Electric Motors
air compressors, drill presses, table saws, band saws, jointers, shapers and lathes. Over time, these motors wear out and break from millions of rotations during the years of workshop duty. Hopefully, this guide will help you find the right electric motor for your workshop needs.
Horsepower and RPM
Electric motors are mainly rated by their horsepower and RPM. Home shops generally use
3450 revolutions per minute.
Enclosures
Electric motors come in two types of enclosures, ODP and TEFC
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Open Drip Proof. These are inexpensive motors that are used for regular applications. These are cheaper because the enclosure is simply made of sheet metal with ventilation holes to allow proper cooling air flow. A fan is situated to allow good airflow through the motor and enclosure. One of the most common problems with workshop motors is the buildup of sawdust inside the enclosure. This is unfortunately common with ODP electric motors, so know what particular application you are using them for. Preferably, these motors should be used away from cutting and sanding boards.
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Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled offers good protection from common hazards that might compromise the function of the motor. TEFC motors are slightly more expensive, but they are dust tight for applications that deal with a lot of sawdust.
Top Sellers
Here are some of the top selling electric motors for workshop applications.
Related Guides
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Workshop and Home Improvement
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Wet Dry Vacuums
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Tools and Hardware
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Workshop Accessories
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Table Saws
