Starite 352S Bandsaw

[paulkane1]

I have a chance of buying a Starite 352S Bandsaw ,3 Phase.First of all what is the general consensus of the viewers of this site,about the quality or shortcomings of this bandsaw?What areas of the Bandsaw ,should I checkout ? and,what should I lookout for?.My,other issue is that I have only Single Phase Electric,in my Workshop,the bandsaw,is 415 Volts, 50 Hz,5.5 Amps,Could someone kindly advise me ,what I need to run this bandsaw ,on my Single Phase System,and,where is the best place too buy ,what I need to convert my electrics to run this bandsaw.I have my own Consumer Unit in my Workshop,and I only intend to run 1 3 Phase Machine,at any time.Last issue is costs,the owner of the Bandsaw is looking £400,I don't know how much it will cost ,to convert it to 3 a Phase , ( if it costs a few hundred pound to convert to 3 Phase,and altogether it's costing £650-£750 ,for this Bandsaw) ,would I just be better buying a Single a Phase at £600-700, and,what kind of machine would I get for that money.

Yours Kindly Paul

 

[kinsella]

Paul
I'm due to upload a tread on my experience of converting a Startrite 3 phase table saw using single phase. Several options to you.
1. Converter. it converts single phase to 3 phase at 415v. Search ebay, MachineMart etc. one brand is Transwave. I can't see you doing it for anything less than £200 and that assume you get a second hand one on ebay. the prices i've seen are £300+ up to £600
2. Change the motor to single phase, you might pick one up cheap on ebay, but you will still need new switches etc as everything on the exising machine will be rated 415v, as a guess you aint going to get much change out of £200-300
3. Inverter. converts single phase to 3 phase low voltage if you only have single phase, you'd still need other bits to convert if the motor is only high voltage. One brand is Inverteck. Mine cost me £250.

You will need to work out if the motor is dual voltage. if you look at the motor tag, you may see 220v on top of the 415v. This will indicate that its dual voltage. if you only see the 415, odd are its only high voltage, and your options are then limited to 1 or 2 above.

Startrite is a good established brand. Not seen the bandsaw, but I have the table saw and a mercury II drill press. Very sturdy and i'd opt for these any day over the new brands going around. They were made to last.

 

[kinsella]

A handy document on workshop motors can be found here, which explains the various motors in use. "Use of Induction Motors In The Home Workshop" by R C Minchin
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bob.minchi ... Issue3.pdf