i'm swapping my d80d motor on my IH for a 3200 RPM 56c motor. i picked it up for a bout $60.00 and other than needing an adapter flange and a new keyway plus a shaft bushing it fits right on. if anyone is interested i can attach pics. this new motor will give me the higher RPM that i want. the only thing i don't get is the variable speed from the VFD but i've got the gear head and it should work just fine.

Runner - yes, please post some pictures of your setup.

i will post some pics when i get home tonight.

heres some pics of what i built.

http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/data/500/medium/56C_motor.jpg

http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/data/500/medium/56c_conversion_bracket.jpg

the bolts that bolt the motor to the head are captive between the motor and the bracket. granted its not ideal, but this will allow the use of more readily available 56C motors on these mills.

I've ran the 3450 RPM motor on the mill for a few days now and its alot nicer than the original 1725 RPM that was there. it also seems quieter than before. this might be an easier option for an upgrade on this mill other than converting a D90D to D80D specs.

"new keyway plus a shaft bushing"

What did you have to do, widen the keyway?
And please describe the shaft bushing....you've got me intrigued!

the shaft bushing is sized to go over the motor shaft, and then fit into the mill head. basically i turned a bushing so it was a tight fit over the shaft.

the key way, is a stepped keyway with the small end fitting the motor and the large end fitting the mill head. i will try and show some pics tomorrow.

Not sure if this is really easier than converting D90 to D80 spec, which only need the shaft turned down and a new keyway cut. D90 and D80 share the same B5 flange dimensions with the same bolt pattern.

However, D90 conversion is better suited if you want to go the 3ph VFD route. Single phase AC metric motors are not easily found here in USA. IF you want to stay single phase AC, 56C motors are much more common place.

Nice work. Looks like it will work very well for you.

This is my manual mill so i don't plan on using the VFD, which is exactly why i made this conversion to go to 56C. much more readily available motors and there for less expensive.

the only thing i now have an issue with is that the capacitors are turned so that i can use the power drawbar that bob warfield built. i will have to modify the concept to make it work. not really a major problem, but i thought i'd post it.

good idea for a higher rpm motor,inexpensive conversion, i can't figure why
it would be more quieter though, i will plan on doing this also .
thanks for your posts.

btw: how is the foaming of the gear box oil at the higher speed?

i'm running the recommend modil DTE light as was posted on aarons website. the head foams at 3600 but i don't think this is really that big of a problem. the head foamed when i had the 1700 RPM motor on there too.

Runner - how warm does the head of your mill get with the Mobil light?

wildcat, how are you guys measuring the head temp? i have no idea how warm it is, since i haven't measured it. but i'll have some time this week so i'll get it done.

I just used a handheld IR thermometer. I don't recall the exact accuracy... seems like it is +/- 2% of the reading.

the only thing i now have an issue with is that the capacitors are turned so that i can use the power drawbar that bob warfield built. i will have to modify the concept to make it work. not really a major problem, but i thought i'd post it.
Can you not easily turn the 56C motor so that the capacitors are pointed sideways? I have to look at how my D90 motor is oriented on mine, but I'm pretty sure I can turned the motor to any of the 4 orientations. I actually have it worse than you, since my Leeson 2HP D90 has a large electrical termination box. Your 56C doesn't appear to have that. Or may be it's not shown in you pics?

I agree BW did a great job on the ATC. Sure inspired me to give it a try. Doesn't seem to be all that difficult. I bought a 3/8" HF impact wrench some yrs back and never used it. It looks just like Bob's and may actually be the same model.

your can index the motor into any of 4 postions, however, if the capacitors point to the rear, then they interfere with the column. if you capacitors point to the side of the switch then your wire input is in the rear. this maybe ok if you use a 90° strain relief. i may end up doing this over the holiday week. if you have the capacitors go the other way, the the wiring is in front. i don't like my wires hangin out where there are moving parts. i agree it would probably be ok, but i didn't want to risk it. as of yet i haven't built the pwoer drawbar, i'll keep you guys posted.

i haven't gotten to the temp yet. but the higher speed motor is just the ticket this mill needed. cutting at 3400 RPM is amazing compared to 1800. i do mostly aluminum work and its a night and day difference. i recommend upgrading to everyone who has one of these mills. whether you use what i did or you go with a d80d type conversion its definitely worth the trouble.

RUNNER4404SP,
lOOKS GOOD, ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO THIS MOD TO YOUR IH CNC ALSO?

yup, i definitely plan on doing this on my cnc version too. i think this would be great to also add a belt drive too and then get some really nice speeds for a bench mill.

An easy way to acurately measure temperature is to use a K type thermocouple. ( Chrome-Alum) The yellow one. My cheapy volt ohm meter reads temp. To make a thermocouple the ends of the wires have to be welded , or crimped , or jamed together. Thermocouples create a voltage (although small) from the two differant metals in proportion to temp. After you make this you can use it for any thing including air temp. Lee:)
After checking the web I found some numbers.
1370 deg c = 2498 deg f almost 55mv
-270 deg c = -454 deg f almost -6.5 mv
So you see the range is big enough.
Temp between these two numbers post a mv output.
The complete ref chart is a PDF file. Just search the web for it.
These numbers are corected with a 0 deg c referance.
Without a ref your numbers will reflect the ambient temp dif.
Lee