What to do with an old washing machine motor??

Runs With Scissors · Jul 3, 2003

Just pulled an old washing machine out of the house here, it's too old an' crappy to even take it to Salvation Army, so I was lookin' to take it all to the dump. Then, comes along my father who suggested pulling the motor and maybe making a grinder out of it...

At this point, he had definitely piqued my interest.

Have any of y'all ever done this? How did ya' do it? and what kinda grinder was it? pretty suitable to knives? any online resources for this kinda project?

Or perhaps I should just make it up as I go....

etp777 · Jul 3, 2003

There are some good posts on this in the shop talk forum, you might try asking there. Also, buy or borrow a copy of Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop. He talks about making his own grinder in there.

Hotrod · Jul 3, 2003

Grinder as stated... Maybe a buffing wheel bench mounted

Or if you really wanted to, a lathe for wood working

Maybe an electric skate board with a car battery strapped on?

PeaceFrog · Jul 3, 2003

As etp777 said, good info about building your own grinder in Wayne Goddards book. If I remember correctly he assumes you have a basic knowledge of motors/electricity. Good luck.

Matches · Jul 3, 2003

I made a buffing wheel from an old motor and it's great for my knives and polishing my briar pipes. For grinding you'd have to fool with making a tool rest and safety shields...unless you want to live dangerously

mete · Jul 3, 2003

I bought, years ago, a shaft with pulleys tool rests,everything except motor which I took from washing machine. Still works fine.

etp777 · Jul 3, 2003

tool rests are for wimps.

Least if we're talking about belt grinders, for regular stone type grinder I use a rest.

John Andrews · Jul 6, 2003

Save that motor! I buy used motors for a buck or two and use them on the above mentioned, and even picked up a like new Baldor 1hp. for $5.00! My Wilton has the same motor, so it will make a cheap replacement, if needed. Those open motors don't last long because of the dust, but they are cheap.

cutty · Jul 6, 2003

You can do alot with it.Speed can be
adjusted with pullies.Never throw away
a motor that works!If you need help
E-Mail me.

Peter Del Raso · Jul 7, 2003

I have had the same washing machine motor driving my 20 inch disk sander for at least 12 years. Great for descaling bar stock or flatening handle slabs. The unit is direct drive straight off the shaft.

Securely attach a large pulley to the shaft, if you're lucky it might have a keyway. Drill half a dozen holes through the outer rim of the pulley, these will eccept the screws that will secure your disk. An off cut of laminated kitchen benchtop is ideal for the disk and the laminate alows for easy cleanup of spray addhesive used to stick your sand paper. Cloth backed paper is best. You can experiment with different grits for different jobs, I use 80 grit for every thing.

You will probably have to start the disk spinning manually before turning on the juice. Fix the motor to a piece of board that you can clamp to your bench. Its a very crude machine but I would be lost without it. For years I have been meaning to build a better one, why?

One last thing, 80 grit really hurts