Someone locally selling old Montana Belt grinder with two 6"belts, possibly in working conditions. Need some advise what to look for when I go to check it out.
6"belts wide enough for nowadays skis?
Any advice
Of course right now I don't really need it, but for the price I will keep it for the future
Well, like anything, try to start it up and see what happens. If it doesn't start and you're electrically savvy, try to find where the problem is and how much it'll take to fix.
Motors on stuff like that are probably expensive. I'm looking at about $1000 or more to buy just parts to build one.
Make sure the axles the wheels run on are straight don't wobble.
First check the power supply. Single phase 220 or three phase. Converters are not cheap even if you build one. Width depends on the ski size, If yoour ski is no wider than 6" you would be okay.
ra
Looks to be in pretty good shape (assuming its mechanically sound). Mine was a disaster when I got it and required an entire rebuild/restoration (I have a good thread on here all about it).
If it's three phase pass on it, unless you want to get a new motor for it. The autofeeds look really nice (I just made an autofeed for my grinder)
Don't worry about new belts, there are a few places online to get belts made to any size for very cheap (I get mine through Econoway). Mine uses 8" wide belts, 80" hoop length, and its like $15 for a ceramic belt.
Does it come with any binding bridges? (I'm looking for one)
6" will let you run 150mm at the widest skis. Wide enough for most, but not all.
Sean - you built an autofeed from scratch, but looking to buy a bridge? come on man!
Haha. Well... I did actually make a bridge this past weekend, and it works ok... but not great. I'm going to make a new one with shallower ramps (my ramps were too steep and my motor isn't powerful enough). But if I could just find a real one to buy, I could get back to actual ski making, instead of ski-tool-making!
Twiz,
Contact me through pm. I have about six or eight that are either plastic or Glass. Most are winterstieger brand.
ra
I was told currently 3 phase 220, but machine European and can be easily wired to single face with simple switch replacement . Not sure how much it's true I am not electrician.
electrical fail.
3 phase is 3 phase, unless you run it through a converter. you can usually go 120-->220 and vice versa by changing the wiring (of a single phase motor).
Three phase converters. I got min at Phoenix rotary phase converter (texas I think). Three phase motors are usually very strong motors.
ra
Those older Montana's are beasts, built out of 1/4" plate. They are (at least ours are) 220v 3 phase and the motors won't start without 3 phase service or a converter. Check craigslist for converters, some pretty good deals out there now.
Get it, you won't be disappointed.
I have one of these grinders (well an older model)
Yes they will run on single phase, but single phase 220V
You need to rewire in Delta (if the motor is wired star) with a Capacitor across one of the phases.
It will have almost no starting torque, but once it's up to speed it will run fine
Twizzstyle,
Here are the bridges.
ra
update to this old thread.
Back in 2010 I missed this grinder. While I was thinking somebody snatch it from under my nose. Later on I met the guy under different circumstances. Last week unexpectedly he called ....and I got the machine. Unfortunately price was bit higher from two years ago but small price to pay for lesson learned: If you find something you going to need for a great price don't think shoot first ask questions later.
Wow that is an awesome machine, congrats!! If you need new belts, I get mine from Econoway abrasives. Pretty cheap for any custom size you need.
THX
first I need to get converter and make or find somewhere binding bridge. 2 new aluminum oxide belts on it now. . I want to put switch on the pump this way machine can be use dry as wood sander.
Check with rockaukum for a bridge. I bought mine from him and he had a bunch at the time.
I use my grinder as a dry sander all the time, it's amazing. Just remember to protect the coolant from any sawdust. That will turn your coolant nasty fast.
design of this machine similar to edge sander for woodworking.
In future will make new site panel so dust collector can be connected.
Coolant tank in a separate compartment under-knees and can be easily isolated and covered. My only concern the pump. I have two options here to install switch or loop liquid back to the tank and keep pump running.
there should be a valve on the water hose that you can shut off/on, but a switch on the water pump would be best to have.
good score !
how to properly size a phase converter? Static or rotary?
drive motor powered draw 2.2 kW, feed motors and pump 0.2 and 0.1 kW.
I'm not an expert on how to properly size a phase converter, but at mininmum I think you need to run a rotary pc.
I actually met today with our local metal fab guy, and he says for a little bit more money, invest in a frequency inverter. We operated one of his machines equipped with it, and what it did was allow for almost infinite adjustment of the motor speed.
He also quoted me on a brand new rotary pc 5-8 hp, for $300 cdn. Hot Damn ! I been looking at used ones for $750.
I spoke with Montana office and they suggested 3hp. Phoenix selling 3hp for $285. $300 for 5--8 hp sounds really good. How much for 3--5 hp?
frequency inverter==> very interesting idea. Realistically can be added later. I would love to have feed motor running at different speeds
Why are you not just rewiring this to run single phase? Talk to idris.
Find a local electric motor rebuild shop and trade it in.
You'll get a pretty good price for your motor then buy a single phase 220v motor.
Will probably cost less than the conversion. And way less hassle.
Rewiring or phase convertor will work but it sounds like it's over your head (No offense)
Finding the right start capacitor may be a bit of a challenge if you do decide to try the rewire.
Three phase motors will continue to run if they drop a leg. Not good for the motor and they wont start with just 2 legs.
My advice, don't dick around with, it just trade it for what you need.
sam
thank you everybody for your great input.
I decide to go with phase converter. if I have better knowledge for electrical stuff would build one.
I done little bit of research found diagrams looks like straightforward and easy to follow. From all diagrams founded online this one simplest one
http://www.arco-electric.com/PDFs/RotoPhaseWiringDiagram11112005.pdf
for the most part phase converters I found an average price for 3 hp unit starting at $300 not including shipping.
on subject of replacing motors for single phase of course it doable if
after doing a research and speaking with people decided to go with variable frequency drive instead of phase converter
it's cheaper smaller and probably more effective or efficient since there is no second motor running. Also VFD add soft start which good for the motors and variable speed. Maybe in the future will add second VFD to control speed for feed motors
My sender will be located in unheated garage. Water with coolant concentrate not going to work too well in the winter and I don't really want to drain it every time sender used.
how about to use windshield washer fluid instead of water to make
emulsion mix with concentrate?
Smart. Should work splendidly
