An update, finally motorized the rig.
The old 3/4" bearings.
rig_fix_1.jpg
New 1/2" bearings
rig_fix_2.jpg
A Dayton 9 RPM gear motor. Yes, I've actually bolted it down so it doesn't flop around, and fixed the belt tension, but for picture purposes....
A 1750 RPM 1/2 hp motor is behind the gear motor, I have other uses for that one.
rig_fix_3.jpg
1/2" precision shafting, with these drive rollers. A shame that the drive rollers did not come in 3/4" bore, I would have preferred that.
rig_fix_4.jpg
Video of the setup --->