wiper motor for a milling machine x-axis power feed

[BTL-A4]

I have a Rong-Fu milling machine (fits on a table top, weighs about 600 lbs). The Vevor power feed I bought for the x-axis has died for the last time. I'd like to make one using a wiper motor. Does anyone know of a powerful wiper motor that would work? I'm thinking something from a large SUV, since they have longer arms and need more torque. It doesn't have to go fast, it just needs to have enough torque to move the table with the weight of the vise and the part. The power feeds that I was able to find specs on list anywhere from 450 to 780 lb-ins (50-88 Nm). Wiper motors don't list torque or RPM specs.

Anyone here ever use one for this purpose and have the year, make and model of the wiper motors they used?

Thanks!

 

[WoodsTruck]

The motors I have used for projects were rather dainty, Toyota 4-Runner, and had the gear reduction movement limiter in the gearbox. So, the output shaft only rotates roughly 1/2 turn then changes direction. The shaft has a splined taper to match the wiper arm but is made of rather soft metal. The splines were also not very long so there may be a limiting factor for torque transfer at this point unless you could machine a better interface.

 

[no704]

It’s just a worm gear motor. Lots of sizes available. Maybe check Surplus Center.
There are tons on amazon, I don’t think it would be worth the time to try and fit one from a car.

 

[BTL-A4]

The motors I have used for projects were rather dainty, Toyota 4-Runner, and had the gear reduction movement limiter in the gearbox. So, the output shaft only rotates roughly 1/2 turn then changes direction. The shaft has a splined taper to match the wiper arm but is made of rather soft metal. The splines were also not very long so there may be a limiting factor for torque transfer at this point unless you could machine a better interface.

Thanks. I can machine a better interface. I just need a motor with some power.

It’s just a worm gear motor. Lots of sizes available. Maybe check Surplus Center.
There are tons on amazon, I don’t think it would be worth the time to try and fit one from a car.

I've looked and they don't seem to make one with enough power that's affordable. I thought a wiper motor would be a good alternate.

 

[nadogail]

Thanks. I can machine a better interface. I just need a motor with some power.


I've looked and they don't seem to make one with enough power that's affordable. I thought a wiper motor would be a good alternate.

IMHO, they built those wiper motors just barely strong enough for the job they were designed to do.

 

[no704]

Look on amazon. Actual mill power drive is like $150. Right angle worm drives for $30. How cheap are you looking for?

 

[BTL-A4]

Look on amazon. Actual mill power drive is like $150. Right angle worm drives for $30. How cheap are you looking for?

Got a link? If it's a Vevor, I'll pass; that's what's failed me. I see right angle worm drives, but they don't have enough torque.

I unscientifically measured the torque I thought I needed and got a much lower number than the ratings I was able to find for power feeds for mills. I took a string and hooked it up to a luggage weight scale at one end and the feed handle at the other. I pulled on the handle to feed it while making a 0.030" cut in steel with the set-up and looked at the weight. It took about 5-10 lbs to pull the handle. This is significantly less than the torque ratings for the power feeds. I'm not sure why there is a discrepancy; probably my measurements are off.

I've seen folks make power feeds for smaller mills with the drives available on Amazon, but these are smaller mills. Mine is a Rong-Fu.

One option is to get a motor and use gears to slow it down, but that adds cost.

Another option I've been thinking about is to use the motor and gears from the old power feed. I think the issue is the circuit board has something fried on it. The motor works, but it won't stay on.

 

[WoodsTruck]

I'm not sure what kind of room you have to play with.
What about using a simple corded drill?
Chuck it onto whatever adapter you need and clamp it down. Use a fixed or flexible extension as needed.
Wire up a rheostat to supply the power needed (torque or rpm)
Or figure out a pulsing system so you can apply a short burst of controlled power to get the unit to move small increments.

 

[no704]

No link, just did a very quick search on amazon. I have used a cordless drill a a few times, I use one all the time on my knee. On x I usually just crank.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Got a link? If it's a Vevor, I'll pass; that's what's failed me. I see right angle worm drives, but they don't have enough torque.

I unscientifically measured the torque I thought I needed and got a much lower number than the ratings I was able to find for power feeds for mills. I took a string and hooked it up to a luggage weight scale at one end and the feed handle at the other. I pulled on the handle to feed it while making a 0.030" cut in steel with the set-up and looked at the weight. It took about 5-10 lbs to pull the handle. This is significantly less than the torque ratings for the power feeds. I'm not sure why there is a discrepancy; probably my measurements are off.

I've seen folks make power feeds for smaller mills with the drives available on Amazon, but these are smaller mills. Mine is a Rong-Fu.

One option is to get a motor and use gears to slow it down, but that adds cost.

Another option I've been thinking about is to use the motor and gears from the old power feed. I think the issue is the circuit board has something fried on it. The motor works, but it won't stay on.

I had a Servo brand power feed fail a couple weeks ago. When I took it apart there was a bad connection on one of the solder joints of the circuit board. I soldered it up and put it back to work.

 

[alfadan]

Have you determined what is failing on them? Just curious.

 

[BTL-A4]

I'm not sure what kind of room you have to play with.
What about using a simple corded drill?
Chuck it onto whatever adapter you need and clamp it down. Use a fixed or flexible extension as needed.
Wire up a rheostat to supply the power needed (torque or rpm)
Or figure out a pulsing system so you can apply a short burst of controlled power to get the unit to move small increments.

I have enough room for a full size power feed. In particular the one that does not hang down, but is horizontal.

I could use a drill. I even thought of buying one and taking it apart to make something.

 

[BTL-A4]

I had a Servo brand power feed fail a couple weeks ago. When I took it apart there was a bad connection on one of the solder joints of the circuit board. I soldered it up and put it back to work.

I had a similar issue. I soldered it and got it working again, but something else has broke. I can't tell what it is.

 

[BTL-A4]

Have you determined what is failing on them? Just curious.

I'm pretty sure it's something on the circuit board. That's what failed last time. I was able to solder it, but something else failed. Would it help if I took a photo of the circuit board? Maybe someone with better eyes and more knowledge of this sort of thing than me and figure it out.
I keep an eye out on FB, etc. for motors that might work. Sellers never get back to me. Sigh...

 

[alfadan]

I'm pretty sure it's something on the circuit board. That's what failed last time. I was able to solder it, but something else failed. Would it help if I took a photo of the circuit board? Maybe someone with better eyes and more knowledge of this sort of thing than me and figure it out.
I keep an eye out on FB, etc. for motors that might work. Sellers never get back to me. Sigh...

Unless a trace is burnt or component toasty looking, probably not by just looking at it.
I personally think you'll be money and time ahead to get a better brand of power feed. Maybe Precision Matthews or? if you can't spend for a Servo, if they even make one for the Wrong Fu!

 

[BTL-A4]

Unless a trace is burnt or component toasty looking, probably not by just looking at it.
I personally think you'll be money and time ahead to get a better brand of power feed. Maybe Precision Matthews or? if you can't spend for a Servo, if they even make one for the Wrong Fu!

I'll be time ahead for sure, but I wouldn't mind making one. Seems like a fun project. The other option was to buy a better one; they run about $300 or so. I shoulda bought a good one to begin with! lol.

 

[Beerhippie]

No link, just did a very quick search on amazon. I have used a cordless drill a a few times, I use one all the time on my knee. On x I usually just crank.

OUCH!

If you're looking for a linear lift, those right-angle gear drive motors for an Acme thread are pretty powerful. The little one that does the lift on a treadmill will lift a large person.

 

[no704]

I was also very Leary of this. 20v dewalt drill on low speed and a $30 adapter socket works surprisingly well.

 

[OccupantRJ]

An even better drill solution is a right angle battery drill with the proper knee drive adapter piece. Much easier to propel things with a little leverage off to the side. I used mine for about week recently until the new Z axis power drive arrived.
My Bridgeport mill has a Servo brand drive on the X axis, but I was not paying $1,000 for another one for the Z axis for hobby use at 72 yrs old. I bought a GPOAS Chinese knockoff for $140 to see how it survives. Some have straight bevel gears and some have spiral cut bevel gears. This one has spiral type. I have used it for the last four days off and on and so far, so good.
Some of the drives are 150 in lbs torque. I recommend the 450 in lb models. A Z axis knee on a full size mill needs it. Keep some way oil on the machine ways, as one should anyway.

 

[Jay H 237]

Instead of a wiper motor a van door motor would be a bit better with more torque.