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Thread: Things to do with an old treadmill motor

  1. #1
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    Things to do with an old treadmill motor

    I have a treadmill that has a good 2hp motor that has outlived the rest of the machine.

    Any thoughts on how to repurpose it?

    I'm getting a new lathe, so that's not an option.

    Belt grinder for sharpening?

  2. #2
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    Is it a TEFC model? What speed does it run at?
    Last edited by David Eisenhauer; 01-08-2018 at 9:26 AM.
    David

  3. #3
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    Some kind of grinder was my first thought. My father used an old washing machine motor with a disk attached directly on the shaft.

  4. #4
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    Variable speed drive for a drill press.
    Lots of internet articles on how to convert a drill press to variable speed with a treadmill motor.
    "The first thing you need to know, will likely be the last thing you learn." (Unknown)

  5. #5
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    +1 on Mike's suggestion. They make very good drill press motors.
    Grant
    Ottawa ON

  6. #6
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    They are dc so variable speed is easy, especially if you save the controls.

  7. #7
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    Before building anything with it, be aware that the motor will not be anywhere near 2 HP. look at the label to find out the current draw & voltage . Multiply the 2 to get the watts. A 1 HP motor will use about 1000W, with losses factored in. For some reason, anything that has a universal, DC, or any other motor (shop vac, blender, router, treadmill) other than an induction motor seems to have wildly inflated HP numbers.

  8. #8
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    Do you know anyone who handloads ammunition ??? They(we) like to use those motors to convert into wet tumbling systems to clean used brass.

  9. #9
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    Build a treadmill.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Wingard View Post
    Do you know anyone who handloads ammunition ??? They(we) like to use those motors to convert into wet tumbling systems to clean used brass.
    My first thought was a big tumbler to soften up edges on small wooden parts. I was going to make some Jenga type blocks and some toy blocks for Christmas, but didn't want to ease all of the edges...
    JR

  11. #11
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    Put a propeller on it and generate electricity.
    Bill

  12. #12
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    I have watched some utube on converting a wood cutting band saw to a wood and metal cutting saw with a tread mill motor. Works quite well.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frank Pratt View Post
    Before building anything with it, be aware that the motor will not be anywhere near 2 HP. look at the label to find out the current draw & voltage . Multiply the 2 to get the watts. A 1 HP motor will use about 1000W, with losses factored in. For some reason, anything that has a universal, DC, or any other motor (shop vac, blender, router, treadmill) other than an induction motor seems to have wildly inflated HP numbers.
    This is true, but it is the speed controller that limits the maximum current to the motor. An industrial DC speed control of proper size will let the motor produce full power. You must provide external cooling if you remove the flywheel (it is the cooling fan too) and/or use a different controller or the motor will burn up.


    John

  14. #14
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    Do you know anyone who handloads ammunition ??? They(we) like to use those motors to convert into wet tumbling systems to clean used brass.
    What's that they say about great minds?
    I was going to suggest that very thing!
    Just big up a big old worn out truck or tractor tire & make a giant tumbler.
    My granddad always said, :As one door closes, another opens".
    Wonderful man, terrible cabinet maker...

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