Need Help!- Single Phase Motor for Bridgeport Milling Machine

[Bilkas]

I am planning to buy a used Bridgeport (Series I - ???) milling machine for hobby use and would like to replace the standard 3 phase motor with a compatible single phase motor. I thought this would have been a rather straightforward matter; however, I have not been able to identify an appropriate replacement motor. The nameplate on a machine I was looking at stated the motor was a "56.5 Frame" but the existing motor looks like some sort of "C-Face" motor. I have replaced motors on other machine tools (with NEMA 56 Frame TEFC motors) and understand the NEMA naming convention for motor frames. Unfortunately, I can't locate any information about a "56.5 Frame." (I prefer not to use a phase converter because of the loss of efficiency and power.) I know I'm not the first person who has thought to do this and was wondering if anyone has successfully done so. Thank you!

[HimyKabibble]

You would be much better off buying a VFD. It's cheaper than a phase converter, and will also give you variable speed.

[colin1544]

Hello check the existing motor plate you may find it is dual voltage already and just needs the wires changing in the terminal box to set it for 240 volt three phase and just connect up a VFD it will more than likely be cheaper for a VFD than a single phase motor. Cheers Colin

[DareBee]

If it is 240 3ph, I would go with the converter type VFD