Installing a vfd on a drillpress

Robert in Md · Jan 16, 2016

Just purchased a vfd to reduce the speed of my Delta drill press. I have read the directions to hook

it up but I don,t understand some of the directions .. Is all I have to do is hook the 220 single

phase to the vfd and the 3 phase motor to the other side of the vfd. The hookup screws are

small and my wire is big. Do I have to program the think. that my weak point. I,m not good

programing that kind of stuff.

RTA

Paul from MI · Jan 16, 2016

Your limitation may be available torque at low speeds. With mechanical speed reducers/step pulley//etc. available torque to pull large drills at low speeds is increased as speed is lowered. Not so with a VFD.

Steve@Advance · Jan 16, 2016

VFD's come preprogramed to run the basics. It isn't too difficult to program one.

Look at the manual, it will have a list of basic parameters, along with the factory settings. Look through the settings and see if there is anything that will stop it from meeting your needs as is.

If you don't understand a particular setting, it probably won't apply to your basic, simple application. If you get stuck, or it won't work, send us the name, model number of the VFD. We can look up the manual and maybe walk you through it.

David G · Jan 16, 2016

Most VFD's can run to 120 Hz, I might think about sheaving it down so the motor runs faster.

David G · Jan 16, 2016

You will also have to upsize the VFD due to single phase input.

Dusty MI · Jan 17, 2016

Let us know how this works out. I would like to do the same thing, but fear that it would end up, with not enough low end torque.

Dusty

jimlll · Jan 17, 2016

I would like to install a VFD motor on my 12 Craftsman lathe. How do you select a VFD, and where do you purchase?
Thanks for any sugestions

Steve@Advance · Jan 17, 2016

First, a VFD will only work on a 3 phase motor, it will not work on a single phase capacitor start motor.

If your lathe has a 3 phase motor, and you have 3 phase power in your shop, just match the voltage and horsepower to the VFD.

If your lathe has a 3 phase motor, and your shop has single phase power, select the next larger size. If the motor is 1/2 HP, go with a 1 HP VFD.

Ebay has a large selection, be leary of "direct from China" sales!

One other tip, any VFD application, the motor must be started and stopped by the VFD, NOT by a drum switch or reversing starter!

Robert in Md · Jan 18, 2016

Steve, If it is true that I will have to use the switch on the VFD to start and stop the

Drill Press, I have wasted my money. The VFD start and stop buttons are so small I would not

ever think of using that drill press again. There are times when I need to press the stop

button really fast to help from being hurt or to keep the metal from flying everywhere and

the VFD buttons are way to small for my big hands.

Robert in Md.

Steve@Advance · Jan 18, 2016

Robert, you can program the VFD to operate with external start/stop buttons or a drum switch. There is a DC injection function that will bring the motor to a fairly quick stop. Then it can be reversed, but it won't be as quick.

You just don't want to have the reversing switch directly in line from the VFD to the motor. At best it will put it in error, worst it will smoke the VFD!

Remember, when it is running slow, things are going to happen slower, and there won't be as much torque, so it's going to be a different game than before.

missourimasseyman · Jan 19, 2016

(quoted from post at 22:43:25 01/18/16) Steve, If it is true that I will have to use the switch on the VFD to start and stop the

Drill Press, I have wasted my money. The VFD start and stop buttons are so small I would not

ever think of using that drill press again. There are times when I need to press the stop

button really fast to help from being hurt or to keep the metal from flying everywhere and

the VFD buttons are way to small for my big hands.

Robert in Md.

There are usuallly parameters that allow you to install an external safety shut down (big red button), external start and reversing switches and remote potentiometer for varying the speed. These switches are available for the largest of us 'hamfists' and very useful in a dirty, dusty inhospitable environment. The vfd can be installed in an enclosed box (with appropriate venting) and the remote devices mounted on a plate easily accessed by the machine operator.

You will like the versitility of the vfd, but maybe you could consider the total costs of the vfd and options you desire versus the cost of possibly replacing the 3 ph motor with an appropriate single phase.... Try Factorymation or Automation Direct (don't recall) if you've not actually bought one yet. Check out the TECO-50. There is a wide variety of options and the basic unit is less than two bills.

Installing a vfd on a drillpress

Robert in Md

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Paul from MI

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Steve@Advance

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David G

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David G

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Dusty MI

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Robert in Md

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missourimasseyman

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