Shop-Built Speed Reducer for Clutch Motor.

[BlueFlamingo]

I have an old REX 11-155r WF machine and after doing everything slow it down( 1 1/2 " pulley, extending motor arm etc)  I decided to try and build my own version of a Speed Reducer.  I did and it works. Great.  Made exclusively from plywood and Pine.  I've made a few others and they were made Totally from MDF and work just as well.  I also used a 10" x 1/2" bolt for the shaft and it worked just fine too.  That cut the costs to under $10 bucks.  I used 2- 1/2" bore bearings, a 12" piece of 1/2" shafting(cut down to 9") 2- 1/4" bolts.  Total costs...$15 bucks.  the Ones Online costs $225.00  It works GREAT!!!  Slows the machine to 1/2 speed and makes it sooooo much easier to use.  A bigger diameter pulley would slow it down even more.  Mine is 8" with at 2 1/2" on the side going to machine.  So if any of you want to calculate the reduction it's 1 1/2" to 10" then 2 1/2" to the Machine.  Not sure what it is  Maybe 4 ".    Here's a pic of what I made.



I made up some rudimentary plans and instructions if anyone's interested.  Send me and email and I send them along. Super easy to build  Takes about 4 hours shop time.  Band Saw,  Table Saw, Router and Drill Press

[SteveA]

That looks beyond beginning woodworking and I guess you turned the pulley round using the drill press ?  Nice work - and satisfying I'm sure. Patent Time !
I have a clutch motor - old as the hills and it sews from zero to full out as easy as pie. Always in full control.   I often wonder if my old motor goes will I upgrade to the servo type motor.  I don't mind working slower with the clutch motor but those servo motors are tempting
SA

[BlueFlamingo]

I made the 8" circle with a rudimentary circle cutting jig on the bandsaw...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uem-9Wz1Dt8    then cut the groove in it on the router table, but you can do it all at the same time on a table saw with a simple jig...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDRyH_ZG314 
Or on the router table...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmGXE8dmn2g 

The rest is done on the Table Saw and Drill press.  It is Really pretty basic stuff.  Like I said,  I drew up some plans if anyone's interested.  Hey,  If I can build it I'm pretty sure anyone with basic skills, can build one too.

[Darren Henry]

So if any of you want to calculate the reduction it's 1 1/2" to 10" then 2 1/2" to the Machine.  Not sure what it is  Maybe 4 ".

Just to prove how badly I want to postpone tonight's domestics I will do the math;

The circumference of the large pulley is 31.1429 ". The smaller pulley has a diameter of 7.8573". Net reduction would be 3.9636:1. Simply comparing the diameters would give the same result---but kill a lot less time. grin.