15 replies to this topic

[havlicek]

     I got the call to do another of these.  Here's the starting motor:

 

    Opening the thing up gets you these bits.  A long form factor Mabuchi, a perfectly usable stack with powder coat and all, and an "end bell/cap" thing:



     Inside the can, there's a nice strong set of ceramic magnets, up to what's in similar slot car motors...just a lot longer!



...time to get busy!

[havlicek]

     With the motor disassembled, I took it over to the mill to start making some chips.  First thing was to get rid of the "extruded" bushing carrier deal after popping-out the factory oilite.

 

     Getting down to it, I take the business end of the can down to about flush.  Because the original extruded part that the bushing had been pressed-into is tapered, the result of milling it down is a hole that's over 5mm.  No worries, I'll take care of that later-on.



     Flipping the can over, I can now get rid of the tiny notches I created by grinding off the end bell tabs and have everything squared-up.



     Last thing on the mill is to cut out some "holes", so this bad boy can breathe.  How big and what kind of holes?  Something like these ones:

[havlicek]

    Just a couple of details left to take care of on the can.  First is to take a taper ream to the bushing hole that was left as an oversize 5mm from milling down the metal pocket the factory oilite rode in.  Carefully making sure not to go "over", I reamed it to 6mm and installed a bearing.



     While the bearing epoxy is curing in the oven, I got into the end bell, first taking it apart and tossing the oilite.  I drilled tiny holes in the end bell around the bushing pocket, and installed a fresh oilite with lo-vis epoxy to "key" it in place...then it went into the oven also.  While all that was curing, I flattened the hardware, cut additional clearance between the hoods and deburred everything. 

  When it all was done cooking, I assembled the end bell with buttonhead screws and drilled the can to match the end bell's mounting holes (*still a real PITA).



     Hey!  The can is ready for paint.  A coat of "anodized blue" oughtta look nice I figure!  It's been a haul getting from stock to this point.



     I can finally install the magnets with some epoxy and then build and space an arm for winding...whew!

    

[havlicek]

I went a little warmer on this one and did a #28 wind.  After the first one, I feel pretty confident that this should still be a 'good fit" for the setup.

 

All snuggled-up in the setup to check for "surprises" and all is good.  It's off for balance/grind

[Kim Lander]

very nice John.

[havlicek]

Thanks Kim!

[Geary Carrier]

Somebody is gonna have fun with this one...

[Eddie Fleming]

Looks like someone used Photoshop and stretched the can.

 

very cool motor.

[havlicek]

Thanks Eddie...it IS a pretty weird thing alright. 

[olescratch]

WoW!  I could see using one of these combined with a body from Gene to create a really nice Thingie.  You can really take these things to another level!  They also seem to be a pretty good fit for replacing the motors in BRM cars! 

[Alchemist]

Hi John,

 

I really do enjoy, value, and appreciate it, when you provide photo details with explanations on each and every "motor build thread" you share!

 

May I ask, do you ever retain bronze bushings instead of tossing them - even putting better quality oilite bushings?

 

I've always been a fan of the FK180 motors and it seems like they are beginning to gain even more popularity because of your "motor tech".

 

I'm looking forward to hear how this runs on the "dyno".

 

Thank you John!

 

Ernie

[slotbaker]

That looks very cool, and has potential to be a tourqe monster.

[havlicek]

Thanks for looking in guys.

May I ask, do you ever retain bronze bushings instead of tossing them - even putting better quality oilite bushings?

 
Hi Ernie.  These motors (*as do the Chinese slot car motors) come with a sintered metal ("oilite") bushing/bearing that's perfectly fine, and I do sometimes keep them.  The metal they're made from has some "yellow metal" content (copper/brass/bronze whatever), but it also has some iron content because they are magnetic...just like the slot car motor bushings.  They probably went to this "formula" because iron would increase the hardness and make them longer-lasting.  They are not bronze though.  Anyway, while they will wear longer than non-ferrous bushings, they can cause shaft wear if not aligned and allowed to run dry.  I do use them often, but I do my best to make sure they're not slightly off, and that they're "charged" (*oiled) when I send a motor out.  The way I see it, either a shaft can get worn or a bushing can...neither is good, but a motor will run just as well with any bushing as it will with a bearing.  ***It's just that bearings are more forgiving of a little misalignment than bushings are.  With a bushing, things have to be REALLY straight!
 

I've always been a fan of the FK180 motors and it seems like they are beginning to gain even more popularity because of your "motor tech".

 
They are cool motors alright Ernie, although they can ONLY go "inline".  I wouldn't know how popular they are because I've always just cut them down to "regular" (*around .750") length.  If they're getting more popular now, it sure can't be because of anything I've done! 
 

That looks very cool, and has potential to be a torque monster.

 
Thanks Steve.  I'm pretty sure that there'll be good torque and revs here.  The #29 wind version I did a little while ago sounded and "felt" impressive on my power supply.  Building a chassis that works for the longer can, and then gearing it to take advantage of what the motor can do is where the real magic happens!

[Alchemist]

Hi John,

 

Thank you for the info.

 

they can ONLY go "inline". 

 

I prefer my cars "inline" since that is what I grew up with.

 

I have seen 1/32 scale slot cars with an FK180 anglewinder setup - which looks very interesting, and I believe they are the lower rpm motor.

 

I can't remember the brand.

 

But I prefer the 1/24 scale cars.

 

Thanks again John!

 

Ernie

[Mark Johnson]

those magnets look like just the ticket for monogram x-88 motors .

[havlicek]

those magnets look like just the ticket for monogram x-88 motors .

 

Hi Mark,

     Isn't that an FJ13UO?  If so, these would be way too long.