can grinders be converted...

[sawtooth]

Just wondering if one of you would know --- the Oregon 511A- style chain grinders that run only one direction (away from operator) and the grinders that you can run either direction - they look like they have identical housing, motors, etc. Is it a simple matter of a three-position toggle switch and a bit of rewiring to convert a one-direction-only model to a switchable version? Or is it a special reversible motor or something?
Thanks

 

[jokers]

Hi Sawtooth, yes the 511A can be converted to run bi-directionally with a little rewiring. I have one that was converted according to a schematic that Ron Corbeil first made available, requires two switches, and I plan to convert another using a single switch like a factory job, just haven`t gotten to it yet because I waste too much time here at AS. Unfortunately I no longer have the plan from Ron, maybe someone else does if you are interested. Russ

 

[Tony Snyder]

I am interested in the answer to this with regard to the Efco grinders. What I would really like to know is, has Silvey been forced to go to this one directional thing yet?

 

[sawtooth]

conversion

Well, it seemed to me the motors almost -had- to be the same, they look identical (though this might not mean everything?), setup and everything else same, except different wiring and switch. I think I could figure it out if I get an hour or so to tear the two apart carefully --- and see the differences. Seems like I should be able to find a switch somewhere close. If I get to it I'll make up some pix/directions or something for it, for others and future reference.

 

[sawtooth]

Oh yeah...

Oops, I just remembered something...
I talked to the Rotary rep a month or so ago about the reversible chain grinder, whether this is BS or not I don't know, he said ANSI was trying to decide whether or not grinders that run both ways could be unsafe or something...that they eventually ruled they were "okay" but that in the meantime, the grinder maker never went back to making them reversible? I think these ones I called about were Efcos.
Like I said, don't know if this is a line of $#!+ or not.

 

[jokers]

Hi Sawtooth, from what Jeff Sikkema was telling me, the Tecomec grinders that he sells were at one time coming with the schematic for the reversable motor vs the US non-reversing version. The components, except for the switches, were the same. Like I said earlier, I have an Oregon 511A that was converted and have heard of several others, so we know that it works. From what I understand, there is a perceived issue with grinding wheels that turn in both directions. I have heard that no manufacturer wants to say that their wheels are good in both directions and of course you have the liabilty issue of getting crap in your eye if you are not careful. From what I understand relative to converting the grinder is that you first have to ascertain which are the START leads and which are the RUN leads to the motor, and then you have to be able to switch the capacitor from the L1 lead to the L2 lead for reverse. I have a few 3PDT switches with nine lugs just like the ones in the reversable grinders, that I got from McMaster Carr for about $12.50 each. Russ