Replies

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Jun 09, 2005 04:00pm | #1

   'Is there any advantage of three phase over single phase power. I have both at my home'

   Wow, we have no such luxury here in the US, most residential areas only have single phase available.

   Advantages of 3 phase over single are; Motor is smaller and simpler, since the motor is simpler it lasts longer and is less problematic, the motor also has much better torque, the list goes on.

   Not sure if they are imported to Australia, but you might want to check out a Mini-Max MM16 or MM20 band saw

   Best of luck

1. 
   BigKirks | Jun 10, 2005 01:38am | #4

   Three phase is a special install, but we have it for our pool so it is not too hard to extend it to the garage.

   The three phase motors were the ones of choice for the pool so I figured it would be the same for the machinery.

   At the recent woodworking show in Sydney there was a distributor of Miini Max Table Saws so Maybe they also import the Bandsaws. I will follow it up.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 10, 2005 05:17am | #7

   Ooooo, if you could get a MiniMax, it'd be just too cool!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 09, 2005 06:53pm | #2

   Can any body suggest what principal features we should be looking for and what size would be ideal for a first acquisition.

   LOL.. What a loaded question!

   Just a reminder... If you are working with LOGS.. Get a BIG saw AND a crane! and some roller stands to hold up both of the ends..

   If you have 3 phase USE IT! Better motors and less expensive to operate (I think)..

   I been to Australia.. Nice folks but ya talk funny~

1. 
   BigKirks | Jun 10, 2005 01:41am | #5

   I don't know about talkin' funny, but down under is a really great place to live.

   We will mainly be working initailly with timber which is alreadt sawn, So I might pass on the crane.

   Appreciate your thoughts on the three phase motors.

3. 
   forestgirl | Jun 09, 2005 08:40pm | #3

   Having 3-phase power should open up your possibilities for used industrial machinery, but might not do you much good when picking out new "normal" saws.  At least in the US, they come with single-phase motors.

   You might want to contact Dave at Australian Wood Art for suggestions.  He is a regular participant at the WWA forum, and was commissioned for the Tsunami Hope Chest by that group.

   Here's his contact page:
   http://australianwoodart.com/contact.htm

   or if you'd rather go through the forum, you could post for "Dave in Cairns" at this site.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   BigKirks | Jun 10, 2005 01:43am | #6

   Thanks for the heads up. I will get in contact with Dave.