I have an old Boice-Crane 6" planer/joiner (apparently a Model 661-H) left me by my father who must have bought it in the 60s. It's is seriously under powered with a 3/4 HP electric motor which goes out on thermal overload if it gets pushed at all. I have a 2HP motor (correct RPMs and rotation, the same shaft diameter of 5/8") that I wish to swap in. The 3/4" motor has a 7" pulley (diecast by National Hardware Specialties, Ltd of Canada), the joiner a Congress diecast 2-1/2"-A pulley.
Some questions...please pardon my ignorance and allow for my utter cluelessness, also for my wish to do this on the cheap...I'm 74 living on SS..:
I appreciate any help or advice you can give me.
Some questions...please pardon my ignorance and allow for my utter cluelessness, also for my wish to do this on the cheap...I'm 74 living on SS..:
- Will the Congress 2.5" pulley on my joiner be up to being driven by a 2HP motor or:
- Do I need a cast iron pulley for the greater HP?
- Do I need a bigger pulley on the joiner with that HP, as I am to understand that there are HP transfer limitation with so small a pulley?
- If I need a bigger pulley on the joiner, then I need a bigger pulley on the motor (which I will have to replace anyway: I don't think a 7" die-cast pulley would stand up). If I go to an 8" pulley on the motor what size pulley would I need on the joiner?
- If I can use commonly available 1/2" V belts, should a switch to two belt pulleys or can I get by with a more capable belt, either "A" or "AX" type, rather than the current 4L belt?
- The current 3/4 HP motor is mounted on a swing pivot so that the weight of the motor tensions the belt. Will this work with the 2HP but heavier motor or will I need to do something else? The planer is mounted on a universal stand that is good enough but has no bottom platform for mounting the motor.
I appreciate any help or advice you can give me.