Variable Speed Upgrade to ShopFox Molder

[James Manning]

I have had this molder for a while and it does a great job on most days but there has been a time or two when I wished I had the variable speed version, santa put the upgrade kit under the christmas tree....;). I have seen posts wanting info about this molder and the upgrade kit, so I thought I would capture my install and pass it along and maybe someone will benefit from it. Below are the parts that come with the kit, I already took the top off and I am beginning by removing the old gearbox.

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[James Manning]

I spent about 2-3 hours over two days to complete this upgrade, that was also while I was watching the playoffs in the shop :D. These are the two drive boxes side by side, the last is after I removed the sprockets and chains from the old drive and installed them on the new variable speed drive box.

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[Keith Outten]

Thanks James,

I own the same machine and will be watching your progress closely. I must admit that I have been considering the upgrade myself but I haven'r been able to convince myself that it is necessary. Your results may provide the information I need to make a final decision.

.

[James Manning]

Here is the new variable speed motor drive box mounted on the molder, as you can see this part is pretty straight forward. After the drive is mounted you have to cut a 1" hole for the conduit that house the power cable. For the conduit to be able to travel up and down with the head, you have to drill and tap the head to mount the conduit and cable clamps.


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[James Manning]

I did not have a 1" hole saw so I used a 1/2" bit and drilled side by side and finished rounding out the hole with my dremmel and a grinding disk. The drill bit & tap come with the kit, the only thing that was not in the kit was a template to locate the holes so you have to take your time and study the pictures and it will turn out fine. You do have to drill a 5/16" & 1/8" holes to mount the speed knob, these bits did not come with the kit.

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[James Manning]

After you drill the two holes for the knob, the small sticker is mounted over the stem and centered. The knob is then mounted with a set-screw. Next the wiring box on the motor has to be replaced with the one from the kit. I found it easier to remove the link belt and let the motor hang down, this made reaching in the cabinet easier. The wiring box in the kit has two holes one for the lead from the main motor switch and the other for the lead from the VS drive.

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[James Manning]

The hardest part of this whole install was reaching in the cabinet and getting the wiring boxes off and then back on again, you have to use the same screws from the old wiring box. The VS lead connects to one leg each in the box, the same ones the main motor switch is on. The last part was drilling two 1/8" holes to mount the circuit board box for the VS knob behind the front. There are two long screws left out of the plastic case and you use them to face mount the box. All in all this was a fairly easy upgrade and I am glad I did it. The system works great and the VS will be real nice when I need to slow down and get that fine finish..........:D:D:D

James.

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