Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Dec 19, 2008 04:54pm | #1

   Three phase motors are simpler and more reliable than single phase motors since they don't require starter circuits which have centrifugal switches which will eventually require maintenance, but a well made single phase motor can run for decades without problems in a small shop. Three phase motors also have better starting torque and typically run more efficiently than the equivalent single phase motor.

   The down side of three phase is that if you don't already have it in your shop it will be very expensive to have installed, the utility charges will be much higher, and it is simply unavailable in many residential areas.

   If you are going to run a large shop commercial shop, with industrial size machines and enough work to have employees running the machines for hours on end, then three phase is worth having. For a small shop there is no economic advantage.

   You can get converters which will create three phase power for a shop that only has single phase utility service but they are generally only worth investing in if you are buying up old heavy duty three phase equipment at auctions.

   John White

1. 
   woodchuck59 | Dec 19, 2008 05:55pm | #2

   Thank you John for your quick response.  What are your thoughts about the Grizzly G0651 Tablesaw w/riving knife?  I will be in the market for a tablesaw early next year and have not seen a review on this saw yet.  What are your thoughts?

   Sincerely,

   Richard P.

1. 
   JohnWW | Dec 21, 2008 04:29pm | #3

   Richard,The "Experts", as a matter of policy at FWW, aren't allowed to give opinions on individual machines unless they were actually involved in a test and review of the machine in question. In any case I haven't even seen one of the new machines so I just don't have anything to go on.You will find a short review on the new Grizzly and all of the other new riving knife table saws in the Tools and Shop issue of FWW that just came out, you can't miss it, I'm on the cover.John White