Drill press recommendations

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Originally Posted by POD

Just a comment about requiring single phase; like most people, I assumed that I would have to overlook the wide selection of used industrial machinery out there, as I don't have 3-phase power. A friend who works in heavy industry put me onto Variable Frequency Drives (in fact gave me one) and I am now running a 3 horsepower 3-phase lathe off 240v single phase. VFDs in this size are around $300 new on ebay. Well worth looking into for those who are wishing they could run bigger gear.

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Very interesting.
Its been 20 years since I've looked at single to 3-phase converters, and back then the info I found was for dodgy home grown stuff with single phase motors driving a 3-phase one as a generator with poor efficiency.

I've passed up some cheap gear from work over the last couple of years as it was all 3-phase :(
Looks like I need to do some more research in this area.

Steve

If I ever had a brain fever and was looking to buy another milling machine, I would be looking for a good used universal with a motorised overarm and vertical head and looking very closely for the accessories that should be with it but often are missing by the time the machine gets to an auction house.

Iv'e been running a 3 phase Deckel FP1 mill in my shed on single phase running through a home brew phase converter for years. If the revs drop to much, the torque disapears and it stalls.Having said that it still easily swings a 75mm tip cutter with 1mm cuts in MS.

In the case of my Deckel, It would be an easy change to a single phase motor (external mount motor driven by vee belt) - It is on my to-do list.

Another bonus of using a mill (or drill mill) is it is very easy to get holes drilled at precise centres without any marking up etc.

Scott

Quote:

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Originally Posted by POD

Just a comment about requiring single phase; like most people, I assumed that I would have to overlook the wide selection of used industrial machinery out there, as I don't have 3-phase power. A friend who works in heavy industry put me onto Variable Frequency Drives (in fact gave me one) and I am now running a 3 horsepower 3-phase lathe off 240v single phase. VFDs in this size are around $300 new on ebay. Well worth looking into for those who are wishing they could run bigger gear.

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Any pics? Looks like they need to be hardwired and screwed down?

It would be nice to have a portable one that could be used with portable equipment???

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Originally Posted by isuzurover

Any pics? Looks like they need to be hardwired and screwed down?

It would be nice to have a portable one that could be used with portable equipment???

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You can always put them in an enclosure with a lead and plug in, and a lead and socket out. We have done that with a few here at work.

Cheers, Mick.

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Originally Posted by Killer

You can always put them in an enclosure with a lead and plug in, and a lead and socket out. We have done that with a few here at work.

Cheers, Mick.

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Yes it was mainly for work that I am interested. I have some 3-phase equipment, but no 3-phase in the new lab...

Rather than continue to hijack this thread, I've posted a new thread on running 3-phase gear off single phase input. Hope the info is helpful.

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Originally Posted by POD

Rather than continue to hijack this thread, I've posted a new thread on running 3-phase gear off single phase input. Hope the info is helpful.

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Thanks - the info is definitely helpful.
Was going to start a separate thread myself but you beat me to it :)

Steve