Making a disc sander

Rick Baum

Rick Baum

Joined
Mar 14, 2000
Messages
509
This one is for you electrical types... I want to make a reversible disc sander. I had a 3/4 horse motor given to me, and I am wondering if there is a gizmo of some sort that I can buy which will make it reverse. Or, am I stuck with a unidirectional sander?
 
If the motor is reversible, it should say which 2 wires to swap in the terminal box to reverse it. Usually there will be 2 wires with spade connectors that plug on to terminals. Look on the nameplate and see what it says. If so, you could wire in a double pole, double throw switch to reverse the leads for you. One of us should be able to draw you a diagram.

Steve
 
Thanks Steve! I'll check the name plate when I get home tonight. I'll post a reply to bug you guys for a diagram if there is anything on the name plate about reversing.

Thanks again,
Rick
 
Rick, generally for single phase motors, the two wires are either red and black or #5 and #8.As said use a DPDT switch with six terminals.Make two jumper wires and connect one end terminal to the other end terminal on the opposite side.Do the same with the other side.It should form an "X". Connect the two wires from the motor to the center terminals, and run two wires from the end terminals to the connectors where you removed the other two.Go Play.Dave:)
 
Thank you all for your advice.

I checked my motor last night, it is single phase 115 volt 3/4 horse. There wasn't anything on the name plate concerning the wiring. Just a box on the side of the motor with 3 wires inside. This is obviously where the power is connected.

Dave, If I find a DPDT switch, it should come with a wiring diagram showing what you explained? It all made sense except for the last sentence where you said "and run two wires from the end terminals to the connectors where you removed the other two." Could you please explain? Does that mean - I run wires from the end terminal on the switch to the original connectors on the motor? Sorry, I'm completely "Electrically illiterate"

Thanks,
Rick
 
Rick, the switch will not come with any instructions.Yes, I meant that if the 5&8 or red and black are connected to terminals that is where you will connect the two new wires.Some motors do not have terminals inside just loose wires. In this case,run 5&8 to the switch and the two new wires get connected to the other motor wires per the diagram on the motor plate.If you still need help or the motor plate is missing just visit a motor shop.Or let me know and I will try and help.Dave:)
 
You can also use a 3-way wall switch. Connect the blue and black wires, from the switch, to the # 5 and #8 wires. Be sure to let the disk stop revolving before you flip the switch.
Ken (wwjd)
 
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