Electrical Motor question

[paulrey27]

Hello board,

I'm looking into buying an older bandsaw and but it only has one speed. My question is: Is there some sort of regulator that you could install between the plug and the motor to moderate the speed...for instance, to cut metal, I would need about 10% of the speed that it is currently putting out. I've seen these things used before but with smaller current applications. Would the motor work given, say, half the amperage?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks so much.

 

[rquackenbush]

Yes - you're looking for a VFD - Variable Frequency Drive. I don't know which one you should use for a bandsaw (it will depend on the amperage, voltage and phases you're using) but that should get you started looking in the right direction.

 

[lametec]

VFD is for 3-phase motors, so if that's what the saw has, that'll work.

If not, your best bet would be to convert it to a DC motor and use a motor controller.

Or, depending on the saw, you might be able to adapt a step pulley setup to it.

A rheostat type that you're thinking of won't work. They're for routers etc that use "universal" type motors (brushed motors). Even if it did, by the time you lower the supply power enough to have 10% of the current speed, there just wouldn't be any power left for cutting.

 

[paulrey27]

Yes - you're looking for a VFD - Variable Frequency Drive. I don't know which one you should use for a bandsaw (it will depend on the amperage, voltage and phases you're using) but that should get you started looking in the right direction.

Seems legit. 120V, 7.7A, 1-phase is the unit I'm looking at.

VFD is for 3-phase motors, so if that's what the saw has, that'll work.

If not, your best bet would be to convert it to a DC motor and use a motor controller.

Or, depending on the saw, you might be able to adapt a step pulley setup to it.

A rheostat type that you're thinking of won't work. They're for routers etc that use "universal" type motors (brushed motors). Even if it did, by the time you lower the supply power enough to have 10% of the current speed, there just wouldn't be any power left for cutting.

Sorry but might you slow it down for me. I don't have a lot of electrical knowledge. I thought about modifying the pulleys but didn't know if I could find something to fit on it.
I'm intrigued by the idea of converting it to a DC motor but again, over my head.
Thanks to both of you guys for the comments. I am afraid I need a bit more help.

 

[paulrey27]

 

[larry_g]

That motor is single phase and CANNOT be controlled with a VFD. That motor cannot be speed controlled by any common means. Like said above you would have to use a gearbox to reduce the speed, use some different pulleys, or change out the motor to one that can be controlled electrically either AC or DC.

lg
no neat sig line