Clutch Machine

We currently have an industrial flywheel machine that we use to cut discs, floaters, hat and flywheels on and it works great, never a problem until now. We built a new race car shop and the area we are moving to does not have 3 phase power (which is what my machine requires). I am going to have to buy a new machine to cuts our clutch on and wanted to know what everyone else uses. I see alot of people use simple homemade looking machines and others with giant roll around carts, what should I buy? I dont really need it at the track because I have plenty of spares so this will stay at the shop.

 

Why don't you get a phase converter or build one.

 

Will a static phase converter work with a 5.5hp grinder?

 

McMaster - Carr has them to 10hp

 

After reading about phase converters they recommend not using a static because it does not produce full 3 phase power and they say it will burn up the electric motor you are using. Anyone know about this? Rotary Converters produce full 3 phase power but cost nearly 10 times as much.

 

I use a static converter on my lathe & mill and haven't burned them up yet of course I don't use them everyday. You can also use a VFD drive on it also and it will work as a phase converter.

Try here also http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...1&q="homemade+rotary+phase+converter"&spell=1

 

How about changing out the motor and rewiring the machine to suit standard 240? Might be the cheapest in the long run if you don't have other equipment also requiring 3-phase.

A decent replacement grinder (Van Norman FG4000R) is going to be at least $10k new with the necessary bells & whistles & tooling. The 4000R is a lot like their other stationary shop machines, but is on a nice push cart and can either be wheeled around the shop or taken to the track. Available as 2 or 3 phase.

 

build yourself a rotary one very easy
http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/ph-conv/ph-conv.html
i have one built from this and use it on my bridgeport and 5 hp turnado lathe
or use a Variable-frequency drive
some will accept single phase in and output 3 phase
problem is nobody asked if he had 480 at the new place or 240
and if the motor was 240 or 480 or has taps for 240 if it is 480
not many chances of single phase 480

 

You might want to check this site http://www.regionalmfg.com/three-phase-transformers.html

 

I use an Anderson Static Phase Converter for my 5 HP lathe, it was cheap and works fine.

I use a VFD to control my Fuelflow Bench, it's 1 PH in and 3 PH out.

For the lathe, hindsight I would have purchased a VFD with a speed dial built right into it. Then it would have not only converted the phases but also would have given me infinetly variable speed control.