Death of a machine

[3Ts]

The air tool thread brought up 3phase motors and VFDs which is what this is about.

I have a lathe that has a 2hp 3phase motor run by a VFD off of 1phase 240v power. Unfortunately, the magic smoke got loose. The motor has a short in one of it's coils and the VFD is fried. My options are:

1) Replace the motor and VFD with a matched pair from the OEM. This will save $100 over the cost of the entire machine replacement (new it's about a $2k machine)

2) Rebuild the motor and use a 3rd party VFD. This will be about half the cost of replacing the entire machine and will require some programming of the VFD.

3) Replace the entire machine. This is the quickest and easiest way and gets all new parts every where. This is the way I'm thinking of taking.

So, what do you do with a 400# machine that is no longer useful? I hate to scrap it, but that seems to be the only option.

 

[oosik]

I wonder. Are there any parts on the old lathe that might come in handy on a new lathe? I'm speaking of consumables? I think your decision to replace the entire machine is based upon sound financial reasoning. Repair of the old - within $100 of the cost of a new unit. That's an easy decision.

Try advertising for a very low price. Who knows - somebody, somewhere may have a use.

 

[Oldpath05]

If dont want to rebuild then try FB market place or maybe ebay, then go to Grizzly and start over. Last year I bought a small lathe from Smithy because Grizzly was sold out on the model I wanted, I had a Grizzly 20 years ago and think it was a better machine.

Lathes - Metalworking

 

[ponytug]

Given the costs, I'm with you that $100 away from a new machine is an easy choice.

Can I offer a possible number 4? Replace the motor and the VFD with non-OEM versions? Surplus center has a 2hp and a VFD for about $400, plus shipping at the moment. Not pushing them as a vendor, just giving you an idea of the potential cost.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Popgadget]

Unless the motor is a nonstandard frame size, look on eBay for a used motor. I run my Bridgeport with a $75 VFD that I bought new on EBay.

 

[4570Man]

I’d buy an aftermarket motor and VFD for a lot less than 2k and be back to work. Finding a 3 phase motor should be a breeze. They’re literally worth about scrap.

 

[3Ts]

Thanks. I hadn't thought about Surplus Center even thou I've bought a bunch of stuff from them. As for non-OEM, I'm fine with that. I had a non OEM VFD on it and managed to smoke that also before I found the short in the motor. If I can find a cheap motor I'll try that route before I replace the machine.

 

[the old grind]

Show us more of the machine, motor frame size, etc. There are sure to be a lot of options and this may be a chance to get better stuff for less than first imagined.

That said, while SC is our source for 3-Ph motor pulls & take-offs the best deals/inventories come and go. I suggest a longer term vs immediate perspective when shopping there. (oh, the $79 2hp 3-Ph TEFCs I let slip away ..)

btw, the trick to VFDs is being sure whether or not yours is de-rated for 1-Ph input. Cutting it close is when stuff can go South. WIMI, don't buy a 1-2hp VFD for a 2HP motor, buy a 2-3hp if not 3-5hp if you aren't sure. Also don't let anything with critical electrolytic caps (VFDs, CSCR 1-Ph motors, etc) sit for 6-mos without a 1/2 hr or so no load run-in to 'reform' the caps for max life and best performance. (You knew that)

 

[pmsmechanic]

(You knew that)

I didn't so thanks.

 

[MilersoPisa]

Hehe, I wonder if you can try to do this. By the way, does anyone know where you can buy such industrial spare parts for yourself? I just want to build one engine and I need any spare parts, even if they are old, I buy all this, it seems to me that it will come in handy. If someone can help me find a site where you can buy these parts, I would be very happy. Write to me in private messages, if anything, I will read all the options. And so I wish you all a good mood and hope you will help me too