Converting overhead belt driven machines to motor driven

[Millbo]

Has anyone here ever taken a once belt driven machine and converted it to run directly off of a AC motor?

I've been eyeballin' a K&T No. 1B on E-Pay ($1,500) that used to belong to an Amish shop and was obviously ran off of some common overhead shaft system.

Is it more trouble than it's worth? Would it require too much money for input speed reduction to keep to the rpm ranges of the machine right?

I have no clue what the input shaft speed is on this type of machine.

Any shared thoughts or comments on this would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

[Dave Smith]

Mike--you shouldn't have any problem running a motor and getting the right speed with the pulley sizes--I would think you could find a couple of double groove pulleys--smaller one for motor and larger one to replace the flat belt pulley on the machine---- and run a pair of v-belts.--you would just have to make a motor bracket and adjuster---it's been done many times very successfully------Dave

 

[GK1918]

Not at all, you just get a little creative with some scrap. Theres a lot of flat belting supplys & clipps what not. So you fab a motor mount
and the motor drive pulley can be made out of simple wood. My 1914 hacksaw has a wood pulley. My GK 1918 lathe was a line shaft
machine and I came up with 'this' if I can find a pic. No more than a 1hp free table saw motor; been running fine for 25yrs oh yea also
my big Avey drill press also has a wood drive pulley. ah I thought the motor would show up in the pic anyways its mounted on top.
as far as speeds that will come down the line get it going first then figure faster slower or whatever thats what I'd do....

 

[cjtoombs]

The real question is what can you get a a similar mill in equivalent condition for that you don't have to fabricate a drive for. It also depends on how much time you want to put towards setting it up. Even a seemingly simple job will take more of your time than you probably think. I had to make some major changes to the drive on a shaper of mine, because the previous conversion from overhead flat belt drive ran the machine too fast. It has taken some time to do this. That being said, if you think the price is right and want to tackle the conversion, it looks like this input was at a single speed, which means that change speeds were done inside the machine, probably through a gear train. This makes this conversion much easier, although you may have to use a countershaft to reduce the motor speed (typical overhead shafting turned ~200 RPM) enough to be useful. If the speed range isn't enough for you that way, you could always use either a variable speed pulley on the countershaft or a VFD on the motor. I think the price is a bit high for one you will have to fab a drive for, but that's just me. Good luck.

 

[Phils69]

I have to agree that's it's priced too high the way it sets. I'm helping a friend put a motor on a similar year K&T right now, His is a vertical #2 size. I believe he paid like $300 for the mill last year. I have picked up a couple Cincy horizontals for the past year and they were real reasonable also. Have patience and something will pop up. I used to work in a machine shop not too far away from Princton by the way. Small world...

 

[1935ron]

Mike I have converted 2 my big lathe an old Willard and my 4 spindle Avery which the motor is now AC but the 4 spindles are still flat belt and i love how it drills..... no big deal at all ... Mill looks cool but agree might be pricey

 

[Millbo]

Dave, thanks for the insight.

GK1918' that's a beautiful lathe. How old is it?

Thanks everyone for your input. I agree the price is too much for what it is but hey, everything on E-Pay is made of gold anymore.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for something else along that size range. I used to run a K&T in my old shop and loved that little mill. I want to say it was a model 2H if that sounds right to those who really know those mills. It didn't have the swivel under the table like the one I posted.

Thanks again for all your insight.

Mike