Thoughts on this motor?

B

beaster456

Joined
Dec 30, 2012
Messages
193
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage...2-horsepower-compressor-duty-motor-67842.html
I bought some step pulleys to step down my craftsman 2x42 and to increase the power. Right now I'm using what I think to be either a 1/2 or 3/4 bench grinder motor but it's really not powerful enough for what I'm doing especially since it's not direct drive. I know there's some disdain for harbor freight 'round these parts but I've had some decent experience with some of their power tools but I wanted to know what ya'll think
 
I don't know that it's disdain. Just knowing that you get what you pay for is the key.

As for motors, have you looked around your city/town/county? You'd be surprised how often good motors just get scrapped. Especially the HVAC and pump guys. It's hard to beat free...

-Eric
 
Looks like it's not a sealed motor which can be bad when it comes to steel dust getting inside
 
HF only sells one or two motors that are suitable for grinders. That's not one of them. I think the highest power motor they have that is TEFC is the 1HP Farm Duty motor I bought.
 
I've seen a couple of good sales on their farm duty motors. Get the extended warranty on it if you decide to get one.
 
I love HF personally. They have a lot of good quality items available off the shelf at great prices. The key is knowing what to buy, and what to stay away from. Although I agree with Eric most of the time, I find the old saying that "you get what you pay for" to be wrong as often as it is correct. Unfortunately there are a lot of examples at hf that indicate otherwise . I agree that there is little or no disdain, more like deserved skepticism. It's prolific around here, I think, because it's more often true in regards to tools.

That motor is an example of one of their products that I would stay away from.

I just traded a new Baldor c-face tefc motor for some work. I feel like it was a good deal for both of us (although the work that person did went well above my expectations, but that's besides the point). My point is that, as someone else mentioned, the motors are out there. You just have to look hard enough to find one, or maybe luck out in the meantime.

I'm not familiar with your work, but I'll search for it. Perhaps you could work a similar deal, custom work for a motor.

In any case, good luck! :)

Edit- wow, didn't know that you're 16. Your work looks great, but I think you're pricing it low. It's hard to tell, but if I'm seeing the pics right I'd say you are doing really well. Did you get in on that upcoming Blade issue featuring young makers? I'd definitely contact them if not, then price your knives accordingly. That's just one man's opinion.
 
Last edited:
I hadn't checked out the Blade issue young makers feature before but I sure will now! I keep a look out on craigslist to see if a good deal comes along. I might try the machine shop near my house and see if they have anything they're not using.
 
beaster456 said:
I hadn't checked out the Blade issue young makers feature before but I sure will now! I keep a look out on craigslist to see if a good deal comes along. I might try the machine shop near my house and see if they have anything they're not using.
Click to expand...

It hasn't come out yet. They are doing the article, and it will include at least two of the younger makers here on this forum. Id call and see if it's too late to be included.
 
Strigamort said:
It hasn't come out yet. They are doing the article, and it will include at least two of the younger makers here on this forum. Id call and see if it's too late to be included.
Click to expand...
Would you happen to knowho to contact? I found an email and emailed them but I couldn't find a number to call
 
I don't actually. I've never written for Blade, nor do I have any contacts. I know that Joe Kirtzman is the man around there though. I probably should have said to email instead of call. They do have a contact phone number on their website for the advertising department. You could try that number and see if they can forward you to editorial.

Good luck. I know I'm looking forward to the article. :)
 
Last edited:
Well I got in contact with him and he said there's a chance I can make it in. Thanks for the heads up on that, I'm glad I could get in on it before it was published
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top