Single Phase bandsaw mill

[Squaredy]

1 hour ago, charlieb said:

I'd jump at this if I knew the right person.  (As most of the issues with the saw are either in the engine or the engine control).   Does anyone know anyone suitable in SE Scotland..? 

Or a slightly easier option would be to sell your existing mill and buy a new electric mill.  The timbery m100 mill is single phase I see, though this would be 120 volt presumably, and maybe difficult to get hold of in the uk.  But maybe one of the other makes is also available in single phase uk specification?

 

What capacity supply have you got available?

Edited March 24, 2023 by Squaredy

[GarethM]

The USA use a split phase system, 240 distribution and a pole transformer to two 120 circuits.

 

5hp is 3.7kw, so must be 240v.

3700w is 30A on 120v, 3700w on 240 is 15.5A

 

Just checked it's 240v single phase, (northernwoodsmen).

 

Depending on energy price at 38p, that's around £1.41 an hour

Edited March 24, 2023 by GarethM

[Squaredy]

6 minutes ago, GarethM said:

The USA use a split phase system, 240 distribution and a pole transformer to two 120 circuits.

 

5hp is 3.7kw, so must be 240v.

3700w is 30A on 120v, 3700w on 240 is 15.5A

Well in this case it should run fine in the uk…. If it is possible to get hold of one.

[GarethM]

Worse he can do is ask if they do a conversion kit.

 

Just make sure a decent spark uprates the breakers to type D and fits a 32A blue socket as the 16A will get toasty.

 

Extension cords should be 4mm.

[Squaredy]

30 minutes ago, GarethM said:

Depending on energy price at 38p, that's around £1.41 an hour

Well in reality probably a lot less - depending on the load.  A 1kw electric fire will cost £0.38 per hour, but the cost of running a 1kw motor will depend on the load. 

 

And of course, to mill a log you make a series of fairly brief cuts, and move the sawhead back and stack the timber with the blade stopped.  Hence an electric mill is way cheaper to run than a petrol one.

[charlieb]

On 24/03/2023 at 22:25, Squaredy said:

Or a slightly easier option would be to sell your existing mill and buy a new electric mill.  The timbery m100 mill is single phase I see, though this would be 120 volt presumably, and maybe difficult to get hold of in the uk.  But maybe one of the other makes is also available in single phase uk specification?

 

What capacity supply have you got available?

Yep.  This definitely feels like the easiest option - and was the original question. 

 

Timbery do one in the US but if the UK reseller (Riko) do it then they don't do a good job of advertising it.    Logosol also seem to sell one. 4.6kW or 8kW.   Does anyone have experience with them?   I got an alaskan mill from them years ago which was pretty fiddly but seemed well made. 

[charlieb]

On 24/03/2023 at 23:04, Squaredy said:

Well in reality probably a lot less - depending on the load.  A 1kw electric fire will cost £0.38 per hour, but the cost of running a 1kw motor will depend on the load. 

 

And of course, to mill a log you make a series of fairly brief cuts, and move the sawhead back and stack the timber with the blade stopped.  Hence an electric mill is way cheaper to run than a petrol one.

To be honest for the amount I use it the fuel use / power use is insignificant.    I want to go electric because it's so much nicer to work - no fumes, no coughing, much less noise.   

[charlieb]

Damn.  V quick reply from Logosol (Sweden) but even the 4.6kW saw needs three phase.   You'd think they would do a conversion - I can't believe I'm the only person with a desire to mill but no three-phase supply (and who hates four stroke engines)

[doobin]

2 minutes ago, charlieb said:

Damn.  V quick reply from Logosol (Sweden) but even the 4.6kW saw needs three phase.   You'd think they would do a conversion - I can't believe I'm the only person with a desire to mill but no three-phase supply (and who hates four stroke engines)

You've got to be realistic- you're a very limited market. Quite possible the only one. Find yourself a knowledgeable sparky and install an invertor, or even just get a nice silent 3 phase generator. I can recommend this-

 

BISON WHISPER 10KVA DIESEL GENERATOR - Warrior Welders

WWW.WARRIORWELDERS.COM

---

The Bison Mark II Generator is a very reliable air-cooled, single-cylinder, portable, open-framed diesel generator...

 

I have the single phase version and the power it puts out is incredible. Welds as good as the mains from my 250 amp single phase MIG. Phil Weeks knows his onions.

[GarethM]

Most of Europe has three phase as standard into most homes.

 

It's even more funnier trying to explain 110v tools to anyone from Europe, it's just not a thing over there.

 

That's the main reason why they aren't particularly common in 240v, get a generator and the world is your oyster machine wise.