Thread: Mid-Budget Grinder project

Excellent! I did not know those existed and at that low of a price! Thanks a bunch for doing the homework!

Thanks for the updates. The project looks great so far. I envy the VFD I need one of those for a grinder.

Charlie

I have had the NWG plans for a while, but haven't jumped in yet. I'm interested in seeing how this all works out as well...

So, here comes a few "research" posts. I'm going to post a few pictures that aren't stuff I have in hand -- stuff that other people have done.

First of all... I needed to think about safety and protection of my VFD. it isn't cheap -- and I also have two children. 220V + happy curious kids = Dead kids. Plus, I have heard that dust and contaminates can get into them and fry them.

So...I am on the lookout for an electrical enclosure box. the VFD I purchased also has connections for switches -- stuff like On/off, a kill switch, and the frequency control knobs. None of these things are included with the VFD. They just let you figure it out... so I'll have to build a parts list of crap I need to buy to make the VFD work like i need it to.

Here are some examples of what someone else has done:






So, I will be ever vigilant to find an enclosure deep enough (8"!) to fit my VFD...

More to come...

VFDs require air flow DO NOT FULLY ENCLOSE. I suggest a box with a simple muffin fan on one side and a peice of house hold air filter cut and attached to the other. I actually use something similar, but bigger for a shop air filtration system (with remote control).

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

VFDs require air flow DO NOT FULLY ENCLOSE. I suggest a box with a simple muffin fan on one side and a peice of house hold air filter cut and attached to the other. I actually use something similar, but bigger for a shop air filtration system (with remote control).

Yes, thank you, I have also read this -- I'm going to cut ventilation holes & install a few fans in my enclosure, per mfg. recommendations (they are supposed to go above the unit, apparently) Shoulda mentioned something about it -- that guy's enclosure is lacking them!

i poneyed up the extra 100 bucks for a NEMA4x VFD
i killed the first one after 3 years of use (and blowing out now and then with air to keep clean ) it was not a nema 4

Another update!

I was fairly decided on building my own frame, but, after much consideration I finally decided that purchasing a kit was a wiser decision.

I was quite nervous that after building my own frame, things wouldn't line up perfectly, and I might have all kinds of problems in the end, or be disappointed in my resulting machine. I want to avoid disappointment -- this is, after all, supposed to rival a commercial unit, just at a discounted price!

So, I decided to place an order with Polar Bear Forge. Jamie was kind enough to ship out a grinder kit that he developed with the help of a few others earlier this year. the cost was $260.20. Jamie is my hero! he actually managed to squeeze 54 pounds of pure 1/2" thick steel into a custom-built plywood box that slipped perfectly into a $10.20 flat rate USPS box. how AWESOME is that!

Check out the pics:














This grinder kit is made for a 56C motor frame. However, I looked up the schematics, and my 143t motor's drive shaft is the same height from the screwed in base. So, it is looking like all I'll have to do is drill a couple extra holes to mount my motor in the correct location (the pre-cut holes are slightly off).


Now I have a lot of work to do!!

Oooh, I even got 1.5% paypal cash back. I got it on the VFD too. So, that means...

BUDGET REMAINING: $343.10

That looks very cool.
Thank you for the update.
I really like this thread

Charlie

Man, that thing should be as solid as a rock! Now you have me wondering if I should persue my NWG plans...