For few years, I was looking for an affordable power feed on my mill. I had several discussions with friends as how to power the table with low cost device but strong enough to drive the table and be able to last. An idea came out : using a truck wiper motor!!! It is designed to work hard, continuously and built to last. The 12v operating voltage seems to be the only problem. It could be overcome by using car or boat battery, battery charger or any power supply strong enough to maintain voltage and amperage requested.

I went to a local truck dealer and ask if any wiper motor available to make the test as explained to the service manager. I was told that many wiper motors are renewed for an internal problem such as not stopping at the right position when stopped or not working on low speed but in some cases the motor itself is in perfect condition. I was given one of them. On mine, the wiper did not « park » at the right position when stopped but the motor ran perfect. So I decided to make the test with an adaptor I have made for the test as shown below.

First thing first, here is my mill original left hand handle removed for the test.

 

Here how I received the wiper motor assembly as given to me by the truck dealer and modifications I made to to perform the test. All unnecessary wires were removed, and hole drilled on the shaft to lock the adaptor show

n after these photos.

 

The next step was to make an adaptor to conduct a primary test as to find out if the motor would be strong enough to drive the table. You should have seen me with my large smile ; IT IS WORKING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The adaptor  was threaded in to be screwed on the shaft and lock with a nail. Also you see my temporary power feed (boat battery). I made a test with a battery charger formerly modified with a bridge instead of single diode and the current draw was 10-12 amp for 1 sec and about 3 amp after.

 

Next was to made a mill adaptor to be able to install permanently the motor and install the motor on the table.

 

The motor is now installed on the mill table.

 

Nest steps would be to install a PWM controller and design a cover to protect motor mechanism from metal chips.

I encourage all guys working on this project to better it and share there findings. Soon the project will be pushed further, I will let you know the progress. I also apologize for my poor English . I hope you will understand the project. Any comment or question, feel free to ask.

 

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