I Need To Scavenge A Small Electric Motor

John_Dennis

John_Dennis

Active User
Registered
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
Messages
381
I am making a small rotary tumbler to clean rifle brass with stainless steel pins. I need to find a small quiet electric motor that is quiet and can run for a few hours without over heating. Probably 1/8 hp or a little smaller

Low RPM is a plus 1750 to 800 rpm

Any ideas what sort of appliances would have a suitable motor?

Has anyone ever repurposed a dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer motor?

What kind of torque and rpms do they have?
 
Maybe a motor from a 20" breezebox fan? They usually are three speed. You may have to provide a small fan blade to keep the motor cool though. You could also cool the motor with a 4" fan from a computer.
 
Most washing machine motors are in the 1/3 -1/2 hp range. Normally 2 speed and reversible . The high speed would be 1750 RPM.

I think dryer motors are about 1/4 HP and 1750 RPM. Don't know about dishwasher motors, but because they run a pump only I'm guessing they might be 3450 RPM motor.

A large fan motor might be a good option for this application, normally 3 speed and pretty good torque.
 
How about a bbq rotisserie motor?

David
 
Old sewing machine motors are cool and the speed can be variable. You can often find them with the speed control foot pedal which can be scavenged for the potentiometer for panel mounting.

I made a fishing reel winder and unwinder using one, but kept the foot control.

Domestic-Sewing-Machine-Motor-Kit-bd40cd59-dd87-4ce5-beb4-5fc4bc2fac77_600.jpg
 
Last edited:
automotive windshield wiper? DC controlled.
 
a small air motor(Gast or similar) would work good quiet and cool---using a simple valve would provide your variable speed and they have a small muffler to run quiet---some even have a gear head for more power-----install your valve on the exhaust side so you will have plenty of power even at slow speeds----Dave
 
You might want to look at a ceiling fan motor. Most of them have 3 speeds, made to run for long periods of time, and are very quiet. Low speed on the one I'm sitting under right now look like about 100-120 RPM.

You can probably get a used ceiling fan for peanuts at Goodwill or similar stores. Missing or broken blades won't be a problem!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top