First of all I would like to thank everyone for contributing a response to my question. You would not believe some o the answers I have had thus far, one from a Festool sales manager who "went away to consult with colleagues" who when he replied informed me, all I needed to do was change the plug!!!!!!!
As you might therefore understand, it is now great I am finally getting responses that if not actual confirmed answers, are at least realistic and thought out which trust me, are much appreciated.
I shall now try and respond to all individually.
110V transformers for power tools are readily available, so just buy one of those. You will need to change the plug on the power tools for a yellow commando plug. If colour coded to US standards BLACK is live (hot) and white is neutral.
Re overheating on 50Hz, you will just haver to try yja and see. It may or may not be a problem.
I have a couple of site transformers back in the UK which it was my intention to use. I've not stripped what the North American market call a plug so thanks for the colour coding advice.
The items I have are a very expensive buy in the UK. Had they been £150 each I wouldn't even be asking this question but the total purchase price of the three items I wish to bring back, (router, circular saw and mitre saw would cost me somewhere in the region of £1800 which is why I was/am hopeful of finding a cheaper solution. In view of this cost, I am a tad wary of using the "Suck it and see" approach.
I have had a Winnebago battery charging transformer burn out after I had added a 230V (110V) input, but bear in mind that was connected for many hours,,, yours will be much more erratic in use so I shouldn't think that you'd have a problem
It is true, all of the power tools would be used in short bursts rather than run continuously which again formed a part of my hope they could operate regardless of the frequency difference.
Lower the frequency and the current will increase, in theory the torque will also increase. There is a fundamental flaw in that, current.
To control the current a reduced voltage should be used, for 120V 60Hz use 100V 50Hz.
To add to the fun, you buy a 230/110V transformer and plug it in. I’ll bet you don’t get 110V out. Despite what the IET says UK voltages are nearer 250V so you will get 120V from the transformer.
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Much depends on the motor type:
Capacitor start motors could have problems with the centrifugal switch.
Universal motors for hand tools should be OK but any speed control could be a problem.
Contact the manufacturers.
As I explained. NOT being a sparks while I have been told a reduction in frequency means an increase in current and therefore a risk of overheat/burn out I do not understand the less freq. ..more current principle. Maybe if it's not too long winded an issue you might explain that to me.
While I accept your comment regarding a 230/110v transformer more likely to give out 120v you also suggest reducing the voltage to 100v 50 Hz. Is there a reasonable option for me to be able to do that given (so far as I know) transformers are as you say 110v??
I have not been able to see wiring diagrams for these tools despite looking online. I therefore do not know if any of them are start capacitor types. What I do know, if this helps anyone out there with an answer, they have what is called, Full wave electronics allowing smooth start, speed adjustment, constant speed and temperature control. This in particular states, The machine power supply is limited and the speed reduced if the motor exceeds a certain temperature. The machine continues operating at reduced power to allow the ventilator to cool the motor quickly. If the machine temperature exceeds the maximum permitted value for longer periods, the machine switches off completely after approx. 40 seconds and can only be switched on again once the motor has cooled sufficiently.
Given the above I do not know if this would be enough to allow operation via the UK 50Hz?? Maybe my providing more information will allow someone to give a more definitive answer.
I did also have a look at the following and wonder if this would/might be a better option or would I be wasting my time and money?
Step-down Voltage Conversion?
This Goldsource ST-5000 Step-down and Step-up Voltage Converter (also described as a step down or step up voltage transformer) is mainly for use in the UK and other European countries to power electrical equipment from the USA. What it does is convert UK/European 220 - 240 volts to US 110 - 120 volts. The output is pure AC and the voltage converter can be used with all appliances rated 0 - 5000W. This voltage converter will take US two pin and three pin plugs.
I have a Snap On angle drill that came from the states,110v 60Hz and it runs ok on one of our 110v site transformers,after all it's intermittent use with a power tool,now continuos running may be a different matter.
I have already responded to a comment similar to this and as you suggest, it was my hope the intermittent use of these tools would allow me to use them in the UK
It is exactly as Tony says. People run away with the idea that the motor overheats because it runs slower. This is partially true, but the main overheating problem is caused by the change in frequency ITSELF, and not the speed change, [as tony said]
On the whole, a bad idea.... I know a chap that imported a load of 60 cycle motors, and he claims that he had to have them rewound... [How true this is i do not know]
john...
I appreciate your comment. I do understand in an ideal world this is a bad idea. As I mentioned above, had the tools I plan to bring over been relatively inexpensive to purchase in the UK, I would not be asking this question. If you like, I am simply clutching at straws in the hope someone might offer a reasonably inexpensive solution.
