so I can turn it off without unplugging and get rid of the whine.
 
That is a nice looking grinder. I was just at the Beaumont Metal Works website. Did you get the 4140 disc or the aluminum? Is one better than the other? I can't afford the whole setup, but I'd sure like to get one of the discs...
 
Alex, Jeff and Micheal

The sound that you are hearing is due to the way the VFD works and is not harmful to the VFD or the motor.

All VFD's simulates the 60Hz sine wave voltage using a high frequency square wave. The frequency of the square wave is typically in the range of 2kHz to 10kHz. The high frequency square wave causes the windings in the motor to vibrate at that frequency. Some VFD's will cause more noise than others (I have an old Fuji that is really loud). Different brands/models of motors may react differently to the same VFD. It is the same effect that causes the 60Hz hum that one hears near a power substation or a large transformer. You will often hear the same type of whining noise when you ride on an electric trolley bus or a subway car since they use VFD's too. You may also hear similar noise comming from your VFD due to the same effect on some of the components (reactors) in the VFD.

Do make sure that your motor is rated to work with a VFD or it's life expectancy may be shortened.

Phil
 
pso said:
Alex, Jeff and Micheal

The sound that you are hearing is due to the way the VFD works and is not harmful to the VFD or the motor.

All VFD's simulates the 60Hz sine wave voltage using a high frequency square wave. The frequency of the square wave is typically in the range of 2kHz to 10kHz. The high frequency square wave causes the windings in the motor to vibrate at that frequency. Some VFD's will cause more noise than others (I have an old Fuji that is really loud). Different brands/models of motors may react differently to the same VFD. It is the same effect that causes the 60Hz hum that one hears near a power substation or a large transformer. You will often hear the same type of whining noise when you ride on an electric trolley bus or a subway car since they use VFD's too. You may also hear similar noise comming from your VFD due to the same effect on some of the components (reactors) in the VFD.

Do make sure that your motor is rated to work with a VFD or it's life expectancy may be shortened.

Phil
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's good to know. I was a little worried about it. The motor is rated to work with the VFD, so I should be OK.
 
pso said:
Alex, Jeff and Micheal

The sound that you are hearing is due to the way the VFD works and is not harmful to the VFD or the motor.

All VFD's simulates the 60Hz sine wave voltage using a high frequency square wave. The frequency of the square wave is typically in the range of 2kHz to 10kHz. The high frequency square wave causes the windings in the motor to vibrate at that frequency. Some VFD's will cause more noise than others (I have an old Fuji that is really loud). Different brands/models of motors may react differently to the same VFD. It is the same effect that causes the 60Hz hum that one hears near a power substation or a large transformer. You will often hear the same type of whining noise when you ride on an electric trolley bus or a subway car since they use VFD's too. You may also hear similar noise comming from your VFD due to the same effect on some of the components (reactors) in the VFD.

Do make sure that your motor is rated to work with a VFD or it's life expectancy may be shortened.

Phil
Click to expand...

Phil,

how can I check if a motor is rated to work with VFD?
I can buy a used motor and want to make sure it'll work with my VFD.
Another question - Is it OK if I run 1.5 HP motor off VFD set for 2HP?
My grinder motor is 2HP and I 'll probably buy a used 1.5HP motor(owner wants $50 for it) Do you think it's going to be OK?

Thanks,
Alex
 
Michael,
I'd get a bit heavier duty (and massive) thermocouple for the forge.
It will cut the fluctuations down greatly due to the mass of the thermocouple not responding as fast as a light-weight one.
 
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