The misadventures of a Wells-Index 860C

[ScrapMetal]

Well, I think I pretty much lucked out as when I checked the building plans I found that there was a 1.5" pvc conduit connecting my building equipment room to the "shop"/garage. There were already three strands of #3 awg wire in place as well as one strand of #6 awg for ground.

I spent an entire day with a metal "fish tape". At the 160' mark it would hit a dead stop. I tried to use a smaller fish tape to reach it but was unsuccessful. As a last resort I pulled it all out and started from the other end. Ended up with the same results, dead at the 160' mark.

Today I used a different tactic. It'll end up costing me a bit more but it will probably save my voice from another day of a constant stream of profanities. In short I'm now going to use the existing #6 wire for the pull.

Here is a pic of my "professional" setup using some 12 gauge wire, a couple of wood screws, and a broom.



It actually worked fairly well. I did need to run back and forth a number of times to keep the wire from getting kinked as well as to add more lubricant. I think that if I had taken the time to make a solid spool for it much of that running could have been eliminated.

You may also note that there is a stranded nylon line being pulled in to the conduit with the #3 wire. I will be using that tomorrow to pull through another #6 wire which is where my "added costs" came from. The old wire's case was just too beat up to use again so I picked up some new wire on my way home for tomorrow's "pull". It should go much faster as I left the broom in place.

Now will come the tricky part. I need to figure out what I need for a new power panel. I want it slightly larger than the existing panel but not huge. I don't know if they make a panel for 3-phase/4 wire, 240v and 100 amps in that size or not and trying to figure out the specs from online information is daunting.

I'm getting a bit closer anyway.

Thanks guys,

-Ron

[Hopefuldave]

ScrapMetal Wrote:You may also note that there is a stranded nylon line being pulled in to the conduit with the #3 wire. I will be using that tomorrow to pull through another #6 wire which is where my "added costs" came from. The old wire's case was just too beat up to use again so I picked up some new wire on my way home for tomorrow's "pull". It should go much faster as I left the broom in place.

Something I've always done is pull more string/rope/whatever through with the new cable, that way you can always pull the cable back and have the string/? there to pull more through - I leave it in place too, however long it waits, it's a lot cheaper than hefty copper cable!

If you get really stuck, you can attach a piece of fine cord to a bundle of wool (like the pom-pom on a kid's bonnet) and suck it through the conduit with a vacuum cleaner...

Dave H. (the other one)

[DaveH]

Ron.

Well done

DaveH

[ScrapMetal]

(06-12-2012, 03:16 PM)Hopefuldave Wrote: Something I've always done is pull more string/rope/whatever through with the new cable, that way you can always pull the cable back and have the string/? there to pull more through - I leave it in place too, however long it waits, it's a lot cheaper than hefty copper cable!

If you get really stuck, you can attach a piece of fine cord to a bundle of wool (like the pom-pom on a kid's bonnet) and suck it through the conduit with a vacuum cleaner...

Dave H. (the other one)

I thought about trying that but as there were already four other wires in the conduit I am pretty sure that you couldn't get a good enough "seal" to move it the distance I had to go.

(06-12-2012, 04:31 PM)DaveH Wrote: Ron.

Well done

DaveH

I used the "string" to pull the #6 ground wire through today and all went well. I pulled another length of string with it as well so I can leave it there "just in case". Highly doubt I'll ever need it but one never knows.

I'm done pulling wire. Now the search is on to find a power panel.

Thanks guys,

-Ron

[ETC57]

Nicely done! Ron.


Jerry.

[ScrapMetal]

Time for another update.

"It lives!"

I found a 3-phase panel on e-bay and spent a couple of afternoons replacing the old box as well as running some conduit/wiring for an outlet near the back of the "shop".



I also re-wired both motors for 208-230v (which turned out to be much easier than expected). Thanks to whoever had the idea of putting the wiring diagrams on the motor plates!!!

Today I was able to plug it in for the first time and turn it on. Checked the function of the switches and motors, everything seems to be in good working order. I didn't run the motors for very long as now I need to get the right lubricants for it. I want to keep it in as good of shape as I can.

I did have one little embarrassing "mishap" with it though. I was testing out the one-shot lube system. I pushed on the lever a few times and did not see any oil seeping out from where it should. Figuring that I had one of two situations, either the lines were empty as it has sat for a while, or the pump was not working (it did feel a little stiff).

With that in mind I continued to cycle the lever hoping to see some oil appear. After a couple of minutes (maybe 5 or so ) I decided to give up and come back to it later to figure out just what was wrong. Now, as I walked around to the other side of the mill what do I see? Oil is dripping down the side of the knee and on to the floor. I have a puddle that covers about two square feet.

Good thing I keep a bag of "oil-dry" handy.

Ironically enough, now I need to go buy some oil for the mill as well as a couple of other items so I can actually try to make some chips with it.

-Ron

[Mayhem]

Good work Ron. Workshop floors are suppose to oil stained!

[Highpower]

Well that certainly has been keeping you busy hasn't it Ron?

Do it once, and do it right. It looks like you've done an outstanding job of that, and will get many years of reliable service out of it. Good for you!

I hope you have a good broom and shovel nearby because I see some serious chips coming off of that machine in the future.

Willie

[ScrapMetal]

(07-02-2012, 07:12 AM)Highpower Wrote: Well that certainly has been keeping you busy hasn't it Ron?

Do it once, and do it right. It looks like you've done an outstanding job of that, and will get many years of reliable service out of it. Good for you!

I hope you have a good broom and shovel nearby because I see some serious chips coming off of that machine in the future.

Willie

Yeah, I was actually thinking of putting up a welding curtain across the "shop" just to keep the swarf in the back half.

Thanks guys,

-Ron

[TOM REED]

Welding curtain would probably be an excellent idea, also would keep prying eyes from seeing what you are doing . tpm