What Motor To Use

[Out-Station]

I've just finished building myself a lathe, 4 spring locking supports with roller door wheels, all alloy and they slide in an alloy bed/track arrangment. Works well but i want to add a motor. Couple of questions on this

1. I'm under the impression that the motor need to be able to run both directions right? Probably with a foot control? Or is one direction fine as long as you can han turn the rod back the other way?

2. What are the best motors to use? where do you get em etc.

any help would be great.

cheers, Scott

[Cameron Sims]

the cheapest way is to get a microwave oven motor and put it on
cameron

[oldboot]

there are quite a number of mtors you could consider.

mirror ball motors are quite convienient because they are already wired with a plug and flex, they are designed to screw down to a flat surface and they run at vey low RPM... typical speeds are 2, 3 and 6 rpm..... howver I would recomend gettinh a heavyduty one as the stadard ones are a bit weak in the gearing.

windscreen wiper motors are always a good option, heaps of torque and you can reduce the speed by running them on a lower voltage.

jaycar/ electus have a couple of 12v dc gear motors, the small one is a bit weak but the bigger one has plenty of go and is similar to that used on may battery drills.

The minimum speed is a bit high, but if you run them off a lower voltage and or run a reduction betwen the motor and the main shaft of your rig ... you can sort it.

battery drills are also a worthwhile source of motors there are plenty of them out there cheap and there are also heaps of them on the tip after the batteries have died... same issues as with the gear motors.

not all that keen on the microwave motors becaue they are a bit on the weak side and probaly 240V powered, so unless you are licenced you shouldn't be playing with it.

or if you were feeling a bit rich... just but a braBQ rotisary motor... you might have to gear that down a little too.

then you could go down the toy motots line.

heaps of choices.

cheers

[Out-Station]

Thanks for the replies fellas,

What RPM is good for wrapping, i was thinking 60-70 rpm would be the go or is this to fast. Note that i've got a battery powered dryer motor that goes onto the bed (3rpm) so its just the main wraper i'm after. Can the windscreen wipir motors run both ways with current reversal or can you spin them backwards no worries?

[finga]

I made mine out of Singer sewing machine motors but threw them away.
Unless your doing lot and lots and lots they're a waste of time.
Better off spining by hand IMO for the hobbyist.