I am building a billiard ball polisher. All it takes is some type of motor that will turn a turntable covered with carpet. Google how to build a billiard ball polisher. I have an old right angle 7" grinder I never use that would work. Can I safely put a dimmer on this to vary the speed and slow it down?
Steve
no. it most probably has a universal motor and this will burn it up.
You really need an AC motor speed control. Here are three sold by W.W. Grainger:
On 5/9/2011 10:04 AM chaniarts spake thus:
Wrong. If it *does* have a "universal" (i.e., shunt-wired AC/DC motor w/brushes), then a dimmer *will* work as a speed control. That's essentially what variable-speed power tools use.
I think you'd be better off buying a $20 orbital polisher from HF. [or a $35 one from Amazon or Walmart]
Jim
Wrong. David Nebenzahl is 100% right.
Safely, probably yes; vary the speed, no.
I have since found a brand new 1/3 hp electric motor in my shop that will work perfectly with a little reduction.
hmmmmmmm. I wonder what else is out there ....................
Steve
On 5/9/2011 2:29 PM hr(bob) snipped-for-privacy@att.net spake thus:
Of course I am! Thanks for pointing it out.
On 5/9/2011 4:29 PM Steve B spake thus:
Well, whoa, wait a minute there, pal. You mean a regular induction motor, like you'd find on a bench grinder, jig saw, that type of stationary power tool? Sorry, you can't vary its speed with a dimmer. That only works on "universal"-type motors (electric drills, etc.). You know, the kind of motor that has brushes, sparks and all that.
I would try it with a 2000 w dimmer, I don know if a regular dimmer will work or even last with the startup surge but maybe it will. If it doesnt work you know.
Why would you need to polish billard balls? You run a pool hall? Fwiw, I use a vibrating bullet casing polisher to polish pinballs and small pinball parts. It was pretty cheap.
It WILL slow it down. Some dimmers will take the counter EMF from the brushed motor, some won't - so the "safely" part is a mabee. Won't hurt the grinder, either way
I've never polished my balls, and they work perfectly!
Get an old record player from a garage sale or online auction for a couple bucks. A grinder will probably be too fast anyhow, even if you can reduce the speed.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.