Welcome to Westwood Metalworks, What is he building in there?

[CWret]

I appreciate your comments. This design concept is far from complete, lots of bugs to work out. Yet I'm glad you don't see any show-stoppers. The two main focuses were to: make it a bit more compact; and to incorporate an easy-to-change pair of step pulleys. I'd likely use 4 steps on the pulleys (not 3 steps as in my sketch). A bigger motor with a VFD would be a huge improvement but also a HUGE cost increase.

I agree that the motor I have is a bit on the small side and more is usually better in this kind of a project. If I decide to proceed, the motor may get upgraded first.
But - it is an old-school 7.8 amp 1/2 Hp Baldor and weighs-in at 34 pounds. In comparison, my Crappy Tire 8" bench grinder claims to give 1/2 Hp from 5 amps and it weighs 32 pounds (that's complete with grinding wheels and a work light).

 

[Susquatch]

@CWret - my 4x36 belt sander has a half horse motor on it. It's 4.3 amps on 115 only - no 220 option. It's more than enough. I tried to stall it. Not happening without jumping or destroying the belt.

I'm not saying that more horsepower wouldn't be better. Just that 1/2 seems to work just fine for what I do with it. The platten on it is 5x12.

 

[Tom O]

You could use or make a variable pulley

 

[CWret]

Kinda like a skidoo/ATV transmission??
Thanks but - No idea how that would/could be made to work.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

You could use or make a variable pulley View attachment 57695

Funny you mention that. At one point I was seriously considering making a mechanical variable speed system like Paul Brodie has on his drill press in the video below.

I also had an idea to hide the motor/drive under the table, and run the drive wheel via bevel gear, so that I could still swivel around the gear center.

Lots of mental masturbation for years about cool and different ways to build one, but I'm at the point where now, I just want it to help me make other things. Over complicating things, just ensures they never actually get done.

 

[Tom O]

I have 2 multilith printing presses that haven’t run since 89/ 90 Im going to scrap one day these pulley types were their speed control.

 

[CWret]

Over complicating things, just ensures they never actually get done

been-there & got a few of those T-shirts

 

[historicalarms]

Funny you mention that. At one point I was seriously considering making a mechanical variable speed system like Paul Brodie has on his drill press in the video below.

I also had an idea to hide the motor/drive under the table, and run the drive wheel via bevel gear, so that I could still swivel around the gear center.

Lots of mental masturbation for years about cool and different ways to build one, but I'm at the point where now, I just want it to help me make other things. Over complicating things, just ensures they never actually get done.

Lots of old relic combines still sitting around farm yards in the west that would still have a functioning Cylinder and fan drives that are variable speed shiv's similar to this drive. it might take a few hours to source on but surely do'able.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Cleaned out my tools from the car this morning, and couldn't help but laugh about the size difference of hardware I used to work with, compared to what I work with now..... A #4-40x0.375" flat head vs a 1.25"-12x9" (torched shorter) Flat head.

Saved a few from the scrap bin so I can turn the axles for the grinder from them.

 

[phaxtris]

Ha it is funny how there is such a variety in the same trade for some trades, and everyone has an idea what that trade is

Millwrighting is one of the tougher ones to explain that's for sure

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Yup. I and I thought Machining was varied.....

Don't think I'll ever get bored doing this stuff. Tired and sore though....