Machinist Show Yourselves !

Smokeyja wrote:

McGiever wrote:Hubble L15-20P Twist-Lock

That's what they sell at lowes and made in china.

Woodhead
http://www.bradharrisonsales.com/wiring_devices/s ... evices.htm
Not sure where they are made. Just the only other name I could think of. Plastic parts are tough.

The nema configuration should be based on number of wires needed, with or without ground, voltage and max amperage.

http://www.stayonline.com/reference-nema-locking.aspx

There are various manufacturers but stick with a name brand.

It will be tough not to find something made in china or outside the usa.

Hubble is a good brand.
I see Woodhead used on fire department cords because they have a water resistant product.

Flyer5 wrote:

Smokeyja wrote: That's what they sell at lowes and made in china.

Woodhead
http://www.bradharrisonsales.com/wiring_devices/s ... evices.htm
Not sure where they are made. Just the only other name I could think of. Plastic parts are tough.

I just called them and most products are made in Mexico none in the USA though.
I don't necessarily mind Mexico or a few a other counties but what I do mind is the fact the keep the same prices on their products when they switch to cheaper outsourced labor.

I'm going to keep looking. The Hubble stuff looked cheap to me. Poor plastic castings that hassle been trimmed very well and the plastic looked thin and brittle rather than their older plugs which was tougher.

At least the stuff I saw at lowes looked cheap.

Id just hard wire it I doubt you'll be moving it around much, when you hook it up it might runs backward if it does switch two hot legs and it will run right. I don't know why but, iv seen that happen a few times. Two bad it cost us a pump in our iron worker they don't like being run backwards very long. Mc master carr has some nice plugs if you really want a plug.

All manufacturers make various grades. The big box stores buy the cheapest to be competitive.

Look at Graingers:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/plugs-and-recept ... sst=subset

Duh! I forgot all about McMaster and grainger !

I guess my hopes a pretty shot for a US made plug. That's fine as long as its good.

Actually this stuff will move around shortly. As soon as I gain enough capital I'm building a large steel building on my property and all the metal working operations will be put in there and my current garage will be woodworking only.

I don't even know how my phase converter is going to be on the output end. Still waiting on the phone call saying I can pick it up.

I prefer McMaster. I hate how Grainger waits until you've already committed & paid before unleashing the shipping costs upon you.

Hubble and Woodhead are the 2 leading brands.

If you don't like either of them, your S.O.L.

They are mfg'd to UL Standards, and are as good as they have ever been. They are very rugged despite how they may appear.

The L-15 is what I figured you were needing, it is the NEMA configuration for 250 VAC (4 wire) 3 poles, plus a ground.
If you are running 480 VAC...then it is different...a L-16.

McGiever wrote:Hubble and Woodhead are the 2 leading brands.

If you don't like either of them, your S.O.L.

They are mfg'd to UL Standards, and are as good as they have ever been. They are very rugged despite how they may appear.

The L-15 is what I figured you were needing, it is the NEMA configuration for 250 VAC (4 wire) 3 poles, plus a ground.
If you are running 480 VAC...then it is different...a L-16.

No no you where right with the L15 . I guess I'm just disappointed that I have these nice American made machines and have to put a Chinese part on it. For one Chinese parts are cheap no matter what standard there is and for two I like to support American job. But... If I need the part I need the part. Ill try to go with Mexico before china though. At least I'm supporting North America !

Ok I went with the L15 20p as suggested and it is cooper brand , made in Mexico and then I picked up the SO 12 wire made in the USA good for 600v 20amp . That is just for the grinder .

I need to figure out what I need for the mill. I was talking to the owner of the electrical supply place I found today "state electrical" and he was explaining to me the set up . Are any of you guys really good with electrical schematics ? I can uploa the PDF of the schematic to my mill. What he was explaining was that maybe 480 went in at one time and there is a transformer that steps down the power . But that's where I get foggy . I don't understands step downs , step ups and starters very well , yet at least. So anyone who can help me review these schematics would be my hero .

Basically I want to run the machine how it was setup to run with a main power in and then it powers the other motors.

Here is the PDF

http://stellarsmithing.com/cincinnatiTM/TMwiring.pdf

it is a schematic of this:

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa471/SuperJA ... C2101F.jpg

The Gentleman at State Electric told me he can get the main cut off switch and rod for me as well which is super cool!

anyways I need to run a main wire into the machine which will feed everything else. Can any one get me started in the right direction?

Ok 3 phase can sometimes always stump me especially when we are talking rotation. I have L1 L2 L3 marked in the grinders electrical box. But of course every 3 phase plug has xyz g . Why the heck they can't match up letters I have no idea but I need some help. A grinder rotates towards you to shoot sparks downward right? So to achieve that rotation could anyone tell me which legs to put where on the plug ?

Smokeyja wrote:Ok 3 phase can sometimes always stump me especially when we are talking rotation. I have L1 L2 L3 marked in the grinders electrical box. But of course every 3 phase plug has xyz g . Why the heck they can't match up letters I have no idea but I need some help. A grinder rotates towards you to shoot sparks downward right? So to achieve that rotation could anyone tell me which legs to put where on the plug ?

3 phase except for direction you will just land the 3 wires on the plug if you are not using the ground. Do you have a 3 prong or 4 prong plug and outlet? When you go to start it , just bump it for direction. If backwards just swap any 2 phases. BTW I will usually go x- L1 y- L2 z- L3 . but it may not stay that way depending on where you swap wires to get correct rotation.

Flyer5 wrote:

Smokeyja wrote:Ok 3 phase can sometimes always stump me especially when we are talking rotation. I have L1 L2 L3 marked in the grinders electrical box. But of course every 3 phase plug has xyz g . Why the heck they can't match up letters I have no idea but I need some help. A grinder rotates towards you to shoot sparks downward right? So to achieve that rotation could anyone tell me which legs to put where on the plug ?

3 phase except for direction you will just land the 3 wires on the plug if you are not using the ground. Do you have a 3 prong or 4 prong plug and outlet? When you go to start it , just bump it for direction. If backwards just swap any 2 phases. BTW I will usually go x- L1 y- L2 z- L3 . but it may not stay that way depending on where you swap wires to get correct rotation.

3pole 4 wire (4 prong) L15 20p

Smokeyja wrote:

Flyer5 wrote: 3 phase except for direction you will just land the 3 wires on the plug if you are not using the ground. Do you have a 3 prong or 4 prong plug and outlet? When you go to start it , just bump it for direction. If backwards just swap any 2 phases. BTW I will usually go x- L1 y- L2 z- L3 . but it may not stay that way depending on where you swap wires to get correct rotation.

3pole 4 wire (4 prong) L15 20p

Good I was hoping you would be running a ground.

You know what's the point of any color codes at all? I always read online different color codes and They are never the same or right. So the standard for USA is L1- black L2- red L3- blue Nuetral- white and Ground /earthen - green ...

So I buy "Made in USA" so 12 wire and it has black-pink-white-green ... Seriously? Lol

Not that it's a huge deal but electrical codes and diagrams have always been crappy ! And they are always different!