This is how I made a speed controller for the drill in my homemade mini lathe.
Wiring Diagram:
Homemade Drill Lathe:
Twitter:
This is how I made a speed controller for the drill in my homemade mini lathe.
Wiring Diagram:
Homemade Drill Lathe:
Twitter:
Can you plug 2 drills?
nice
I live beyond the grid and have used a rotary dimmer switch to control things like an electric hotplate. I plug it all in to a kilowatt meter so l can precisely dial in how much power it uses, typically 150-550 watts and allows for a much smaller inverter to be used.
Most likely that drill has a universal motor which is a modified brushed DC motor. It will also run on high voltage DC.
Time and labor what do you think it cost you? Looks like you had fun.
Thanks for posting this. It really helped me out.
What you didn’t show it in action why even make a video if you’re not gonna show the results
Good day. Can I also use this dimmer on a hair dryer that I am using on my coal forge for controlling the fan speed , if it works on the drill it should work on the hair dryer, right?
Great idea !
CAUTION: Working with AC/ mains can kill. Double check your wiring three times before even thinking about it. If you hook up improperly you'll probably short out the dimmer (triac),, and trip your home's circuit breaker or fuse (assuming they work – if not get ready for fireworks)!
Thumbs up if you do it right, this is a good Makify project!
Just made one and it works! Wish it went even slower though, anybody got an idea for adjustable all the way down to stopped?
Can these be added to a vintage Dunlap 1/4HP split phase 60 cycle / 5 amp electric motor?
Induction (brushless) motors don't work okay with light dimmers. That's it.
That was great. It inspired me to try, but no such success. I tried 2 different dimmers, and it would turn unit on and off, but absolutely no speed control, or light dimness. Not sure what I did wrong… bummer
It doesn't look like it works. You just fired it up to top speed and then turned it off. Where was the speed control? The variable speed control?
I just tried with my drill and it didn't work…
A common lamp dimmer will control the speed of REPULSION MOTORS (AC motors which use brushes) They can also be used for DC motors if you add a bridge rectifier between the dimmer and the DC motor as long as the motor has brushes. Not for use on brushless DC motors. Also, the common lamp dimmer cannot be used to control the speed of INDUCTION MOTORS such as motors used in most audio turntables, window/ceiling fans induction motors on most shop motors such as drill presses and table saws. However check the current draw of your device and compare it with the wattage rating of the dimmer the rating of the dimmer must exceed the requirements of the motor under a load. 1amp = about 120watt so a common 600watt dimmer will handle about 5amps draw from the motor.
Question: I followed the instructions and the diagram but my dimmer switch is acting as a switch only and is not controlling the speed; just full on or off. I have switched the black wires betweeneach other but have the same effect. I looked up "overlamping" but the dimmer is rated for 600W and my bench grinder is about 510. Thoughts? Thank you.
So basically don’t cut the cord all the way in half. Leave the white intact. Cut the black and one connects to black on dimmer the other black dimmer goes to other half of cut black wire. Cut the green and feed all 3 into a wire nut. Correct?
Good to know this. I want to build a lathe too – been wondering about how to power it – and yes, maybe with a drill. But, something has occurred to me; the motor in my scroll saw is a variable speed, complete with dial similar to a dimmer switch – that plugs into a regular AC outlet like any other corded power tool. Why isn't a motor like that available for lathes or drill presses? Could anyone answer that for me?
too late, oh well whatever
universal motors are usable at multiple speeds, this is WHY drills among other things blenders, etc have a variable speed buttons on them no you're fine it won't (or shouldn't) do anything to the motor
the only thing that should is overvolting it (feeding too much voltage through it) not the opposite, meaning limiting it on what it's already got.
…….Vroooom!!!
corrected: Most dimmers use a TRIAC, which is the exact same way the drill's trigger controls the speed. As long as you don't exceed the dimmer switch's amp/watt rating, it should work great.