New to me Van Norman 26

J

jdbouchard60

Plastic

Joined

Jan 5, 2023

• Jan 10, 2023

• #1

Hi all, I am new to this forum. I just purchased a Van Norman 26 and when I was doing my research on the machine, I found a couple of post on this forum so I figured I would post my questions here.

Machine serial number is 26-5365 but I have no idea about mfg. date since the little name plate is gone. I’m going to pickup the machine later in February so no pictures yet, but I will post some as I’m rebuilding the machine.

My first order of business is going to be to convert it to run on 240V 3 phase motors since it is currently rigged to operate on 600V.

• For some reason, the machine has a spindle motor of 3hp even though the documentation states that these machines should be running a spindle motor of 5hp. Do you think I should look for a 5hp or it’s fine with 3? This is going to be a garage mill that won’t see much heavy use.
• The power feed motor is 2hp. Is it risky to run a 3hp instead? I’m worried about breaking stuff in the gearbox… I also heard that if you run a smaller VFD the motor is going to act like the VFD power. Meaning if I run a 2hp VFD on my 3hp motor, the motor is going to produce as much torque as a 2hp motor. Any thoughts on that?

I’m asking because I currently have 2 x 3hp motor that I could use for this conversion.

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2023

sfriedberg

Diamond

Joined

Oct 14, 2010

Location

Oregon, USA

• Jan 10, 2023

• #2

While technology has loosened the rules a bit, you generally do not want to run two independently operated 3-phase motors on one VFD. A phase converter (rotary or electronic, like PhasePerfect $$$) will operate both motors fine. A VFD generally expects to get intimate with one motor, and having two motors independently switched on and off will not be a happy experience.
If 3HP spindle power is adequate for your needs, the machine won't suffer for not having a 5HP spindle.
As for the feed motor, a 2HP motor is ample to break anything that doesn't have an overload clutch or shear pin. So you probably won't be in any greater trouble with a 3HP motor. The #26 has the feed motor in the base, with a power shaft coming up parallel to the knee elevation screw, right? So if the base has ample room for the larger motor, go for it.

 

J

jdbouchard60

Plastic

Joined

Jan 5, 2023

• Jan 11, 2023

• #3

I was actually thinking about installing one VFD for each motor since it will also give me the ability to only turn on the spindle if I'm not using the power feed. These things are not as expensive as the used to be and I got the mill for a reasonable price so I don't mind spending a little bit of extra on the electrical side of things

Thanks !

 

sfriedberg

Diamond

Joined

Oct 14, 2010

Location

Oregon, USA

• Jan 11, 2023

• #4

A VFD for each motor will be fine. And give you the advantage of fine-tunable feeds as well as spindle speeds.

 

J

jdbouchard60

Plastic

Joined

Jan 5, 2023

• Monday at 10:32 AM

• #5

I am trying to figure out the adapter bracket for the two motors ahead of time so I can get the machine up and running as quickly as possible when I get it.

I have all the info I need for the spindle motor but the power feed motor does not have its nameplate anymore. The machine is all packaged and wrapped at the vendor’s place, so I don’t feel like asking him to take some measurement. I cannot locate the info in any of the documentation either.

Could anyone with a VN26 take a quick look at the power feed nameplate and give me the frame number? Spindle is 225 and the PF looks like it has a similar bolt pattern but I don’t want to assume too much.

Thanks!

 

sfriedberg

Diamond

Joined

Oct 14, 2010

Location

Oregon, USA

• Monday at 2:49 PM

• #6

My VN is a #28A, with a totally different location for the feed motor, mounted to the right side of the knee. Can't help with that question on a #26.

 

B

Brandenberger

Cast Iron

Joined

Sep 19, 2017

• Tuesday at 9:38 PM

• #7

Plate for feed motor on VN22LU (may be different on VN26!). Frame 224.

 

J

jdbouchard60

Plastic

Joined

Jan 5, 2023

• Yesterday at 11:45 AM

• #8

That would make sens, thanks!
The only thing I know about the motor on mine is that it has a 1” shaft. Looking at the frame size chart the only two frames to ever have a 1” shaft were the 224 and the 225. The only difference between the two being the position of the rear bolt. At this point I will just build my bracket with slotted rear holes to accommodate both options. Easy enough.

 

sfriedberg

Diamond

Joined

Oct 14, 2010

Location

Oregon, USA

• Yesterday at 12:19 PM

• #9

On a slight tangent, the motor on my VN is so old (1956), it's from the earlier NEMA frame series. I decided to have a local motor shop relead and reseal the windings, rather than make an adaptor mount for a new(er) motor.

 

J

jdbouchard60

Plastic

Joined

Jan 5, 2023

• Yesterday at 12:43 PM

• #10

Interesting, was it expensive?

 

sfriedberg

Diamond

Joined

Oct 14, 2010

Location

Oregon, USA

• Yesterday at 2:49 PM

• #11

Releading was cheaper than buying a new motor. I think I paid somewhere between $100 and $200. For a one-time refurb, I didn't flinch. They washed out the stator windings, attached new leads (insulation was dying), and re-varnished the windings.