Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 14, 2005 04:51am | #1

   I don't want to discourage you; not sure why you want to reinvent the wheel, so to speak, but if that's your passion, go for it!

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   Grits | Oct 14, 2005 05:05am | #2

   jazzdogg

   I am not trying to reinvent the wheel, just turn it very slowly!

   Grits

2. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 14, 2005 06:06am | #3

   I'd go with a 10" wheel, or, if not that then a 8" wheel.  1.5" thick.  Rig up a water tub for it and turn the wheel at 300-400 rpm.  Any faster than that and it will sling the water back in your face.  A 6" wheel would have to small a radius IMO.  Rig up the fixture so that you can set different angles and heights.

   I'm doing basically the same, except I'm using my lathe set at the lowest speed.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   Grits | Oct 14, 2005 06:23am | #4

   Mike

   Thank you for the input on the wheel size.  I did not know what would give me the best radius.  I use a six inch wheel for high speed steel cutters for my metal lathe but they are small, normally three eights of an inch square.  A ten inch machine will be easier to find in three phase.

   I guess I may be sicker than many.  Some of my most fun metal project are gadgets for woodworking.

   Grits

1. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 14, 2005 06:06pm | #5

   Why 3 phase??

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

3. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 14, 2005 10:55pm | #6

   Will it cost less than my TORMEK?

1. 
   Grits | Oct 15, 2005 02:19am | #7

   Materials for the machine will be much less than the Tormax.  If you value my time, I could probably buy two Tormax's for the time it will take me to build it.

   The reason for three phase is because a variable frequency drive (VFD) will vary the speed of a three phase motor with out losing any torque.  To my understanding, it will not work on a single phase motor.  You have single phase in and three phase out up to about three HP without any power loss.  Above three HP, you lose HP and torque.  VFD's are also used for three phase in and three phase out.  It not only allows you to vary the speed of a motor, you can also utilize electric braking and a soft start.  If have looked into them for use in motors for high pressure irrigation systems.  Really cool technology and inexpensive for small motors.

   Grits

1. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 15, 2005 05:50am | #8

   Once you get a 10" x 1.5" stone up to speed, you won't need much torque to keep it going.  A 1/4 HP, 1750 rpm motor with a 6/1 step down pulley arrangement would give you about the right speed and more than enough torque.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   h12721 | Oct 16, 2005 04:03am | #9

   And at a cheaper prize, lot less $$$

   Hilmar