Thread: Bandsaw recommendations

Originally Posted by BobL

Did you check the current when it was under high load ie actually planing some serious hardwood?

The 8 amp's is when under load milling Ironbark 95mm x 95mm balustrade posts, it's the spiral head cutter block version (2hp motor), so small chips and only light passes at a time, I'm only looking to straighten the posts before being dimensioned through the 3 phase thicknesser, which I built a Rotary Phase Converter for using an old Welder as a step up transformer, because I only have 240v single phase. I'm not sure why it came with a 15 amp plug on a 2hp motor when I have a 3hp dust extractor with a 10 amp plug.

Originally Posted by Hangfire

not sure - how much would a 15amp circuit cost to have installed?

probably leaning towards the timbecon 14 plus at the moment, but will be waiting a while so if something comes up....

It would depend on how far you would need to run the cable from your consumer board to where you want your outlet to be, the 15 amp breaker would be less than $20, then you have the cost of the cable (2.5mm twin & earth), conduit, clips and a socket. You would need a sparky to do the job, so add a couple of hours labour at say $50 per hour.

Originally Posted by Camelot

so add a couple of hours labour at say $50 per hour.

Not sure where you can find electricians at this rate. Down here you would have to at least double that and add a call out fee.

I had a sparky extend my current circuit to add more plugs in the garage... it was hundreds.

Originally Posted by Camelot

The 8 amp's is when under load milling Ironbark 95mm x 95mm balustrade posts, it's the spiral head cutter block version (2hp motor), so small chips and only light passes at a time, I'm only looking to straighten the posts before being dimensioned through the 3 phase thicknesser, which I built a Rotary Phase Converter for using an old Welder as a step up transformer, because I only have 240v single phase. I'm not sure why it came with a 15 amp plug on a 2hp motor when I have a 3hp dust extractor with a 10 amp plug.

That sounds about right I get about 7A when facing 100mm wide spotted gum on my 2HP planer. But the manufacturers have to allow for the fact that some customers try thick passes at full width and that's when it cn really load up.

Fortunately most folks will use planers to put a square edge boards so they are used mostly for light work.

I have a small dyno that enables me to test the HP ratings of motors and my experience is that HP ratings on electric motors are fairly nominal. eg I can make the 3HP motor on my TS draw ~12A on a deep cut in hard wood and it will draw up to 17A before the motors thermal fuse kicks in.

In contrast a 3HP DC with a 10A plug will not usually go above 9.5A because it has a fixed load ie a fixed impeller size moving a maximum amount of air.
A 3HP DC with a 10A plug is a sign of a deliberately choked DC.
By the time a 3HP is attached to ducting, machines, filters (or a cyclone) and moving sawdust, the current draw is often be below 9A.
On the opposite side, if the impeller is large enough and run without any filters and the front of the impeller fully open - then a 3HP may draw a lot more than 10A.

Interesting comparison of straight versus helix cutter head power draw in this vid
The video I wish I watched before buying a Shelix - YouTube

Originally Posted by BobL

That sounds about right I get about 7A when facing 100mm wide spotted gum on my 2HP planer. But the manufacturers have to allow for the fact that some customers try thick passes at full width and that's when it cn really load up.

Fortunately most folks will use planers to put a square edge boards so they are used mostly for light work.

I have a small dyno that enables me to test the HP ratings of motors and my experience is that HP ratings on electric motors are fairly nominal. eg I can make the 3HP motor on my TS draw ~12A on a deep cut in hard wood and it will draw up to 17A before the motors thermal fuse kicks in.

In contrast a 3HP DC with a 10A plug will not usually go above 9.5A because it has a fixed load ie a fixed impeller size moving a maximum amount of air.
A 3HP DC with a 10A plug is a sign of a deliberately choked DC.
By the time a 3HP is attached to ducting, machines, filters (or a cyclone) and moving sawdust, the current draw is often be below 9A.
On the opposite side, if the impeller is large enough and run without any filters and the front of the impeller fully open - then a 3HP may draw a lot more than 10A.

Interesting comparison of straight versus helix cutter head power draw in this vid
The video I wish I watched before buying a Shelix - YouTube

Yes with the helix the motor is continually under load because there is always a cutter in contact with the timber unlike a traditional knife block

Originally Posted by Hangfire

I had a sparky extend my current circuit to add more plugs in the garage... it was hundreds.

Did he put a secondary breaker board in your garage and run socket outlets from that, if so then providing the breaker board does have some free slots a 15 amp would not be too expensive. I had my own construction company for many years so I had to learn M&E to make sure my subcontractors were not ripping me off, so I have no problem understanding domestic electric's and plumbing, which is a great advantage when dealing with these trades.

Think he just added more plugs to the circuit which was already in the garage. Had used him many times previously and was pretty unhappy with the bill. Won't be using him again.

Originally Posted by Hangfire

Think he just added more plugs to the circuit which was already in the garage. Had used him many times previously and was pretty unhappy with the bill. Won't be using him again.

WOW, and that cost you hundreds, I was thinking I bought a Bandsaw in VIC back in 2019, but have never been able to collect it, its probably no good for you because it's 3 phase and your workshop is in your garage and this is a big saw.

these older units do seem to keep popping up
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/pLoAA...DY/s-l800.webp

24 inch - very yellow!

will enquire about details, but likely to buy new if i cant house something like this....

Originally Posted by Hangfire

these older units do seem to keep popping up
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/pLoAA...DY/s-l800.webp

24 inch - very yellow!

will enquire about details, but likely to buy new if i cant house something like this....

That's not a bad price

Do you know what it is????

Originally Posted by Hangfire

Do you know what it is????

In the Gumtree advert pic's it says Carba-Tec

couldnt see the model number...

and dont recall carby seling in yellow.

a 24 inch saw is probably 15amp right?
it does say single phase