Has anyone tried to assemble an equivalent to the 200rpm Flexcoat Finish motor?
I would rather not use a power wrapper and I also don't want to pay $450 for the Flexcoat model.

Todd,
I use a 500 rpm dc gear motor that is hooked to a 0-30 volt dc power supply.
The power supply is foot controlled, and will adjust the drying motor from 0-500 rpm.

Another simple option is to pick up a surplus cordless drill that has a speed of at least 300 rpm.

You can use a variable dc power supply to vary the voltage to the motor from 0 - what ever is the rated voltage of the drill.

Strip the gear down to the motor and gear box, if free standing, or simply fabricate a mount to hold the drill as it currently is built. Then, simply chuck a solid piece of rod stock in the drill chuck, put the rod stock in the bott of the rod, before the butt cap is attached.

Then, vary the speed of the motor and direction from 0 to what ever you want.

You should be able to find a surplus drill for $5, and a variable power supply for $10. Then, use parts laying around the garage to build a stand to hold the drill motor, and or gear motor if you decide to go the drill motor route.

Total cost - about $20.

Take care
Roger

p.s.
Most drills have relatively noisy gear trains. So you will have to put up with the gear noise if you go this route.

On the other hand, small dc gear motors are virtually noisless and you won't hear anything from the motors if you go this route.

I am not sure if you can, but when Custom Tackle Supply was around, Bob was able to get me just the motor and the chuck from Flexcoat. I forget what the price was, but it was less than buying the complete unit since I was going to put that motor assembly on top of my rod lathe and use the rods supports from it to hold the rod. You might want to check with him at Mudhole and see what they can do.

Todd,

A great place to find turning motors for a fraction of the cost is at trift stores. Old singer or brother sewing machines have great motoers and in many cases the same exact motors that the mid range power wrappers come with. I have two spare motors that I picked up from thrift stores for $12.00 and $25.00. They are both virtually in new condition. Depending on the kind of base you are going to use they are very easy to build. Any questions let me know.

Tight lines,

JH

Todd,

I'm a bone head. I just realized that you were talking about a finishing motor not a power wrapper, my bad.

JH