Recommendation? Motor for Reeder Belt Grinder?

VigilantOutlaw

VigilantOutlaw

Joined
Feb 1, 2013
Messages
18
Hey y'all, I decided to bite the bullet today and purchased a Reeders Products belt grinder, there were several brands of grinders I looked at but eventually choose this one. Of course it doesn't have wheels, motor or vfd, and I thought maybe some of you could give me some clarity about the single vs. 3 phase motor. Also, I would like to stay at 110 volts, so I guess that means nothing bigger than a 1 1/2 hp motor?

I'm not going with a variable speed controller, I want to give it a shot without it first and make my mind up later. That way if I do decide to purchase one I'll have the correct motor for it.

When it comes to electricity it's over my head. I can change light fixtures, receptacles/switches and minor wiring, that's about it. And my dad was an electrician for the city; go figure!
If y'all could head me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

Steve
 
If you get a single phase ac motor now, you can't add a VFD later. VFDs work only on 3 phase ac motors. Also, unless you have 3 phase in your shop (doubtful, unless it's in a commercial building) you can't run a 3 phase motor on single phase electric without the VFD or a phase converter to convert the 1 pH, to 3ph. Since the Reeder is a direct drive, it would be counter productive to put pulleys on it. Get a proper vfd ( KBAC 27D is great) and a 1.5 hp three phase motor and love life.
 
Hmm... Something to ponder on. I've looked at the KBAC 27 and wondered if it's worth what one would pay for the bells and whistles. As for a step-down pulley system, you're right, it would be counter productive. That's one of the reasons I purchased this type of grinder, so the flange/face of the motor would directly bolt up to the grinder.

I'll probably go with a Leeson or Baldor 1 hp motor for now, then a few years down the road when/if that motor eats the dust I might get a 1.5 hp and vfd. Anyway, thanks for the lesson on single phases and three phase motors. Now I know what to look for when ordering my new motor. Thanks again brother!

Steve
 
I think you will be really unhappy with a direct drive motor running full speed all the time. Yes a KBAC VFD is worth it. There are cheaper VFDs, but you often get what you pay for and one VFD can run many motors
 
The process of knife making requires many different speeds for grinding. The reason for Step Pulley system is to be able to regulate the process. The VFD is the fastest simplest method and yes is more expensive initially but the benefits are worth the price. I have 3 full time Grinding machines and the first was a step pulley driven and is now converted like the others to run off 1 vfd all done with a single switch to select which machine gets power. A 1hp motor is not near enough power a 1-1/2hp is minimum 2hp is a sweet spot. YOU can run a 2hp 3 phase motor off 110v with a VFD you will only net 1-1/2hp but it will perform any knife grinding task. In 10 years of grinding the single best investment was 3 phase motor and KBAC 27D VFD....Better than my surface grinder better than my heat treat furnace!! The Grinder is the Money Maker the Vfd is the Magic power source. When you go Single phase single speed in 3 months or less you will look back and be pissed you have to spend all over again for a new motor and VFD you could have purchased initially....ask me how I know!
 
VigilantOutlaw said:
Hmm... Something to ponder on. I've looked at the KBAC 27 and wondered if it's worth what one would pay for the bells and whistles. As for a step-down pulley system, you're right, it would be counter productive. That's one of the reasons I purchased this type of grinder, so the flange/face of the motor would directly bolt up to the grinder.

I'll probably go with a Leeson or Baldor 1 hp motor for now, then a few years down the road when/if that motor eats the dust I might get a 1.5 hp and vfd. Anyway, thanks for the lesson on single phases and three phase motors. Now I know what to look for when ordering my new motor. Thanks again brother!

Steve
Click to expand...
I currently have a KBAC 24D and a 1Hp 3 phase due to electric in my shop. It has been fine and only bogs down if I really lay into it hogging with a dull belt. It's also a bit cheaper. Look into it. You could always move that setup to a sweet disk grinder down the road, should you want to step up the house on your belt grinder.
 
You all make good points! After looking at some 3 phase 1.5-2 hp motors and the KBAC 27D on Ebay, it would probably be my best bet to focus my attention in that direction. I've been so use to forging my blades to roughly 80%, knocking the scale off with a DeWalt angle grinder and finishing with files and abrasives. Hopefully this new set-up will make it a little easier on me and my back!

Again, thank y'all for the information, it's helped more than you know!

Steve
 
One more question. As far as rpm's go, would I need to get a 3000+ rpm motor, or would the vfd bring a 1800 rpm motor up to 3000+ rpm's?
 
Total cost $260, well worth it. I just set these up on my Reeder. I like the reeder, but don't think I'd buy a second one. Some parts of it just aren't well thought out, and other parts are way over engineered. When you switch to horizontal mode, it used the tracking knob as a support. Then again the tracking system is just like a Bader, which is awesome.

You will need a 3" square base to mount the grinder to, when you get it in 6 weeks. I used two 2x4 screwed together and it works OK.

Motor: http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-MOTOR-1-...182904?hash=item43b3abb2b8:g:8XwAAOSwRXRZPFnc
VFD: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW1-5KW-2-...hash=item4b06621e8a:m:m9HhCk21dc79bqFFCRpJkSA
 
VigilantOutlaw said:
Hmm... Something to ponder on. I've looked at the KBAC 27 and wondered if it's worth what one would pay for the bells and whistles. As for a step-down pulley system, you're right, it would be counter productive. That's one of the reasons I purchased this type of grinder, so the flange/face of the motor would directly bolt up to the grinder.

I'll probably go with a Leeson or Baldor 1 hp motor for now, then a few years down the road when/if that motor eats the dust I might get a 1.5 hp and vfd. Anyway, thanks for the lesson on single phases and three phase motors. Now I know what to look for when ordering my new motor. Thanks again brother!

Steve
Click to expand...
go on eBay and find a nice 3 phase, 1Hp, motor with a 56C frame. next go here and get a TECO VFD for about $150 delivered. http://dealerselectric.com/FM50-101-C.asp. plan to spend $50 or so on cable and such. google "56C electric motor" and shop. enjoy
 
scott.livesey said:
go on eBay and find a nice 3 phase, 1Hp, motor with a 56C frame. next go here and get a TECO VFD for about $150 delivered. http://dealerselectric.com/FM50-101-C.asp. plan to spend $50 or so on cable and such. google "56C electric motor" and shop. enjoy
Click to expand...
Be careful with the TECO VFDs as the are not typically NEMA sealed. I had to build a housing for mine. Not impossible but just a time consuming PITA.
 
Howard1 said:
Be careful with the TECO VFDs as the are not typically NEMA sealed. I had to build a housing for mine. Not impossible but just a time consuming PITA.
Click to expand...
If you mount your VFD above, behind and to the side of grinder, dust should not be an issue. going to a NEMA 4(dust and water proof) enclosure usually doubles price. if really concerned, buy a piece of white furnace filter material and cover the vent holes.
 
scott.livesey said:
If you mount your VFD above, behind and to the side of grinder, dust should not be an issue. going to a NEMA 4(dust and water proof) enclosure usually doubles price. if really concerned, buy a piece of white furnace filter material and cover the vent holes.
Click to expand...
Scott, In my shop I get metal and resin powder everywhere. I have a vacuum running every minute and I still get buildup everywhere. If my VFD was open it would be covered. Dust even gets through my box in tinyet nervous a amounts if I am grinding resin handles. I asked TECO about mountinground and they strongly recommended building an enclosure. You may be right and I may have wasted a week. But I get nervous around electricity.
 
Howard1 said:
Scott, In my shop I get metal and resin powder everywhere. I have a vacuum running every minute and I still get buildup everywhere. If my VFD was open it would be covered. Dust even gets through my box in tinyet nervous a amounts if I am grinding resin handles. I asked TECO about mountinground and they strongly recommended building an enclosure. You may be right and I may have wasted a week. But I get nervous around electricity.
Click to expand...
Sorry about the mistypes. This keyboard has a mind of its own.
 
Atlas Knife Company said:
Total cost $260, well worth it. I just set these up on my Reeder. I like the reeder, but don't think I'd buy a second one. Some parts of it just aren't well thought out, and other parts are way over engineered. When you switch to horizontal mode, it used the tracking knob as a support. Then again the tracking system is just like a Bader, which is awesome.

You will need a 3" square base to mount the grinder to, when you get it in 6 weeks. I used two 2x4 screwed together and it works OK.

Motor: http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-MOTOR-1-...182904?hash=item43b3abb2b8:g:8XwAAOSwRXRZPFnc
VFD: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW1-5KW-2-...hash=item4b06621e8a:m:m9HhCk21dc79bqFFCRpJkSA
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information! I kinda figured it would take a while, seems like they're swamped; but I'm in no rush.
I've been looking at the same motor, except on Amazon.

Thank all of y'all again, I really appreciate it!
 
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