Choosing an industrial motor usually comes down to three questions: what voltage and phase your shop has, how fast the shaft needs to spin, and whether you want a bare motor or a complete drive package. These four Baldor-Reliance motors answer those questions in very different ways. Prices start at $275 and reach $700, so the right choice depends less on budget and more on matching the motor to the load.
Quick take
- Baldor-Reliance CNM3457: a high-speed motor with a totally enclosed non-ventilated housing.
- Baldor-Reliance RL1324A: the only single-phase motor here, suited to shops without three-phase service.
- Baldor-Reliance VBM3554-S: the most powerful motor-only option.
- Baldor-Reliance VEM3558T + Dodge Quantis: a complete motor-plus-speed-reducer package.
Listed prices at a glance
The low end of this lineup is 61% below the high end: two motors are listed at $275, while the motor-plus-reducer package is at $700.
| Product | Listed price | Price position |
|---|---|---|
| Baldor-Reliance CNM3457 | $275.00 | |
| Baldor-Reliance RL1324A | $275.00 | |
| Baldor-Reliance VBM3554-S | $375.00 | |
| Baldor-Reliance VEM3558T + Dodge Quantis | $700.00 |
Decision matrix
| If your main need is... | Choose this motor | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A high-speed sealed motor for dirty air | CNM3457 | 3,450 RPM base speed and TENV enclosure |
| Single-phase power in a clean shop | RL1324A | Only single-phase motor in the group, with a continuous-duty rating |
| More power in a motor-only package | VBM3554-S | 1.5 HP, 56C frame, and TEFC enclosure |
| A motor and reduction gearbox together | VEM3558T + Dodge Quantis | Comes with a 5.65:1 right-angle reducer rated for 1,019 in-lbs |
Product notes
Baldor-Reliance CNM3457 3-Phase General-Purpose Motor
The CNM3457 is the high-speed option in this group, with a base speed of 3,450 RPM and a TENV enclosure designed for environments with heavy dust, dirt, and light moisture. If your shop has three-phase power and you need a compact general-purpose motor, this is the most direct choice. The tradeoff is output: at 0.33 HP, it is the lowest-power motor among the motor-only options here, so it suits light-duty equipment rather than heavy loads. It is also a new open-box unit, so give it a quick inspection before installation.
Baldor-Reliance RL1324A Single-Phase Motor
The RL1324A stands out as the only single-phase motor in this lineup. It runs on 115/230V at 60 Hz, turns at 1,725 RPM, and is rated for continuous duty, which makes it a straightforward fit for shops that don't have three-phase service. The open enclosure keeps the design simple. The limitation is that same simplicity: an open enclosure gives less protection against dust and moisture than the totally enclosed designs in this group, so keep it in a relatively clean, dry location. It is also slower than the high-speed CNM3457 if you need maximum shaft speed.
Baldor-Reliance VBM3554-S Synchronous Motor
The VBM3554-S is the most powerful motor-only option here, rated at 1.5 HP on a 56C frame. It is a three-phase synchronous motor with a 1,755 RPM base speed and a TEFC enclosure, so you get enclosed construction with more output than the smaller motors. The main limitation is speed: at about 1,755 RPM, it will not spin as fast as the high-speed CNM3457, so high-speed jobs need a different motor.
Baldor-Reliance VEM3558T + Dodge Quantis Speed Reducer
The VEM3558T is the only product here that arrives as a complete motor-and-speed-reducer package. It combines a Baldor-Reliance motor with a Dodge Quantis right-angle helical-bevel reducer, which has a 5.65:1 ratio and a maximum output torque of 1,019 in-lbs. For a three-phase system that needs speed reduction without sourcing a separate gearbox, this package removes that extra step. The catch is that it is a three-phase motor, so it will not run on single-phase power, and the package is not built around a high-speed motor.
Final recommendation by use case
- Single-phase shop? Choose the RL1324A; it is the only single-phase motor in the group and is rated for continuous duty.
- Dusty environment and high speed? Choose the CNM3457; its TENV enclosure and high-speed design line up with that job.
- Need the most power in a stand-alone motor? Choose the VBM3554-S; the 56C frame and enclosed construction give you the strongest motor-only option.
- Want motor and gear reduction in one package? Choose the VEM3558T + Dodge Quantis; the included reducer and torque rating make it a ready-made drive.
