Elec Motor spinning

Why bother with a second motor? Use an intermediate step pully and gear the motor that is there down. Two benefits: 1) Cheaper, 2) Increased torque for cutting tougher materials.

Or put on a 3 phase motor and a VFD.

Gunner

The two highest achievements of the human mind are the twin concepts of "loyalty" and "duty." Whenever these twin concepts fall into disrepute -- get out of there fast! You may possibly save yourself, but it is too late to save that society. It is doomed. " Lazarus Long

The slow speed motor would bne badly overrevved when using the high speed motor. You'd have to apply a one-way clutch to that motor to keep it from being a grenade under there.

-- Why do penguins walk so far to get to their nesting grounds?

It will work fine as long as you don't overspeed the either motor more than

2X it's rated speed when the other is running. This precaution is to prevent possible rotor damage. Spinning a unpowered motor has no effect other than some additional bearing wear which should not be an issue in your case.

Randy

Now that it's been pointed out I would be spinning one motor REALLY fast. Thought about the VFD but would need to run it around 2-4 Hz to get things slow enough. Found a parts diagram for the Delta metal/wood saw and they just use two step pulleys with huge changes in diameters so I might see if those could be retrofit to my saw.

Thanks all. Steve.

Don't know what Delta saw that is, but I've got a 14" Delta wood/metal saw. It has a gearbox as well.

4-step pulleys on the motor and on the gearbox input shaft allow any of four geared speeds for cutting steel, brass, etc. For wood (or aluminum), a large pulley on the wheel shaft is driven by one of the steps on the motor pulley.

To switch between wood and metal you change to a different belt and then throw the gearbox engagement lever.

To get steel cutting speeds with pulleys, you'd probably need a jackshaft to step it down twice. Plus, you need a lot of torque - which might cause a belt to slip.

John Martin