Maximizing motors

W

Wapiti

Joined
Sep 25, 1999
Messages
483
Ok, here is perhaps a strange question.
Has anyone else toyed with the idea of using one motor for more than one task. What I am talking about is designs and tricks that allow a motor to be used to run one machine, then by flipping a belt to a different pulley, or maybe swinging the motor around 180 degrees, running a different machine.
This might be a waste of time with reg AC 110 motors, but with more pricey DC motors it might increase their value in a small shop, and save some money.
But perhaps create some probs. I am intrigued enough that I might just try it...at least on paper.
Seems like a topic a mechanical engineer might enjoy.
Has anyone developed something along these lines?
Brome
 
Can't remember the name for the life of me. There is an outfit that puts out a machine called a shopsmith or something. Has a lathe, table saw, sander etc all in one big ass workbench sized machine. 1 possibly 2 motors. Not sure what it takes to switch back and forth from one tool to the next, I think it might just but be throwing a lever.

For your purposes, I think its possible but would require a slightly different set up. Something along the lines of the motor being stationary hooked up to a "transmission" where you can throw different belts/pulleys into power against the main belt running on the motor and an idler/tensioner pulley.
Or, having all the tools lined up on one workbench. Mount the motor on the back with a big belt(maybe a serpentine belt off a mower) that runs all the way down the bench with spindles to hook each tool too (and a shroud of some sort to cover it all). You'd have to come up with some way to turn the corner and get the second belt running in the right direction though. I think you'd lose a lot of power with that much belt though :confused:
DC motors cost a lot, but so do good V belts and pulleys, not to mention bearings, shafts. Hard to say, but I think the motor might be cheaper in the long run.

Interesting idea though
 
they are referred to as a general purpose mandrel, koval, k&g and most other knife supply houses sell them. you have a belt on a pulley in the middle that give you two mandel ends that you could put other pulleys on.
 
There are probably lots of ways to rig up shafts etc.
But if you want to shift the motor from one machine to another that should be just as easy. If you don't want to spend a lot of time bolting and un bolting. You may be able to rig up a cradle on each mahine and use bicycle front wheel quick release clamps.

I use one on my belt sander for adjusting the hight and tilt. It works well, very quick no need for spanners. I went to the bike shope and got one second hand for a couple of dollars. I would be inclined to design it so that the motor has a plate attached that slides into a set of locating groves or pins and just 1 quick release. The locators should be made to take the weight the release to take some of the vibration and slight movement out. Your cradles would also be adjustable for the belt tenssion.

Just an idea. Feel free to scoff and say to your self what a &^%$#
 
Terry McMaster [Blind Dog Knives] uses a setup like this. He ran a solid steel bar the full length of his bench. The motor connects to the end of that bar with a fairly hefty plastic connector that would shear if you stressed the bar WAY too much.

All his knifemaking equipment is connected to the bar with Pillow Blocks, pulleys and belts.

He has a way to lift parts of the bench to release the tension and mount/unmount the belts on the pulleys to 'activate' whichever tool you are using.

If I had seen his setup before I bought all these tools with separate motors I would sure have gone with that idea.

You can vary the speeds by changing pulleys or use a variable speed motor on the whole thing. I am sure impressed with the way the thing works and having only one motor and one electrical circuit to maintain.

Maybe we will luck out and have Terry pop in here.

Good luck with your idea-

Dave
 
Thanks for the replies.
Glad to know I am not the only person who burns up time thinking up crazy stuff like this.
Great ideas. I think I am going to keep working on it, maybe at least run two tools of one motor. Maybe have the motor power one mandrel, like rhinoknives said, with a pulley at each end, and each these pulleys could run a separate machine. I would just flip the pulley off of the machine I wasn't using. I was wondering how much power I would lose. I use a 2HP motor.
I know many years ago, large shops ran all their tools off of one shaft that ran the length of the building, up near the ceiling, and they just dropped belts down to each machine. Many shops powered by water wheels worked this way. Of course that was pre-OSHA! I wasn't thinking quite that large, but that is kind of what gave me the idea. I will have to do some more thinking on the power issue, though.
I never thought of sliding the motor, Reg. That would solve some of the power loss issues if you could slide it from one single belt machine to another. Incorporating a quick release would be nice; rapid position change but the motor is firmly clamped down when being used. I like it.
Windancer, does Terry have a site, or an email? I would love to see his setup.
Thanks for sharing the ideas!
 
I sent Terry an email and asked him to look in. He may be away fishing or some such-

Dave
 
I'm back, Dave thanks for thinking of me on this post. I was amazed the first time I saw six work stations running off of one motor. While the knife making yearnings continued to grow the funds didn't. Those circumstances led me to consider the options.

Originally I ran one one horse at the back of the workbench. That drove a eight foot 3/4 inch mild steel shaft that ran through a series of pillow blocks. Between each set of pillow blocks was a single pulley that ran to the front of the bench. Each belt operated a manderel with buffing, stone, or leather wheels. The first work station ran my grinder. Each station was hinged in the middle of the bench so it would be lifted to disengage or dropped down to engage.

I've just set up the new short version of this in the new shop and will post a pic (soon as I learn how). It is a good system for those on a budget and where space is at a premium. Hope the description helps. If more clarification will help, send me a note. T
terry.linda2@verizon.net
 
Thanks for jumping in, Terry. I think I understand what you are describing. I look forward to your picts when you get a chance.
Thanks,
Brome
 
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