Gear Motor??

2/7/21, 10:59 PM #1

Tom Norton
Guest

Gear Motor??

Tom Norton

Wondering if anyone is familiar with DC gear motors and would be willing to help me understand more??

Thanks!

Re: Gear Motor??

2/8/21, 3:36 PM #2

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana
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1,162 posts

Registered: 2/6/10

Re: Gear Motor??

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana

Wow, that kind of like asking about vehicle motors. As an Engineer I have used many various types of Gear drive motors. They are available in just about any horsepower you can imagine. Typically we used DC Bodine Gear motors with Minarik controllers for variable speed -reversible applications in Industrial use.

They are available in various voltages - both AC and DC. They are also available as a straight (inline) unit and a right angle drive. Normally the Right angle drive is used when the output shaft turns slowly (higher gear ratio). Without knowing your application I can't really give you much info. Please clarify what you want to know and I will try to help!

I did look at the Bodine lineup (been about 25 years since I designed machinery) and they now have their own variable controllers.

Industrial gear motors with speed controllers are pretty expensive - easily spend $750 - $1K. 120V Fixed speeds are much less expensive unless you get into high HP units. DC (or variable speed AC) are available with brushless, brush type, stepper motor, or AC induction motors.

Typically I would try to purchase a unit with the max shaft output speed you want at about 90%-95% of the gearbox max speed. (this allows for a smaller motor and the motor cools better when near max RPM>

- - -

I am 68 - be 69 in May 2010, have been retired about 4 years from Emerson Electric where I worked as a Engineer for about 40 years. Woodworking is my hobby, I refuse to do any woodworking for money as I am afraid it would become another job. I am very lucky to have a great woodworking shop. My son's and friends helped build it a couple years before I retired. It is a 30 X 30 shop with a 30 X 10 upstairs storage room, heated and air conditioned. I saved and purchased much of my equipment before I retired. I am busier now than when I worked, but seem to get little done :~>. I helped my son remodel his home, made all the woodwork from rough white oak, finished the vanity (from locust), lower kitchen cabinets (cherry) built cedar lined oak chest for my DIL, built a bathroom for my best friend and in process of building storage cabinets for SWMBO.

Re: Gear Motor??

2/8/21, 10:18 PM #3

Tom Norton
Guest

Re: Gear Motor??

Tom Norton

Larry,I see there is quite va bit available!!

I just purchased a used one off eBay. I am converting my Inca Jointer/Planer to a variable speed direct drive. Next up is my speed. The Bodine is a DC unit so I be am looking at a Dart Controller. I have f a Yahoo group for Inca Tools where a few people have done conversions.

So I am on my way!

Re: Gear Motor??

2/8/21, 11:57 PM #4

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana
Member
Offline
1,162 posts

Registered: 2/6/10

Re: Gear Motor??

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana

Glad to hear you solved your problem. I have never used "Dart" controllers but they sound like a USA made unit. I see Grainger carries them.

If you are going to buy new and have a NAPA automotive store near, you may want to see if they will order it for you at a discount. The local NAPA has a commercial account and will purchase it at their price (I think 30% off) and sell it to you with a smaller mark up.

- - -

I am 68 - be 69 in May 2010, have been retired about 4 years from Emerson Electric where I worked as a Engineer for about 40 years. Woodworking is my hobby, I refuse to do any woodworking for money as I am afraid it would become another job. I am very lucky to have a great woodworking shop. My son's and friends helped build it a couple years before I retired. It is a 30 X 30 shop with a 30 X 10 upstairs storage room, heated and air conditioned. I saved and purchased much of my equipment before I retired. I am busier now than when I worked, but seem to get little done :~>. I helped my son remodel his home, made all the woodwork from rough white oak, finished the vanity (from locust), lower kitchen cabinets (cherry) built cedar lined oak chest for my DIL, built a bathroom for my best friend and in process of building storage cabinets for SWMBO.

Gear Motor??

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