Bench grinder electrical specs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 09:33:07 pm
content: Hi, the Palmgren bench grinderhttps://www.palmgren.com/product/348/Bench-Grindersis rated 115V/230V. The amps it draws for 115V is 3.5 Amps. For 230V it draws 1.75 Amps. So this bench grinder is a 402.5 Watt grinder.My question is will this bench grinder get hot quicker and much more when running at 115V because of the higher amps it draws?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 09:47:09 pm
content: It draws 402.5VA, the wattage depends on the power factor and may be around half that.It will get slightly hotter on 120V due to greater I^2R losses, but it should not make a huge difference.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 09:48:36 pm
content: First, it's NOT 1 402.5 W grinder. That's theapparentpower. You need to remember power factor.But it'll probably run hot whatever you do. Cheap Chinese grinders (and other tools) are skimped on copper and iron and run to the limit.Series resistance is not a big issue, so I wouldn't expect a big difference.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 09:54:33 pm
content: That's an ordinary "off-hand" grinder. You can roughly shape cutters for single point cutters (e.g., lathe work) and even dills, but it is not particularly accurate. As the adage says, a drill "follows it point." If you want to sharpen drills, then to drill accurately, you need an accurate point. That is only one example.What do you want the grinder to do?Attached is what I use for more accurate grinding. One of the wheels is diamond impregnated for hard stuff, like carbide. For sharpening drills, I use something else to ensure both cutting lips are equal with the same relief. Now, I have seen expert machinists who can off-hand grind a drill fairly accurately, but I am not one of them.The second attachment is an SRD grinder that I use for drills. Milling bits need something else. There are several types of grinders for drills, I liked the SRD as it is easy to change to tip's included angle.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 10:01:24 pm
content: I am asking because i have a chinese 6" bench grinder. It's rated 120 volts 150 watts. After 5 minutes of continuous use it gets very hot. Some reviewers on youtube with that same build grinder, but theirs is a 230 volts 150 watt version, don't have that problem. So what i think is that the chinese manufacturers reduce the copper winding turns to meet the 120 volt requirement but they don't increase the diameter of the wire to acommodate the higher current. If so can i rewind the motor?

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 10:15:07 pm
content: Why do you care how hot the motor gets? Some motors are designed to run at 65°C continuous. I was surprised the first time I came across one in 1975 running a vacuum roughing pump.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 10:25:13 pm
content: Can you tell which part gets hot first? I'm assuming its the motor area and not the bearings.and measure the actual temperature after 5mins as jpanhalt says.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 10:53:11 pm
content: The area that is getting hot is the iron core. Temperature rises to 122 degrees celcius. I am afraid the isolation of the windings will burn if i let it run longer. And this is with no load. How did they design a motor that is getting hotter with no load on it

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 11:18:54 pm
content: That is hotter than I'd like to see, the copper, if it even is, it may be aluminum, is probably even hotter than that. It's entirely possible the grinder is only intended for intermittent use. I typically run mine for maybe 30 seconds to a minute at a time.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 11:34:10 pm
content: Thanks James_s. I assume you have a chinese bench grinder too. I'm looking for a used washing machine motor to make a bench grinder which i can run longer. Although washing machine motors get hot too, they can run longer

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 11:44:51 pm
content: I do, although mine is pushing on 20 years old so it may be considerably different than what you have. Mine doesn't get noticeably hot but I've never tried running it for more than maybe 2 minutes.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2022, 11:49:10 pm
content: Thanks James_s. I will try to run it for not longer than two minutes. If it holds up 2 years it will be fine. In the meantime i'm going to build myself a sturdy bench grinder

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 12:48:16 am
content: Electric motors heat up from doing work. Without a load a decent quality motor run on the proper voltage should run indefinitely without over heating. If you want/need a grinder to do a job you need to buy a quality tool specked for that job. You still have not said what you are doing with it. Sharpening 1/4” drills vs a large axe blade are very different. Scrounging unknown motors is a recipe for a lot of wasted time. Washing machines have changed a lot in the last 40 years

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 02:28:35 am
content: Quotecould it be down to frequency? Generally places with 110v are 60Hz whilst 230 land is mostly 50Hz and running a 50Hz motor at 60Hz tends to make things a bit warmer

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 03:16:19 am
content: Quote from: themadhippy on August 27, 2022, 02:28:35 amIt's the other way around, running a 60Hz motor on 50Hz can result in overheating, a 50Hz motor will be fine on 60Hz though. The lower the frequency, the more iron you need.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 09:42:49 am
content: Old printer, I'll be using the grinder for sharpening drills and chisels. Also once in a while for sharpening large axe blades and for rounding metal. If i'm busy for an hour or two, i don't want to waste time in between turning the machine off to let it cool down. I won't be busy with the machine everyday, but when i'm busy the machine has to run for at least one hour continuously. So which motor can i use to make a grinder? Can i use a washing machine motor?

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 10:25:32 am
content: I would not use a washing machine motor as direct drive. First, check the RPM. Second, in a grinder, the shaft bearings are important and take considerable load. I doubt a washing machine motor meets either need. A high speed grinder needs to run smoothly, not like the old, hand driven stones used to sharpen axes many years ago.I would get a continuous duty motor and a separate belt driven arbor like the attachment. A washing machine motor, if continuous duty, may actually work to drive that belt assuming you can attach a pulley to its shaft.

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 10:29:29 am
content: Dual Voltage electric motors have two coils or sets of coils. Each coil is rated for 115 VAC and the SMALLER of the two current ratings on the name plate. Yes, I said the SMALLER current.When you connect it for 230 VAC, the two coils (or sets of coils) are in series so each coil sees 115 VAC and that smaller current (1.75 A) because the same current flows in both of the series connected elements. And the (apparent) power is the product of 230 V x 1.75 A = 402.5 W, as previously stated.When you connect it for 115 VAC operation the two coils (or sets of coils) are connected in parallel. They both see 115 VAC again and each coil once again has the smaller amount of current (1.75 A) flowing in it. But, since they are in parallel, the overall motor draws the sum of the two currents or twice the smallest current on the name plate. I = 2 x 1.75 A = 3.5 A. And the power now is 115 V x 3.5 A = 402.5 W.This should be no surprise as each coil sees the exact same Voltage and passes the exact same current in both wiring configurations. So the total power, being the sum of the power in all the coils, is exactly the same.Now, since the current flowing in each coil is exactly the same and the the resistance (impedance) of each coil is exactly the same, the heat generated will also be exactly the same. This is given by the power loss in a resistance which is I^2 x R. This lost power is in the form of heat.As for the name brand motor vs a cheap Chinese one I would expect the name brand to run cooler. This is probably due to the Chinese ones cutting corners with things like smaller wire gauge which would have more resistance.There is a practical advantage in using the higher Voltage configuration. Since the lower Voltage connection has a higher current draw, the wire/cable that runs between the pole transformer and the motor would either need to be a heavier gauge or it will dissipate more energy as heat. This is given by the same power loss (as heat) equation as I show above P = I^2 x R. So with the higher Voltage connection you either get a greater amount of power delivered to the motor or you pay less for the copper in the wire/cable.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 11:29:09 am
content: Quote from: james_s on August 27, 2022, 03:16:19 amNot necessarily. That's true in this case, but if it's driving a fan, it will run faster and draw more power because it's a cube law.Quote from: robsims on August 26, 2022, 10:53:11 pmBuy a more expensive grinder, with a bigger motor.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 03:16:22 pm
content: Quote from: Zero999 on August 27, 2022, 11:29:09 amAbsolutely! There are a lot of good quality grinders around.Of the grinders that showed up on a quick Amazon search, I would consider the Jet or the DeWalt. Porter Cable or Delta are also good quality. None of the other for me...Be careful where you source your grinding wheels. There was an incident a long time back where a fellow bought a wheel at a flea market and it exploded when he started the grinder, killing him. The seller had bought the wheel new but dropped it causing a crack. Then, rather than trash it, he sold it. I don't remember the exact charges but negligent homicide comes to mind.I never like starting a bench grinder.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 05:50:39 pm
content: When fitting a new wheel, you should always thread a support through the centre hole (like an upturned screwdriver) and then tap the side of the rim with something non-metalic. It should audibly ring - if it doesn't then it's cracked! This doesn't work when the wheel is mounted of course because it is damped by the mounting flanges and card washers.Never try to DIY a bench grinder, it needs the proper (probably sacrificial - I've never had one shatter) wheel guards.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2022, 11:43:12 pm
content: I totally agree with EPAIII. You got it right. For 120 volts with the same wattage the current will be bigger and so the the diameter of the windings must be bigger too. What i think is that the Chinese use the same gauge wire (same diameter wire) to wire the 230 volt and the 120 volt version of the grinder. No doubt about that. I did a test on the motor core. I connected my DC bench powersupply to the main winding. At 30 volts DC the current flowing through the main winding was 1.7 amps. Withing 3 minutes the core was so hot i could not leave my hands on it for 2 seconds. Question is can i rewind this chinese grinder i have with a heavier gauge wire?.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 04:23:40 am
content: Quote from: robsims on August 27, 2022, 11:43:12 pmBut if you have two sets of windings for dual voltage, they get wired in parallel for the lower voltage and series for the higher voltage. When they are in parallel, the current carrying capability is double that of one winding.Putting DC though ANY winding will make it get hot, in fact that technique is sometimes used for curing varnish in motor stators and transformers. With DC the current is limited only by the resistance of the wire. With AC inductive reactance comes into play and the impedance is much higher.There is probably not space for heavier wire but you can look. It's also possible you have a shorted turn, that can result in overheating. You can try rewinding but the problem may be too little iron in the core, or some other issue.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 10:27:57 am
content: Yes you're right james_s. No space for heavy wire and it has a crappy small core. Those are the problems. The grinder is useless for me. I'm a mechanical engineer, so i'm going to make one myself from an old pump or washing machine motor. Only thing i need for the grinder to do is to run for an hour continuously because i don't want to interrupt my work to let it cool down. I will trash that Chinese garbage, because it is useless for me or i'll let it run untill it burns. Yes, i got what i paid for. Wasted $39 on that crappy Chinese shit. I'm going to use the wheel guards on my self made grinder. Question: which motors are best to use? In my country the voltage is 120 and the motor has to run for an hour continuously. I'm going to use 6" wheels

author: mag_therm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 11:02:08 am
content: Palmgren has been selling hobby grade machine shop tools for about 20 years at least I think.The surface temperature of the motor housing depends on the insulation temperature class. It is probably class B limit 130 C or class F limit 155 C because class H uses more costly insulation like nomex.Palmgren site says it is capacitor run motor. The current draw on these small motors might not vary much from no load to full load.The surface temperature of a non fan cooled class B motor might reach 100 C at 20 C Ambient. However there are rules for human contact, I am not what or whether that applies to hobby machine tools.If you have worked in a place with lots of industrial squirrel cage motors eg paper mill, steel plant etc you will become accustomed to non- fan motors with case temp around 100C, but often they are TEFC with fins, so run a bit cooler on the surface.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 11:10:48 am
content: Which motors can i use to make a bench grinder?

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 11:19:05 am
content: Quote from: robsims on August 28, 2022, 11:10:48 amAlready asked and answered.Either buy a decent bench grinder which will typically have wheels on each end or buy an arbor for grinding wheels and power it with a separate motor. In your case, you apparently need a motor rated for continuous duty.

author: mag_therm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 11:43:59 am
content: I just checked the 20 year old Delta Shopmaster bench grinder here.It looks like this one currently on Delta sitehttps://deltamachinery.com/products/grinding-sharpening/23-196#specs.Delta home shop machine tools ( I have 3, grinder table saw and drill press ) are a bit above Palmgren in price and quality I think.I have a Palmgren XY table that is basic, robust and accurate enough.The Delta grinder nameplate says 2000 ~3450 RPM, no current or power rating stated, but Class A temp class is stated.So this one will run at a lot lower surface temp as class A is the lowest temp class (cheapest, lowest quality paper insulation etc.).Class A might have been used back then because the temperature might have needed to be low anyway due to human contact rules in USA ( I don't know for sure).After 10 minute at full speed check today, it is barely above ambient.Sometimes I run this for 10 minutes or more if doing a lathe tool from blank.If your new grinder is not meeting expectation, can you ask for refund?

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 12:13:25 pm
content: Many thanks guys

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 07:44:37 pm
content: The data also give a direct power rating of 1/3 HP which is around 250 W. This is plenty of power for a bench grinder for most used. Only when sharpening heavy tools (e.g. ax) one may want more power. Even than some 200 W to get converted into heat going mainly to the too is a lot and will heat up the tool quite a bit.Most of the time the grinder will run essentially idele and thus take little power and thus usually does not get warm.The 120/230 V are likely different versions - switchable voltage is very rare with such tools. For the motor there is essentially no difference, as the high voltage need twice the windings, but half the current. If at all for small sizes the higher voltage can be a bit more tricky as very thin wire has a larger proportion of isulation. The 1/3 HP size is not that small.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 10:12:05 pm
content: I rarely disagree with you, but you need higher wattage when you are using a coarser wheel and rough contouring cutters. Since the OP indicated he wanted to round off steel, it is possible he may need more power. For simple deburring and knocking off corners, such a low HP grinder may suffice. But starting with a 3/8" square HSS cutter for a profile, you may need more powerTake this example:https://www.zoro.com/dayton-bench-grinder-12-in-max-wheel-dia-1-14-in-max-wheel-thickness-3660-grinding-wheel-grit-1fyx2/i/G3077496/That's 240V @ 10A.For grinding my TIG electrodes and general work in my barn, my grinder is 1/2 HP.

author: mag_therm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 11:53:03 pm
content: So we know what we are looking at, here is photo of innards of a well used but servicable motor from Reynosa Mexico.https://app.box.com/s/5j3m1ic3rmq81lldf5cej74edv6a3c6i230 V fractional HP Capacitor Run Class B ( 130 C Max insulation) , they are made by the millions for the USA, just south of the border, in all shapes and ratings and shafts.Mostly automated manufacturing, I had a bit to do one time with the rotor side automated production machines in these plants, although I was on transformer /inductor design in my early days.The vendors of appliances and air-con and home shop machines don't make their own motors obviously.Automated production machines for these motors is usually handled world wide by tier 2 vendors locally.I suppose there is a very small probability of a wrong or faulty motor of exactly same mounting footprint getting into robsims grinder.And again, these small motors are typically Class B or H, and impedance is such that the current (hence temperature) does not vary much from locked rotor to no load.Correct me if I am wrong on this, as I see posts to the contrary....

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2022, 12:43:42 am
content: Delta still has a professional line but they also sell junk lines. Jet makes some pretty good stuff as well, but you have to pick and choose. Porter Cable did like Craftsman and sold out to big box stores.. it’s hard to buy by name alone anymore. A decent small tool sharpening grinder should run $150-200. A good quality Jet will run you close to $500 and up. Buy from a company that sells to guys who make a living with their tools if you want top drawer. Even a good midsize grinder will get hot if you lean into 1/4” thick steel for a while.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2022, 01:33:21 am
content: Thanks old printer. I'm going to save some more to buy a Jethttps://www.amazon.com/577101-6-Inch-Industrial-Bench-Grinder/dp/B00004T9KV?th=1I think these are the better ones to have. It looks sturdy and i think you don't have to feel all the time if it's getting hotter than an oven and be afraid it will burn up.

author: mag_therm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2022, 02:25:07 am
content: Delta Shopmaster 6 inch ( year ~ 2002 model) : Lock rotor test, set at full speed Test Date : 22 08 28Ambient = 26 C in shop , Extech temperature probe at centre top of motor housingNote: this is not the critical winding insulation temperature which will be higher.{Time minute} , [Rise Celsius]{ 0 } , [ 0 ]{ 5 } , [ 44 approx ]{ 6 } , Lock off, motor at no load full speed{ 10 } , [ 38 approx] , motor off{ 50 } , [ 11 ]

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2022, 09:00:56 am
content: Quote from: robsims on August 29, 2022, 01:33:21 amThat looks about right. Note it is 1/2 HP, and the end bells/guards are cast as are the tool rests (at least they look to be cast). I don't consider Jet industrial quality, but it is a step or two up from what you have. 1/2" shafts are a little small for industrial, but OK. You will probably want a pedestal stand. That stand shown on the listing seems overpriced. If you have a welder, it is easy to make a stand from some plate and pipe. FYI: My drill press circa 1973 is a Jet and at that time was made in Japan. It's a beast and continues to serve me well.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2022, 10:20:33 am
content: Delta Shopmaster 6 inch?? The base of the machine looks so Chinese. They look like the junk bases of chinese bench grindershttps://www.ebay.com/itm/334520823786?hash=item4de2feafea:g:hesAAOSw7J5i6V8d&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA0KLBCyTUWE%2FglSfIjj1wEZWV2sEMZsAifrQTXbAYLKhSN2YOECZzcsiKWFQ6gQizmKoSHiLnB9Y9Uth3UGD56ODTnWPgOlcIj2aQ5NXQRVlq1u5E9Un75fm8zRoVBQ243Pv%2FTAQWAY1lFTOhcG17prwAZkaefpE1qpaGfBzYDZDI2e%2BN6s94aHfVprgp%2BNdKLWcPQQwh7h3Etolttb3kaYgcczdToAS%2BHTDJBezWy7FRZdlWB5GdidnXA2hkQgQIlvnJHTLQgImiqZZuYsGAikg%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM1JXKkd1ghttps://www.ebay.com/itm/144613970844?hash=item21abaa139c:g:z78AAOSwJ9Bg38x7&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwNafkx2HpmUG1RRLrbgHhbFHO%2B%2FNXt%2B6x4Aq4TfaxXq4Uv4iDc2uC1D2fwKaYyrkP%2BMuvFyfxZXbFEHYHPwAFhimejTObqjecfa4yty4NtChkPFlHhuXELDQ31S9YMCo2hGSeZwe3LpTVUHi9SUpDeqFMaJoJsFlb0Eh74uxLn%2F5QwhSr1UdMR6jSG87nGCcaVmp%2Ftken3AzMKvkXfZe8snuZdluxRLYJkXIMGlM9T%2Fpjl5KSTyluOCzT0nG4x%2B54Q%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4zT3ZHdYA