Delta Band Saw

[walhondingMF]

I was given a nice delta bandsaw that someone had no use for. Its a 28-303 model and can cut wood and metal. The problem is that it has a 3 phase motor. Does anyone have any suggestions for my situation. I am not an electrician but can handle some simple wiring. I also don't want to pay an arm and a leg for a converter.
Its just a simple 1.5 HP motor. I would assume, if the drive shaft is the correct size, I could buy a harbor freight motor to replace it.

 

[3Ts]

The shaft size and the rpm.

There are different sizes of motors referred to a frame size like a 56 or a 182. If there is a size on the current motors nameplate that will help with an exact fit replacement. As long as the shaft and rpm are the same, you should be able to modify the mount to make it fit.

Frame size chart

 

[dstig1]

You can get a good VFD for a hundred bucks or so, but it does require some programming of sorts. Automation Direct is a good resource and has excellent customer support for dumb newbie questions like I had.

Or go to your local Fleet Farm and get a single phase motor of similar hp and the same RPM and swap it out.

 

[ponytug]

That is a classic. How old is yours?

While you could go buy a numbers matching motor, I would look into a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) as it makes for easy adjustment of the motor and therefore the band speeds to match what you are cutting.

Automation direct has good tech support.

https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/overview/catalog/drives_-a-_soft_starters/ac_variable_frequency_drives_(vfd)

All the best,

Peter

 

[PJRAM]

I was given a nice delta bandsaw that someone had no use for. Its a 28-303 model and can cut wood and metal. The problem is that it has a 3 phase motor. Does anyone have any suggestions for my situation. I am not an electrician but can handle some simple wiring. I also don't want to pay an arm and a leg for a converter.
Its just a simple 1.5 HP motor. I would assume, if the drive shaft is the correct size, I could buy a harbor freight motor to replace it.

Here's a link to the owners manual. https://www.mikestools.com/ownersmanuals/28-303.pdf

 

[kennyd]

Another vote for the VFD route.

 

[walhondingMF]

OK I am going to do my research on the VFD. It does look like amazon has them reasonably priced. I am leaning towards running an independent circuit for it in my garage. How complicated are these VFDs? It looks like they plug into a standard 20A receptacle and then wire directly into the box on the saw.

I am not sure of the age but if I had to guess, early 80s. It came out of a school shop that is being remodeled. The school was originally built in the early 80s.

 

[walhondingMF]

What is the difference between a DPS or a VFD?

 

[Hendey T&G]

Just curious.
How does your saw slow the blade down to cut metal?

 

[Tinhack]

Just curious.
How does your saw slow the blade down to cut metal?

I believe that model has a dog clutch to change between high and low speeds in addition to multi sheeve pulleys.

First off, how do you know it's 3-phase? You can't tell by looking at the plug--It might be just 240v. Does the motor tag say 3ph?

In any case, swapping the motor out shouldn't be bad but for 1.5hp, you'll probably need a 240v motor.

 

[sandman2234]

My 2hp Bridgeport uses a static converter to run it, and they usually aren't very expensive, but do have to be rated for the right size motor you plan to run.
David from jax

 

[oldtimer 66]

I have Wells metal band saw. It was three phase and I purchased a single phase 1/2 hp motor to replace the 3 phase 1/2 hp motor. It was easy to switch over the motor. Just get the correct motor shaft size to match the pulley and or pullies. I set it up and run it on the slowest speed aka the slowest sfm. No coolant. I don't do that much cutting any more. The saw was used and abused before I got it. It had a .88 tall blade but I started using 1.0 tall blades to give it more beam strength. It will cut a 10" X 10 " cube if needed. I use variable pitch blades. See attached details.

 

[tshep]

I suspect, esp for a hobby environment, the VFD may well be overkill - overly complicated.
If the machine was made to select/operate it's own speed system, why duplicate?
In my town, we have a 'get stuff done' district with a motor shop - they can certainly match something up, and marked it down too.

 

[sandman2234]

There is another way, if you happen to have another 3 phase motor laying around that is the same size or slightly bigger. You wire both motors together and use a rope wrapped around the armature to get the idler 3 phase motor started, and once it is running you can start and stop the saw motor at will.
I told an electrician at a manufacturing facility that I worked at, and he argued that it wouldn't work. He went back to electrical shop and wired up what I told him would work, and while it worked just fine, he said it didn't make sense, that it shouldn't work, but yet it did!
He told me later, that he was running a machine at home like this till he came across enough money to buy a VFD, or the company pulled one out of service that was still good. (VFD's used to be expensive!!)
If you want to wire up an idler motor to run it, let me know and I will walk you thru it.
David from jax

 

[walhondingMF]

I had some time to look at the details on the motor. It's only a 3/4 HP motor at 1725 rpms. I think I am just going to find a replacement motor that will run on 110v. My next question though is would it hurt to increase the HP a bit? Say up to 1 HP or 1.5 HP? Would it be worth it or would I be causing problems?

And yes, I am just a hobbyist that's always wanted his own band saw. I am even more excited its capable of cutting metal.

 

[Egon]

More HP is desirable. It should cause no problems. The belts must be tight or dressing may have to be used.