Adding a Variable-Frequency Drive to a Three-Phase Drill Press

Some friends gifted me a 1956 Delta drill press. One problem: It runs on three-phase power, which I don't have at home. Thus started a three-day adventure in figuring out how to use a variable-frequency drive to convert single-phase power to three-phase.

[@stevem268]

nice drill press, mine is a 1940's beaver and 1930's walker turner! i'm adding a vfd to my 1940's wood lathe so this is a great video for me

[@0rnery]

To be honest, I tuned in to see how much of a struggle it is to program an off brand, cheap Chinese VFD. I guess you did answer that question. But, I was pleasantly surprised at seeing a gal so experienced at electrical work, not to mention machining. You're a rare and wonderful breed, so of course I'm subscribing. Thanks for posting this, and keep up the good work!

[@billwebster759]

I have the same Delta 17" drill press with a VFD. I put a 2 hp motor on it and overspeed it up to 90 hz for more speed range per pulley step. I rarely have to change the belt to a different step. It's a well-design quality drill press and joy to use. I creeps me out to see loose long hair around a drill press. A scalping takes milliseconds.

[@jyvben1520]

yup, safety first, loose hair not good, and/or add a cover over that belt contraption, Adam Savage's finger is still recovering from wiping some piece of machinery with a cloth.

[@bradleyajohns2796]

That's cold! Making your old drill press do the work getting yr new one in service!

[@fotopdo]

Great vid! I did not realize that VFD’s were *relatively* inexpensive, good to know. Nice build on the new power connection. Also, very amused by the Miller high life/ box of donuts combo 👍

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Thank you! Yeah, VFDs certainly aren't the cheapest thing in the world, but they are pretty cheap for the functionality they provide. Now that I have a little experience with them, i feel more confident about picking up the three-phase lathe some friends are giving me. High life and donuts: the best tinkerer fuel

[@petr_kout]

Love your videos! Yes please tie your hair back when you work with spinning shafts. When I was in college a girl tragically died in a workshop because her hair got caught in a lathe.

[@markrichardson239]

Now pitch the light in favor of some blinding bright LED's I just got to the the setting on my seat and guide machine, 1 HP Gear head and have no idea if I should favor torque or not, low RPM is like 60, so torque may not be a problem. I also added a hard depth stop and a battery powered LCD scale so I can see my depths to a thousandth. My shop is all 3 phase, so that conversion was not necessary. I even have a 3 phase vacuum cleaner. My VFD is Automation Direct. Thanks for posting!!! Mark

[@neatpleats11]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@lazee60]

wow! perfect in always. thanks for your post.

[@HackaweekTV]

Hell yeah! Nicely done comrade!!

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Thank you, Dean! And thanks for the shout out on your cyborg cam video.

[@DaleDirt]

@Donovan Jeremias Was it good or was it bad .... Sometimes , I don't know if I want to know ...

[@bigern234554]

Building things with you must be so much fun.Got to find a girl in Maine like you.Your awesome.

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Well, LA is a long ways from Maine, but if you're ever out here, you're definitely invited to the local hacker/maker meetup I go to. We build a lot of fun things together.

[@bigern234554]

That would be so awesome thank you.Have to drag me out drooling from the meet yes i go to recycling yards to .thanks again have a wonderful day.Check out my channel if you get time ERNIE T

[@dinalab]

great work!

[@upsidedown1972]

Love the Miller high life. I just got my chinesium vfd for my 1906 jointer. I am gonna die trying to program it.

[@jimmynoname336]

Love the drill press ! Old tools are the best. I like how you set it up nice job coming up with a way to make the drill press more functional. I'm installing a vfd on a 2x72 belt grinder so I just stopped by your channel so thank you I will see your other projects

[@TechTins_Projects]

The solution for low spindle speed using the belt pulleys to allow high motor speed, is the best way around the low speed, low torque issue. This is caused by the way these sensorless vfd units work. They use the back emf from the stator windings to determine the position of the motor's rota. That means the old way using hall sensors and optical sensors are not needed. But at low speeds hall sensors are ideal. Because low speeds do not give enough back emf for the vfd to know what angle the rota is at. So these will always perform badly at low speeds (poor torque). But using the belts in the way you have done is the solution. I have just done this myself and its nice to see others having figured it out as well.

[@woodywoods5373]

I really like your vid the sandwich looks good too .

[@Dvalle53]

Good job!

[@oppanheimer]

Please wear a hair net or something near a turning spindle/pulley assembly.

[@anthonysimmons1673]

I'm impressed!!!

[@ctbully]

I liked it when you drilled the cheese LOL !

[@FAELNYC]

Emily, nice video, very impress, I am trying to do something like that for a sliding table saw 3hp 220 to 1phase 220. Also , be careful with the loose hair please and that machine running..!!!

[@DillonNichols]

Every chef should have a VFD-controlled drill in their kitchen! I think if you wire the lamp to the output of the main power switch, you can save yourself a button press.

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

I considered doing that, but I decided I wanted to be able to turn the light on without turning the VFD on. I've found that I sometimes use the work light on my band saw as a light source for other things, and I figured I might want to do the same with my drill press. For example, maybe I just want to work on the drill press's table, but I'm not going to be drilling.

[@jamesfenton7338]

Ha, a three day oddity, something like a three hour tour. I have an electric model airplane with a tinny driver for the brushless motor with a huge instruction sheet like you just opened in the video. Feel good about this because it took me more than three days to figure it out, and I am supposed to understand shit like this. Programming the controller was insane, I will probably go back to alcohol motors just because they are easier to operate. When the instruction sheet is 100 times as large as the unit being programmed, I just mix me a drink and maybe smoke a few before taking the task on. Keep in mind, I repair modern vehicles as a hobby, along with the computer systems, so, I would like to think I know what is going on. However, we learn something new every day, or, we croak and someone else gets our stuff.

[@NiHaoMike64]

The ending with drilling the cheese looks like how AvE would do it. :)

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Haha. Yeah, he probably would, wouldn't he?

[@dennisjiu1771]

Nice video shooting . Be impressive by the technical explaining processes with some life elements, like a dog, opening a garage door etc. Just like a documentary movie.

[@christophersimpson7052]

Nice video thank you.

[@nicolasbacaloni8385]

I know you already have that VFD, but for your next project try to find a Siemens Micromaster , those are by FAR the most simple programming VFD's on the market and you can adjust the amount of low speed torque as you need. the Gruyere cheese conversion..... crazy. Good video, Regards

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Thank you, Nicolas! Those look very interesting. I'll spend some time reading about them.

[@heavymetalmadman3533]

cool vid

[@bubba99009]

OK I didn't even see the cheese thing coming - that is hilarious.

[@michaeld9682]

You are funny! Thanks for the video

[@KeritechElectronics]

OMG the belt cover on this drill press looks like a xenomorph's head! :) By the way, I wonder if that VFD has a remote start/stop capability. If so, you could ditch the old switch altogether and hok the buttons up, adding an emergency stop.

[@linus-IO]

Nice mod! Just wanted to warn you about tinning the strands of a cable lead before attaching to screw terminal (looks like thats what happening at 6.35) as the tin is much softer and less springy than copper strands they tend to come loose over time when tinned. I used to do that myself unitl I realized that it was not such a good idea. I guess the better way is to do nothing or even better, use these krimpable copper tubes which keeps the strands together.

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Yeahh, hindsight ... I need to go back in and put ferrules on those wires one day

[@dimitrisgeorgiadis2528]

Very good video Emily ,increasing the frequency is there any chance burning the motor? ,Would a more power vfd be better running the machine?

[@Darryl603]

Hi Emily! How much did the VFD cost? Thanks for taking the time to share...

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Hi Darryl! It was $144 before taxes from Anaheim Automation. You can probably get one a little cheaper on ebay, or a lot cheaper on Ali Express

[@1duesy]

Love your video! Planning a similar project on a vintage DP . Goal is to have low rpm (150) and adequate torque for hole saw and other heavy material removal. However, I noted your comment that your conversion lacked low end torque?

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

It did, so I made some tweaks to things. I adjusted the position of the belt on the pulleys to give it a better ratio for torque. Doing that made it a lot more torquey, but it also reduced my top-end speed. To make up for that, I went into the VFD's settings and increase the max frequency from 60Hz to 90Hz. Doing that gave me good torque at the bottom and a good speed at the top

[@1duesy]

@@EmilysElectricOddities thx for the prompt reply. Most of my drilling involves metal so very little need for higher speeds. Thx again.

[@rayfalcone6897]

hello Emily great video,but i noticed that you were close to the spinning pulley ,that is a big no,no,i have seen two people get dragged into a drill press because of thier long hair,it is not a good ending,one was nearly scalped....so its just a thought. i would like to mention.

[@sdriza]

I know of a 2 yr old girl who was killed by one in Oklahoma... (caught the hoodie on her sweatshirt)

[@linearone]

Hey! You have pfatzgraff mission flower stoneware!! Me too!!!

[@deckers222]

Genial. Yo tambien hice lo mismo para perforar acero sin templar. A baja velocidad. Ten cuidado con tu cabello casi se enreda en la polea. Lo del queso jajajajajaj. Probare hacerlo.

[@AdamOutlaw87]

I was doing a vfd for a air compressor until the price tag for vfd was $1700.00 for a lenztec so i said screw it and bought a new baldor single phase motor for $500.00 but glad this worked for you

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

How many hp was that VFD meant for? The one I bought was only like $150

[@AdamOutlaw87]

@@EmilysElectricOddities i bought a saylor beall air compressor and it had a 5hp 3 phase motor and got a new single phase baldor motor for $500.00 vs the inverter was $1700.00

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

@@AdamOutlaw87 ohh well yea, 5hp is a big motor and a big controller. I think my motor is like 1hp or 3/4hp? I can't remember now

[@dtvking]

Great job, well done. Now for some drilling, other than cheese lol

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Thank you! With this thing working, I will be able to drill almost anything I want.

[@alexb.9381]

😍

[@linossinkala7840]

Hey emily thax for the video ,how can i select a vfd suitable for 3kw motor

[@KJ7JHN]

lol swiss, you silly. Nice video.

[@TheSuperduke516]

Very entertaining, tie your hair back when spinny things are about, y cheese drilling loony xx

[@nigellewis804]

Good safety advice for her

[@michaelbermingham4502]

I have a 0.75 kW drill press. Should I get a 0.75 kW VFD or go a size up and get a 1.5 kW drive?

[@spartaeus]

What brand is that vfd??? And how is it holding up???

[@andrewpalmer1902]

can you add link to where you bought the vfd from? Thank you!

[@randyroot3130]

Any idea where I can locate one of these that runs on 110 and will power a 1.5 horse 220 3 phase motor.....for a reasonable price? The ones I'm finding are $350 or so.

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice video. Did you save those cheese shavings for taco Tuesday's? :-)

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Dang it, no. If only someone had told me sooner ...

[@johngranata5515]

Cool chick ,

[@1889michaelcraig]

I just got a Buffalo #15. I would take that over 3 new ones.

[@moturcu4226]

Hi i have 3Phase cold saw. instead of connecting the Variable Frequency Drive wires it to the motor, can i plug the cold saws power plug into the Variable Frequency Drive?

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Yes, that should work just fine

[@moturcu4226]

@@EmilysElectricOddities Thankyou.

[@pmscompany]

Hi Emily. I have Amazing German Tig welder (complete electronic power supply) I was run on my country with 3x400v or in Usa with a diesel 3x400 generator (this dead for moment). I looking for a Vfd. Is a correct option?

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

If you have a 220V connection at your home, you might be able to find a VFD to output 400V three phase. There are VFDs for many, many purposes, but you will have to research to see if you can find one that suits your needs

[@pmscompany]

@@EmilysElectricOddities Thanks. Help me please. My machine is 240ac/dc model www.rehm-online.de/en/downloads/data-sheet/datenblatt-invertig.pro-digital-240-450-en.pdf With 11kw its enough? Thanks

[@pmscompany]

@@EmilysElectricOddities Efficiency factor [cos phi] 0.96 Power consumption at Imax. [kVA] 9.3 Mains connection [V] 3 x 400 Mains frequency [Hz] 50

[@phantomtech287]

I am also facing same problem with three phase motor

[@Chriva]

This lady! The cheese bahaha :D

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

;-)

[@tablatronix]

hah very cool, I was just searching and looking into VFD to add to my pool pump but the cost for 2hp goes up fast, also these are so confusing, as I need 1 phase only?

[@johnconrad5487]

Thats what I am also trying to do. Did you do it yet? Does it help?

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Single-phase VFDs do exist, but I don't think they're common. I believe (if I'm remembering correctly) that torque is a limiting factor for them

[@2kBofFun]

Does the VFD also work on 2 phase motors?

[@dwaynes5983]

It's single phase or three-phase. There are different combination vfd's. Single to three-phase, three phase to three phase.

[@AndyCallaway]

I like this video, but I thought the ending was a bit cheesy... ;-)

[@dowbrown4454]

You know if your hair got caught in those pulleys and you were totally bald. I would still love you Good on you! Me thinks you are the be all end all. You be cool with your equipment and get a welders cap . May all you touch turn too gold. Love AD

[@jlawrence71]

Great video. I hope you sterilized that drill bit first before making Swiss cheese. Yuck. How do you figure out the order of your three motor wires to hook up properly to the VFD?

[@dikhed1639]

Glad to see you don't eat cancer bread!

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

what the hell is cancer bread

[@dikhed1639]

@@EmilysElectricOddities White bread--pure starch, thus "cancer bread". Maybe it should be called "fat bread" but that doesn't really alert people to it's dangers. When watching movies, mostly the director (or somebody) has people eating cancer bread. LOL,

[@dwaynes5983]

If you need help any electric text me. I been doing this over 30 yrs.. I use Lenze single phase 220 to three phase motors 220 for years.

[@vfdcode]

Is it still working? If it is, you might want to add a load reactor after the VFD. I say this as the motor will die early, if the motor is not VFD rated. If you can see the motor tag on the side, then take a picture of it and i can check it for you. Good job.

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Yeah, it's working well. I've had no problems with it

[@vfdcode]

@@EmilysElectricOddities That is good. Do you want to send a picture of the motor label to me? If you don't, that is ok. If you do, you can find my email address on my KZbin channel.

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

@@vfdcode I mostly don't because I don't want to move a bunch of stuff in my garage to get back there. But also I'm sure it's not VFD rated. It probably dates to the 1970s

[@nimblybimblyinthetrees]

Dear Emily, how do I ground the motor?

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

If it's a case-ground motor, you can just attach the ground wire anywhere on the motor body you can put it. It might already have a spot to attach the ground somewhere near where the power wires enter the motor

[@nimblybimblyinthetrees]

@@EmilysElectricOddities Bitchin'. Thanks! It does have that. I'm realizing that I just need to wire my new 3-phase motor to the same ground as the old single-phase motor? I'm adding the same VFD you have but I'm also swapping over to a 3-phase and I'm a little out of my depth.

[@nimblybimblyinthetrees]

I got mine working. Thanks for the help! I subscribed :)

[@williamfox9523]

Cute! lol

[@sergeydudukin4214]

For God's sake get this pulley covered!!! Getting some PPE like pair of gloves, goggles and hearing protection is not bad idea too.

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

You're right about everything you said, except you should not wear gloves while using a drill press, or any other rotating machinery because they make it easier to get your hands pulled into the machine

[@sanjeevbhogal6818]

you could have simply put a fuse before vfd, and for start stop just assign 2 digital inputs to vfd, even reverse function too if wants, too convenient.

[@rachelxkendra]

Any cheese is swiss cheese if you put in a little effort

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Exactly. You get it

[@DingusSquatfordJr.]

Is that you, Maggie?

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

what

[@DingusSquatfordJr.]

@@EmilysElectricOddities Haha, she is one of the main character in The Walking Dead You look alike

[@edgeeffect]

I wish we all lived in Germany... where all the lucky (expletive deleted) have 3-phase power directly into their homes, like it was normal. Now, why can't the rest of us have that? Some dark, evil conspiracy by the VFD manufacturers???? ;) Oh.... so THAT'S what "cheese grade" drill bits are all about... now I understand. ;) "Ignore Alien........." (what???)

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Wouldn't that be nice? I have some friends giving me a Logan lathe, but I haven't brought it home yet, partially because of the three-phase requirements, and partly because it's awfully big for my workshop

[@edgeeffect]

@@EmilysElectricOddities that sounds so cool! I can lift my lathe with one hand which is good for convenience but a "grown up" lathe (and the space to fit it in) would be lovely!

[@suminagum6605]

Him still confused how you wired 110 to 220 three phase motor, or am I wrong. I thought you had to have 220 going to vfd. But it look like you run 110. 😅

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

The VFD I bought converts 110 to 220

[@pierrec1590]

I don't think this counts as Swiss cheese... you need more holes! ;-)

[@illyakuryakin7834]

Nice drill press and a great job of hooking up the VFD. Watching the video made me a little uneasy. You have long hair and working around any type or a machine tool you should have it pulled back and secured. Many viewers maybe be new to machining. Please emphasize safety.

[@georgeclarke3333]

Anyone wants to comment?

[@larrychristopher9147]

Put your hair up girl!!

[@user-wo7rz3yn4o]

Hmnn I wonder if I should mention the long hair...

[@LAMAYSESSION]

hi

[@joetrupa4376]

Mag ka no vfd

[@Bowtie41]

Nope,shoulda used the chop saw to slice the cheese......;-)

[@johnhall8455]

Dead east to fit a tachometer…

[@watahyahknow]

WATCH OUT WITH LONG HAIR NEAR ROTATING STUFF tie it up or wear a cap

[@cagmito76]

Yeah first videos they show you in college is safety videos and long hair and moving parts and machinery makes a right mess, terrifying , nearly put me off using machinery for life and i do not even have long hair

[@georgeowen2083]

Seriously mute when you speed up that noise is incredibly irritating!

[@EmilysElectricOddities]

Your opinion is noted!

[@maintenancemaintenance8864]

Where ever she’s working at she needs to ask for raise or just walk away