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I have an edge sander that I use daily that is wired at 220v. It can also be wired for 110v. 220 outlets are sparser than I’d like where it is located, and if I could harvest the outlet for another machine it would be of benefit to me.

Am I likely to see a difference in the performance of the machine if I had it switched over?

I bought a Grizzly table saw that was default wired for 110v. It underperformed so I switched the wiring to 220v. The difference was massive. I assume the other way would do the same, revert back. But how much would the effect be on an edge sander? Maybe try it. On my tablesaw it was moving a wire or two to different terminals.

If you switch it to 110v, it won’t be as powerful, it won’t start as quickly, and it will run hotter. But maybe you don’t need optimum performance from that particular machine in order to use it the way you want to. It’s not a terrible idea to try it and see how it goes. The only woodworking machines I run on 220v are the CNC spindle and the 5hp dust collector. All others run on 110v and they work well enough for my light duty needs.

You know the one thing in my shop that showed lackluster performance at 110v, so I had to switch it to 220v? The whole house humidifier. 110v didn’t add enough humidity, but 220v does great.

A bit more information is desirable. What is the nominal 110V branch circuit amperage rating (from your breaker or fuse in the associated panel board), your wall current during normal shop use hours (it is seldom 110V... might well be closer to 120-125V), and the nominal horsepower rating on your sander motor when wired for 110V operation (i.e., some motors carry a higher rating at 220V than 110V)?

At my old shop I had more 240 outlets than I do in my new shop (I'm in the process of remedying that). I converted a dust collector and my Uniplane to 120 from 240. Neither runs nearly as strong now, and the startup is slower. On startup, the Uniplane sometimes kicks the 15 amp breaker that I've been running it from too. (new 20 amp 120 circuits going in along with the extra 240 circuit).

Dave

Other factors to take into account. The 220 circuit will pull half the amperage, not a big deal if your wiring is up to par. If it’s a long run and it’s a high draw machine it definitely could be. Voltage drop on a long run of wiring with a possibly undersized wire (14 gauge should be banned). Startup draw, running amperage, quality of wiring are factors to be taken into account.

The 220 is a brand new line almost certainly properly installed. The corresponding 110 plugs on the same wall are 15amp circuits, but the machine says it draws 9 amps wired for 110.