3-Phase Dilemma

[JohnnyBoy2012]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum and want to say hi, I'm a DIY guy and was wondering if its ok to post a noob kinda question.

I bought an old Rockwell Unisaw a while back, not realizing that the electrical requirements should have been the first thing I looked at before leaping.. yeah my bad..

So before I throw the saw away (I only spent 80 bucks on it) I thought I'd ask on the forum here since there's some very smart folks here.

I have 110V and 220V at my house, residential service.
The table saw is a 3 phase, 220V. However it has some kinda configuration panel. I've included pics. My question is, is there any *safe* way to make this thing run with the power I have available, or is it going to be either:
1) Way above a DIY thing or 2) Way too expensive to have an electrician figure it out, or 3) Cannot make the saw run on anything else but 3-phase and hence its outta the question for me to try since my residence is not 3-phase capable.

Or maybe all 3

Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to write back. Even if its to say its a lost cause. I will appreciate the honesty.

Take care.
John

 

[A_Pmech]

Welcome!

It looks like it's time for you to build a rotary phase converter. Then you'll be able to buy more 3-phase woodworking machinery.

The "Fitch Williams" 10HP converter design on Practicalmachinist.com is very popular.

 

[larry_g]

I built this converter http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/ph-conv/ph-conv.html in the 5hp version many years ago and it has worked without fail since.

Depending on your HP you could also use a variable frequency drive, VFD, and replace the control box you have there. Some VFD's will take 240 single phase in and give 3 phase out.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[930dreamer]

What's the hp on the Unisaw?

 

[Norcal]

Your choices are, change the motor to single phase, the Rockwell LVC control already there should be OK to use for 1Ø, would need to verify though, if the motor is 3 HP or smaller a VFD is economical to buy, 240 volt 1Ø input, 240V 3Ø output, above 3 HP can get spendy, option #3 is a RPC as suggested already, a static converter is a bad idea since all they do is start a 3Ø motor & then they drop out & the motor single phases, + 1/3 of HP is lost.

I bought a 1973 vintage Unisaw that had a 2 HP 3Ø motor, it was wired 480V & the controls were sized so the starter had to be replaced to use 240V from a RPC, orig. plan was to buy a VFD & run it that way but there were issues w/ the motor & put a 3 HP 1Ø motor on it, at the time it was around $340 incl.shipping from WI, it is more now but is a option, have a couple of other Rockwell former school machines that have 200V 3Ø motors, that VFD's were the only option....


Edit: the LVC Low Voltage Control is fine for a 3 HP single phase motor, for $80 you can afford to put a little money in it & still be ahead.

Use this link to get a idea of the age of the saw, my guess it's 1974 or newer because of the peace sign era Rockwell International tag. http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/DeltaSerialNumbers.ashx

 

[Sureshot]

Nice saw. I run my lathe on a static convertor and have no problems. You may want to put your location in your profile and maybe someone will but it off you.

 

[vanessar]

If you cant sell it, try re selling it..

 

[jameswood]

Phase conv or re purpose that thing to a router table!

 

[ddawg16]

$80? Great price....

But before you spend any money on it....make sure the motor works....there might be a reason it was only $80.

If you need a new motor....then it would be cheaper to go 1ph 240Vac...but you need to plan on giving it at least a 20a dedicated ckt.

 

[G_P]

I would replace the motor. Single phase used motors are all over Craigslist.

Sent via carrier pigeon.

 

[Norcal]

Unisaw motors have a proprietary mounting bracket.

 

[Jarcese]

$80 is a crazy deal especially if it came with any type of fence. Sell that motor and get a new one. Finding a working Unisaw for under $400-500 is almost impossible around me no matter what age it is. You could probably get the motor, dust door, new bearings, new belts, and a used right wing for around $400.

Unisaws are really fun to restore so at the very least, clean it up nice before you sell. You will have fun with it and get a 500% return at the least.

I attached my Unisaw that I'm about $500 into(saw was a hand me down) and similar saws on CL are around $1200.

The saw will last forever if you put just a little TLC in every 20 years or so

 

[RPH]

Vfd drive. Easiest and cheapest alternative.

 

[JohnnyBoy2012]

Thanks for all the replies! Some great ideas. Much appreciated.

John

 

[rsanter]

Can you remove the motor and take it to a motor shop that will test run it?
If it works, I'm voting using a VFD

Bob

 

[Spudland_Dave]

IMO First thing that needs to happen is you need to Determine if existing motor is good or bad...that would dictate the route I would take. If Bad without a doubt I'd tear apart the rest of the saw to verify it will be a good finished product and then buy a replacement 1ph motor...wouldn't want to buy a new motor for something that may be hiding some more expensive problems. Quick googling shows those motors aren't too expensive and readily available.
IF the motor is good..VFD is an option I'd consider.

Only problem with keeping it 3phase IMO is something you benefited from...piss poor resale.

 

[mjozefow]

I have two Elimia Industrial RPC's and I like them. One is a 7.5hp and one is a 15hp. Great service, reasonable prices, and they are USA made in Alabama