What can be done with an old 2.5HP 3Phase 220 Grinder? Disk sander/belt grinder?

P

PrinceArmory

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Mar 23, 2008
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First off, this machine is just sitting in a shop and the owner said he'd part with it, says it runs great and if so, what would it be worth? Couldn't find it online but its a big sucker, probably many years old, 1750 rpm, one side had a 12" grinding wheel, the other a cutting disk. Model 160-1040, no visible brand.

Anyway, I was thinking, would it be feasible to convert it into a combo unit with one side powering a big flat disk, and the other a nice wide 6" belt or the like? Anyone ever build anything like that? I can figure it out if the motor works I think but if I can stand on the shoulders of giants as they say, might make life a little easier.

Any input will be appreciated
 
Anything is possible with us knifemakers.

I'm sure you already know you'll need 3 phase power (or power supply), or a minimum rated 2.5HP VFD to run the thing.
If you're not already equipped with either of the above, expect on spending a few hundred on top of whatever he lets it go for.

At that point, it may not be worth it, considering the work you'll have to do to convert it into a usable disk/belt sander or whatever else you might come up with.

If you do have 3 phase capability already, offer him what it's worth to you, and if he takes it, go for it.
 
Anything's possible, it just takes longer and costs more...

2.5 hp should be enough power to run a belt and disk sander, and 3 phase means you can get a VFD to run it off of and change the speed if you want. If it's feasible or not to convert it from what sounds like a bench grinder into a belt/disk machine depends on your metal working skills and the tools available to you, whether or not there's a pre-built conversion kit available that would fit the machine and suit your needs, or if you need or want to build from scratch....

The sanding disk plate should be pretty easy to source, especially if you can live with the end of the grinder shaft and a nut in the center on the working surface, look for sanding conversion plates designed for table saws. The work rest/table might be more of a challenge to rig up. I've seen some belt sander conversion kits designed to bolt on to bench grinders, I was not very impressed with the quality, but YMMV and I have not seen all the ones that are available
 
sounds good, but as stated could out weigh its worth getting it up and running, unless of course you change out the motor and can find a single phase cheap..
 
Yeah I can pick it up for 50 bucks, along with a whole dust collection and air filtration system from an old saw mill for another 50 bucks. I thought the building I'm working in had 3 phase, it used to be a chemical factory but it's just 2 phase. Bumping to 3 is kind of a pain, on top of everything else I'd have to do. Think I will call it off
 
For $50, it's worth it for the motor alone. Not sure about prices in the States, but in Ontario a new 2HP electric motor is $150+ iirc.
 
Oh sure, I figured it'd be worth it, but its worthless to me if I can't use it. Now if I could trade it, that'd be another story. But shipping would be a pain too though
 
I assume both ends turn on the same shaft? What size is the shaft? It may come into play if you plan to use it as direct drive .Don't insult him with your offer but if it's an old motor and you explain what your going to do with it and the $$ you'll have to spend to make it work for you I'd personally not go over $35-50 for it . How well do you know the owner? If it's an old , old motor it shouldn't be worth that much if you look at a used but newer ones costs to judge it off of. This is just my limited personal knowledge from researching vfd's and motors before purchasing new ones last week. I have very limited experience with such things but if you can get it for a steal it might be worthwhile. I'd look at how much the disc sander to fit on it will be and what kind of drive wheel you'll need if you plan to use it as a disc sander / belt grinder first. From my limited knowledge but many hours of research recently I found the higher the hp the larger the shaft and many places sell drive wheels , disc sander faces for a certain shaft size which is smaller. Without machining equipment changing the shaft size or other part size to have it done is expensive so it might not be worth buying at all. I'd say lowball and try to get both dust collector and motor for $50-70 , it's single phase 220v? ( 2 hots and a ground) a drive device to control the motor if you want to adjust it or a pulley system to change speed and a power switch in between the drive device and the power source would be good. I've learned the hard way that used and a "steal" is looking for trouble, reference a $1000 2 hp 2x72 with vfd which I've spent another $1000 on for 10x2 wheel, new motor and vfd and drive wheel and I may have to do more when I could've spent that $ on something new and reliable.


Just some food for thought.
 
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You can get a 10hp 3ph rotary converter for $750, at least that is what I paid for mine. You need to double the expected HP to have enough start up power. It would be worth it if you plan on doing this for any period of time. I wish I had done the rotary converter 10 years ago. It works better with the VFDs also.
 
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