Replies

1. 
   mike_b | Jul 11, 2006 01:59am | #1

   May be a fair price if it's in decent shape. Check out this link (table saws are down at the bottom) to see what some others have paid and what condition the saws are in.

   http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/ByMfg.asp?MfgID=655

   You may want to keep the 3 phase and get an AC Drive to convert it to single -- may be cheaper than replacing with a single phase and give you the option of soft start as well. I think anything that vintage Powermatic is good and would probably go for it.

   
   

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   Edited 7/10/2006 7:00 pm ET by Mike_B

1. 
   RickL | Jul 11, 2006 02:16am | #2

   Variable Frequency Drive or VFD is the correct term for this type of converter. Best prices I've found for these is http://www.factorymation.com

1. 
   Napie | Jul 12, 2006 10:33pm | #3

   A VFD is not a phase converter; it is a <!----><!----><!---->Variable Frequency Drive<!----><!---->. They are for speed control, often used on better lathes.  A rotary or stationary phase converter is just that, it changes single phase power to three phase.

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 12, 2006 10:40pm | #4

   You can purchase VFD's that run on single phase input but still have three phase output, giving phase conversion and electronic control.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

2. 
   RickL | Jul 13, 2006 03:26am | #5

   If you look closer at the lathes you will see they use a three phase motor and a VFD for the variable speed. You cannot use a VFD on a single phase motor BTW.

    

   Like John said...VFD can allow you to run three phase machines on single phase. I've put them on a Bridgeport and shapers and other machines. Rotary phase converters can run multiple different size hp motors and a VFD must be sized to the appropriate hp motor and can have problems with older motors where Rotary Phase converters are more flexible in that respect. My local motor shop has a 1 hp drill press that runs off a Baldor VFD on 120 volts which is pretty cool. A Rotary requires 220 volts. Another interesting feature about VFD's is you can double the motors rated rpm and give soft start and soft stop and tons of other bells and whistles. Have you ever seen the manual on programming VFD's? Pretty lengthy reading material. http://www.factorymation.com is one of the best sources for inexpensive VFD's. I've been involved with repairing machines and phase converters for over 25 years so I have pretty good handle on what works best. Besides your static converters, rotary convers and VFd's there is a fourth player out there. http://www.phaseperfect.com which is more expensive but it is a digital means of phase conversion but doesn't have the bells and whistles of a VFD. It just takes single phase power and converts it to three phase.

    

   Edited 7/13/2006 8:03 am ET by RickL

1. 
   Napie | Jul 13, 2006 04:56pm | #6

   That is interesting, in the world I work in, (100HP motors are the norm), we only see VFD's for speed control.  Just goes to show, you learn something new every day!