Mill cooling fans inop.

[Janderso]

How important is it to cool the variable speed head/belt? I run this mill anywhere from two minutes to a half hour on average.

Both cooling fans are on the fritz. One turns if I give it a push. The other does not work at all.
They run on 220 according to the manual.
This is a Sharp TMV 185TM. I assume they are the original fans since the mid 70's.

 

[DavidR8]

They look like computer cooling fans. Would be easy to replace I bet. If you have 220v you could look for 120v fans and run them from one leg of the 220v and a neutral.
Or just swap them for something like this:

Amazon.ca

 

[Winegrower]

It looks like a half… addition, can’t imagine that’s a factory deal. There’s a fan on top of the motor, ought to be adequate. I say they are unnecessary. And that’s a firm opinion.

Edit: They are in the manual? Hard to imagine that’s a real engineering solution. Bridgeports don’t have a problem or need for that.

 

[Larry42]

Is the fan on the motor missing? If so just replace it (the fan.)

 

[Janderso]

It looks like a half… addition, can’t imagine that’s a factory deal. There’s a fan on top of the motor, ought to be adequate. I say they are unnecessary. And that’s a firm opinion.

Edit: They are in the manual? Hard to imagine that’s a real engineering solution. Bridgeports don’t have a problem or need for that.

Well now that is interesting.
The user manual has them featured with a wiring schematic for 220 or 440.
They are factory for sure. This is a 3 HP head.
I’m thinking if in a production environment the head would heat up, this feature would be a nice addition. One faces in and the other blows out.
On the other hand, if Bridgeport variable belt drive heads don’t have them, I would agree, I may be just fine without them.

There are 4” 220 volt computer fans available for $20.
It just bothers me, I’m a freak when it comes to my machine tools. I want them to operate as designed. Yeah, they are used and they are old but they’re mine.

 

[Janderso]

Is the fan on the motor missing? If so just replace it (the fan.)

No, nothing is missing.

 

[Janderso]

They look like computer cooling fans. Would be easy to replace I bet. If you have 220v you could look for 120v fans and run them from one leg of the 220v and a neutral.
Or just swap them for something like this:

Amazon.ca

Those look exactly like mine

 

[cathead]

I could be important if you are running a VFD at low speeds. I have no idea if you are doing that....

Also, it is possible to lube the fans if they are needing it.

 

[Janderso]

I just got a reply from Sharp Industries.
$179 for the set of cooling fans plus shipping.
I’m an idiot. These are bolt in ready replacements.
So why is my finger moving toward the order button? If I can retro $20 fans?
Decisions decisions.
I need to remember, I’m retired now. Fixed income and all………
I have a saying, if it ain’t stock, it ain’t sh#@$&#it!

 

[WobblyHand]

I just got a reply from Sharp Industries.
$179 for the set of cooling fans plus shipping.
I’m an idiot. These are bolt in ready replacements.
So why is my finger moving toward the order button? If I can retro $20 fans?
Decisions decisions.
I need to remember, I’m retired now. Fixed income and all………
I have a saying, if it ain’t stock, it ain’t sh#@$&#it!

You have machines! Buy the cheap fans, and make a bracket!