Converter or inverter?

[lastminute]

Thinking about buying a school Startrite 3 phase bandsaw in good condition, whats the best way to power it, a Converter or Inverter?
Whats the difference? Is it just a matter of wiring the unit and pressing the green button?
Would changing the motor to a single phase be an option? choices of the 351, 352 and 352s...which is best?

Thanks for any help.

Gerry

 

[beech1948]

Have a look here for info.
http://www.powercapacitors.co.uk/Power_Capacitors_Site/IMO_Inverter_Downloads.html

A Startrite 352 of any type would be fine. The only difference with a 351/2 is that the 352 is two speed.

Bandsaw motors tend to be smaller and of about 0.5 to 1 hp so a smaller digital converter should be OK. Theres lots of literature available on their site but its become a bit more difficult to access.

351/2 are eagerly sought after so maybe buy all three and resell two.

regards
Alan
352 owner.

 

[Boatfixer]

There is a sticky thread at the top of this page - use of induction motors in the home workshop - written by Bob "9 fingers" which contains a link to his article telling you everything you might want to know and more about such questions.
Hope this helps
Graham

 

[dickm]

My recommendation would be to buy any 352 that goes for a reasonable price - easy to adjust and built to outlast the owner!

Mine came (indirectly) from a school, with 3-phase motor. As I had a 1hp single phase motor to hand, just swapped them over. It only involves removing one wire if you are a real cheapskate, because you can parallel the 3 overload contacts to give the current rating needed. But obviously better to replace the start/overload unit with one of the proper current rating for single phase. If it's one of the more recent ones with external switch, it's a doddle. Mine had the switch built into the column, which is a bit more tricky because only certain units will fit.

But you end up with a superb machine. Only one snag - dust extraction is lousy