Thread: Help with US tool

Did you mean a WorkSharp 3000? If so, there are a number of Youtube videos on using the sharpener.

A step down transformer to get it to run from 240 volts?

120W 240 - 115V Isolated Stepdown Transformer | AC-AC Transformers | Power Conversion & Transformation | Power Products Electrical | PRODUCTS | MF1080 | Jaycar Electronics

Just check the wattage to make sure it's right for your device.

I think you need something like this.
step down transformer voltage converter convert 240v down to 120v USA Devices to Run in Australia

Thanks guys, I'm going to look onto it today. A stepdown looks to be the way to go but it's the frequency that's apparently the issue

Hi Geoff, I meant the power issues with voltage and freq changes. Trying to work out Wether it's more economical to send it back or try and modify it

Originally Posted by blueink

Thanks guys, I'm going to look onto it today. A stepdown looks to be the way to go but it's the frequency that's apparently the issue

The frequency will mean the motor and wheel will run 20% slower and there is not much you can do about it short of using an EXPENSIVE single phase inverter after the step up transformer to recover the lost frequency.
Normally it should not make that much of a difference on such a unit.
Where speed is critical some machines sold into countries with 50Hz power may have different gears or pulley to recover the difference in speeds.

Are you sure that this gadget doesn't have an universal motor?

Originally Posted by justonething

Are you sure that this gadget doesn't have an universal motor?

The You tube vids of the workshop show a very quiet motor which is not likely for a universal motor.

The wheel RPMs for the machine on the US and AUS website list the same 580 RPM so either they just cut and paste ignoring the changes
OR
'The AUS is re-geared to achieve the 580RPM

Thanks for the advice everyone, but it looks like its going to have to go back to usa... went to Jaycar and they said that there was nothing I could do short of replacing the field coil which would be expensive. Cheaper at this stage to pray for a refund and get the aussie version Til then its the old bench grinder lol

given that the system is essentially just a powered scary sharp -- a 20% reduction in wheel speed may not make much difference, provided you can obtain a suitable step-down transformer.

Changing a gear wheel may also be an option -- from the US web site The WS3000 utilizes gear reduced wheel speed

I don't own one, nor have I looked inside one, but from the outside, the drive mechanism looks very like that used in a Tormek (or for that matter a record turntable) -- the main wheel is driven by friction from a smaller rubber covered wheel on the motor shaft, changing the drive speed might be really really easy


Just note, again from the US web site Using a 115V machine in a location with 230V power sources voids your warranty.

Originally Posted by blueink

Thanks for the advice everyone, but it looks like its going to have to go back to usa... went to Jaycar and they said that there was nothing I could do short of replacing the field coil which would be expensive. Cheaper at this stage to pray for a refund and get the aussie version Til then its the old bench grinder lol

I would get a second opinion on that, why did Mr Jaycar think a stepdown transformer wouldn't do the job? My Worksharp works perfectly at 50hz as should yours.

I agree with Chris. I have powered many a 110V appliance using a transformer in my time. The speed change is insignificant so the transformer will be perfectly fine. It uses a 120W (1/5 HP) induction motor so the transformer from Jaycar should be fine but you could go up a range just to be sure.

18 months ago I bought one of these for my Drill Doctor.... NEW 2000W 240V TO 110V Step Down Stepdown Transformer Voltage Converter 2 Plugs | eBay

Havent looked back. They are generic and cheap (so compare prices/postage), hummmmm a bit, but nothing annoying or loud. Its handled everything so far and I've used it weekly to keeps my bits minty sharp

So far, none of the magic blue smoke has escaped any machine.....

Originally Posted by Evanism

18 months ago I bought one of these for my Drill Doctor.... NEW 2000W 240V TO 110V Step Down Stepdown Transformer Voltage Converter 2 Plugs | eBay

67 is an odd number to have had for sale





62 sold so far equates to 93% of the stock being sold