 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-09-10 13:49
I thought about high-jacking Klook's thread ("Odd Tech Question...") about his bench motor, but perhaps it's best to start a new one.
I won't be taking any business away from techs (that's for sure at age 73); however, I think I'd like to have a bench motor.
Most of the ones I've looked at are very pricey, so much so that I might just settle for an "electric drill holder" that I can clamp to my workbench for the few times I'd ever need one. But for now, can you point me out to an acceptable bench motor that's fairly inexpensive?
I found this "general purpose motor" on Harbor Freight's website, but it may not be what I'd want for possible working on an old Bundy.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-hp-general-purpose-electric-motor-67839.html
CarlT
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-09-10 14:03
I think you'll want variable speeds, particularly very slow speeds. I don't see anything about that on the Harbor Freight site.
Also, you'll need a fair amount of additional equipment. You'll probably be better off with a small lathe.
Again, the best source for expert advice is the Yahoo Musical Instrument Technician board.
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2011-09-10 14:05)
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-09-10 14:20
Ken, I will sign up for that website.
Also, I hadn't much thought of a small lathe; however, one of my hobbies is woodworking, so that would give me a great excuse to buy a mini-lathe!!
Thanks,
CarlT
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-09-10 14:55
I have a handheld dremel-like tool for, uhm, invasive work, and I have a table clamp for my electric drill when I need to buff keys.
However, it must be said, that I only rarely use the Dremeloid and nearly never needed the electric drill. Sure, work is accomplished a lot faster when one uses a power tool. On the other hand, so are mishaps. Wheeeez! punctured is the bore!
So, doing repairs as a hobby I can take whatever time I want (the goal of a hobby is not to finish faster, now is it), and often the time needed to hand-buff a key or tinkering with some stubborn adjustment leaves room to ponder about the course of the world or the lack of beer at arm's reach.
Having been taught at operating large Schaublin lathes I still occasionally fancy the acquisition of a watchmaker's lathe. One of those items on my eternal wish list (and, incidentally, on Dah Missus' ignore list)...
--
Ben
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-09-10 18:49
I'm reminded that Kalmen Opperman seldom used power tools. His bore adjustments to mouthpieces and barrels were in thousandths and half-thousands of an inch, and he said he needed the feedback and slow speed of a hand tool to control what he was doing. The only time I saw him use power tools was for the boring of a barrel blank to semi-finished state, the initial undercutting of tone holes (with a power drill) and taking down a new cork (on a lathe).
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2011-09-10 18:51)
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-09-10 19:05
My husband I have acquired motors for nothing on trash pickup day. If we spot a junked clothes washing machine at the curb next to a garbage can, we take the motor. Sometimes the washing machine got kicked to the curb because of a fried motor, but much more often, something else must have gone wrong with the machines, because their motors work just fine. Junk yards are great hunting grounds for motors. Dumpster-diving at community waste facilities is another good way to get motors.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
Post Edited (2011-09-10 19:07)
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-09-10 23:48
Here's the link to the instrument repair tech Yahoo Group.
They recently had a bench motor discussion. Search there
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/musical_instrument_technician/
Bob Phillips
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-09-11 05:16
I would consider a mini lathe. I don't know what you consider expensive or cheap but I have a Sherline mini lathe (the longer one). It does pretty much everything a bench motor can do and definitely everything I would need a bench motor to do, plus a lot more. So I don't have a bench motor and don't need one.
>> the goal of a hobby is not to finish faster, now is it <<
Finishing slower is great for a hobby, you have more time for it that way 
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-09-11 06:53
A small lathe might be a good investment. From what I have seen most new bench motors sell in the $500-$600 range. For this amount of money you can find some pretty good small metal lathes if you're buying used (and some not-so-good ones if you're buying new).
Realistically for most instrument repair work you probably only need something a bit larger than a watchmaker's lathe (a new Sherline or Taig would be fine). However, one thing you will find however is that the really small machines sell at a significant premium. Due to this fact you may want to consider a larger 9"-12" lathe as these can usually be purchased used for around the same price but are infinitely more capable (note that this only applies to vintage American and European lathes, not the Chinese junk lathes currently flooding the market).
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