New toy broke... what should I do?

[Ivan Campos]

Two months ago I bought a new belt grinder to substitute mine that was needing some refurbishing. I did the math and thought getting a new one with a frequency inverter (that gadget that allows you to switch the direction of the belt and control its spped) was a better solution. Well, got it and it was quite expensive. Less than one month later, the inverter broke. The company owner came here on the same day (he is from São Paulo) and I had a new one in two days - greta service, but... it happened again yesterday!
Now I have to wait for the company to get back to work next week to check the warranty and was thinking if it is worthwhile to have such fragile, expensive accessory on my machine, as except for the edges of teh kydex sheaths I have no use for a slower speed. I may need it in the future but am seriously considering removing it along with the original motor and installing my old 3hp motor on the machine. Opinions, anyone?

 

[Don Hanson III]

Ivan, the 3 hp sounds good to me but I really do like my virable speed grinders, I turn my grinders down slow when using finner grit belts. I am going to get a KMG soon and will most likely go with the 3 speed step pulleys and a giant motor, 3 hp+. Also having two grinders is good, if one breaks you're not completely out of business. Good luck man :thumbup:

 

[Bruce Evans]

Ouch!!!! Sorry to hear about the bad luck.....If it was me I would set my old grinder back up and have the other one fixed again.It is more than likely a fluk to get to bad controllers.I actually have 4 grinders set up in my shop.One that has a 1 hp full speed motor for hogging steel and profiling,one that is a variable speed to do all my finish work and all grinding after heat treat,the variable speed gives much more control when grinding.The other 2 have 8 inch wheels and are set up the same as the others,one full speed and one variable speed,these dont get used much except for certain applications,my main two are the first two I mentioned.But at least if I have one grinder go down I have 3 more to work with.

But then I also have 4 working forges and 3 anvils I use,and if I had my way I would have another power hammer and press.

I suggest you stick with the variable speed and get the old one back working also,You will like having both in the shop.

Bruce

 

[Will52100]

I would love to have variable speed, but I do pretty good with a step pully set-up. I would not want to go back to just a single speed grinder. I don't use the slow speeds that much, but they realy do come in handy for finish grinding.

 

[Ivan Campos]

Thanks for your input, buddies. Bruce, That´s not a knife shop that you have - it is a small factory!
Maybe installing a step puley is the way to go, then. Anyway, I´ll only do anything next week - we brazilian need not much excuses for partying and since I can´t work, what else can I do?

 

[ajcz]

well you could buy a gun and tell the guy to come over and have a looksee at your peice o equipment ........ BOOM HEADSHOT