Motor size and mounting

G

gmwoodturner

New Member
Good day all
I have just finished building my KMG clone and now ready for a motor. I have been looking at a new 2 HP baldor TEFC . I friend gave me a Leeson controller, older one but it works so that's one less expense. Now for the question. What is the best way to mount it? direct drive or with a shaft and pulley ?
Thanks for your help
Gary
 
Gary,
Direct is the smoothest by far and I recommend you go through any additional expense & work to do it.

The machine and motor will run cooler and smoother for longer!

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
+1 on that. Mine is a 3 speed and I have additional bearings, keys, and the whole shebang to maintain. Extra noise and I estimate the belts and pulleys are taking ten percent of my power just to spin. On my 2nd belt. As soon as I have the money I am direct mounting it with a shaft to shaft collar and VFD.
 
I also like Frank started with a pulley system on my Coote grinder and it got me up and running when I didn't have the bucks for a direct drive.After I made and sold about 50 knives I then purchased a Hardcore products machine through my friends at http://www.trugrit.com/knife-hardcore.htm

The diff is night and day on smoothness, tracking in fine adjustment and almost no vibration, not to forget the increase in power that Frank mentioned. In 15 years I have never had the Hardcore even Burp on me. The Motor is a bit different of a story.

While I was having motor problems with the hardcore machine I purchased a KMG with belt drive because I had several motors & I thought it would be better than the Coote?

It isn't, just a bit more versatile and I wouldn't buy another KMG even if it was direct drive. I use the KMG mostly as a small wheel machine and will most likely sell it when I can purchase a TW-90 with all the bells & whistles.

The belt pulley system works and if I have to I can always hook up my old Coote machine to make knives. I don't ever see myself buying another belt drive grinding machine.

If you have the money, GO DIRECT!

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
I too recommend direct drive for all the reasons mentioned above. It is easy enough to convert a KMG type machine to direct drive.
Balders are good motors but expensive. I don't believe that translates to better.
I sell the ToolMex and TechTop motors and have only had one motor that had any problem. We notified the company and they immediately sent another motor. Didn't even want the original motor back to check it out. The just took my customer's word for it.
Mate that with a KBAC 27D VFD and you have a real machine.

Let me know if I can help you.
 
Wayne Coe said:
I too recommend direct drive for all the reasons mentioned above. It is easy enough to convert a KMG type machine to direct drive.
Balders are good motors but expensive. I don't believe that translates to better.
I sell the ToolMex and TechTop motors and have only had one motor that had any problem. We notified the company and they immediately sent another motor. Didn't even want the original motor back to check it out. The just took my customer's word for it.
Mate that with a KBAC 27D VFD and you have a real machine.

Let me know if I can help you.
Click to expand...

Wayne,

You mean Baldor motors? Correct?
I also think Balbor motors are a bit over rated and having owned a few for Grinders I will go with a Leeson or maybe one of the motors you sell on my grinder

A Baldor buffing machine though is hard to beat and worth the cost in my experience.

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
You are correct Laurence.
I am afraid to use buffing wheels. They grab knives (or anything else you are buffing) and throw them back at you.
I use a Nielsen disk grinder with a disk of bathroom carpet glued in place of abasive paper then use buffing compound.
You not only have a wider buffing area, it doesn't grab.
 
I also didin;t use a buffer for many years for that same reason. I have a sign about my buffer that say's NO Talking! Just to remind me again of the dangers. Always keep your item below the 180 degree in the third quadrant and focus on what the heck you are doing!

If you use one or not? Baldor makes a excellent buffer!
Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com

www.rhinoknives.com
 
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