[pianotech] newman planer, powermatic bandsaw

Sun Apr 12 12:54:19 PDT 2009

Bob,

                I run them all off of a single 30 amp circuit which, of course, means that I have to unplug and plug in when I want to change machines. I can tell you that the power reduction is nowhere near 1/3. I had heard when I bought the converter that the power reduction could be as much as 10% for which I said “big deal”. It’s harder on the life of the motor too since it builds up heat faster. I don’t consider this a problem either since I’m not using them for extended periods of time therefore the heat buildup is less. I paid about $200 for the converter if memory serves (which, increasingly, it does not). I’ll have to read your article here when I get the chance.   

Greg Newell

Greg's Piano Forté

www.gregspianoforte.com

216-226-3791 (office)

216-470-8634 (mobile)

P.S. if you really want to do it well try looking at the phase perfect website. At one time they declared no reduction whatsoever. Lot’s of money required for perfection it seems. http://www.phaseperfect.com/

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of BobDavis88 at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 3:32 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] newman planer, powermatic bandsaw

Greg,

Thanks for your note. I'm hoping to add some heavier machinery some day, and this looks like it's worth some further examination. I did a little digging, and a static converter seems to reduce the rated horsepower by 1/3, which might or might not matter, depending on what you're starting with. This site seemed to have some good reading:

http://www.phase-a-matic.com/StaticApplicationNotes.htm

It looks like you might expect to pay maybe $300 for an 8-12 horse-worthy static converter to run motors of 7 or 8 hp. The site lists some applications the static converters might not be appropriate for. A rotary converter looks more like $1,500 - $2,000.

How much was yours? Do you run all these off a single 30 amp 220 circuit? 50 amp? Multiple circuits?

Thanks,

Bob Davis

In a message dated 4/12/2009 11:39:41 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, gnewell at ameritech.net writes:

Bob, Daniel and list,

                I have one of these old machines and quite a few other 3 phase powered machines in my shop. I use a simple static phase converter which I had an electrician friend wire in for me. The power reduction that I experience is negligible at best. My planer is only an 18” model (Yates American) but looks very much like the picture that Daniel sent earlier. I also have an 8” Powermatic joiner, a 5 HP Delta Unisaw, and a 7HP Powermatic Shaper/Molder that all run on 3 Phase power. None of these show any appreciable power reduction, at least for the low volume that I use them. 

Greg Newell

Greg's Piano Forté

www.gregspianoforte.com

216-226-3791 (office)

216-470-8634 (mobile)

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of BobDavis88 at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:34 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] newman planer, powermatic bandsaw

In a message dated 4/9/2009 8:36:02 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, carltonpiano at sbcglobal.net writes:

hi list 

i'm looking at a newman s248 planer, $2600: "24x8 inch planer, 7 1/2 hp 240volt 3 phase motor, new powermatic knives, new gibs, runs great" reads the description. does anyone have experience with newmans? reliable, well-built?

also for a powermatic bandsaw, model# 141, $550: "14 inch, 115 volt, runs great" read the description.

are these big enough to do pinblocks and other rebuildin' stuff?

Daniel Carlton

=

Daniel (and others looking at old industrial machinery),

I don't think I've seen mention of one other caveat - three-phase power is not something most shops are wired for. There is a three-phase adapter, but it adds cost and bulk and reduces efficiency.

Bob Davis

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