The motor I use for both applying and drying guide wrap finish finally gave out on me and I need to replace it. It turned at about 38 RPM which seemed to do the job - but then again, it's the only one I've ever used and I'm not that experienced. When I started looking for a replacement motor from the verious rod building supply vendors I become immediadely overwhelmed by the variations in motor speed that are available. In delving into the issue further, I'm learning that a faster speed - say 22RPM is better for thread finish application and a slower speed - say 4RPM is better for drying. Can someone out there help lead me in the right direction? Is there a "happy medium" turning speed that will provide a good quality thread coating? Does the low RPM drying speed make that big a difference in the final look of the finished wrap? Thanks,

PS - Any suggestions you can make on a motor and source would be appreciated.

Ken

Ken, i use a rotisserie motor off a old grill. Work fine

18 RPM is an excellent all around drying motor speed. It tends to work well with just about any finish viscosity.

I don't use one, particularly for applying finish, but many do. Ralph O'Quinn uses a 200 RPM speed for applying finish with a spatula. Obviously, you wouldn't want to dry at that speed. I suspect most turn by hand for applying the finish, and then switch over to a drying motor from there.

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I have 2 driers and they both work just fine for application and drying. One is 18rpm and the other is 36rpm. I use the 36 rpm most of the time because I like to apply finish with the drier turning. When I have 2 rods or need to do separate pieces at the same time, I use both. The 36 rpm helps me get better lines. It doesn't cause uneven finish or any other problems even with light build finish. I purchased both motors from an @#$%& website for very cheap and they run smooth and true.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Tom Is absoolutely right!! 18 rpm's is without a doubt the best speed for drying and if you wish to use it for applying finish it would work admirably .

Ken Unhide your Email

Ken,
The best solution is to use a variable speed motor - one that runs from 0 to 50 rpm.
Then, set the dial to the dryer speed motor that works best for you.

Hundreds of thousands of rods have been dried at speeds ranging from 4 - 10 rpm.

4 rpm is about as slow as you want and when you get above 15 rpm, it is possible to start slinging finish and start to cause finish footballs to form.

But different finish can work with different speeds.

If you get a dc gear motor and a variable power supply, you can set the speed to what ever you want.


For example:
[www.surpluscenter.com]

If you power this motor with 24 volts dc, you will turn at 16 rpm.
If you power the motor with 12 volts dc, you will turn at 8 rpm.

If you power the motor at 6 volts dc you will turn at 4 rpm.

Good luck
Roger



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2013 10:36PM by roger wilson.

I used an old rotisserie motor that runs 2rpm.... Works well for me... never had an issue

Ken

I am fortunate to have a variable speed dc motor (salvage from a water treatment plant) that will give me speeds from about 6rpm to 100rpm. I dry at the slowest possible speed i can dial in, and apply finish at somewhat faster speeds, maybe 30-60rpm. The slow drying speed works well for me.

Rog