Motor RPM vs. pulleys

[Jeff Hallam]

I may need to replace the motor on my jointer, and i'm wondering, since price difference is negligible, should I go with a base RPM of 1750 or 3450? Either way I will use the pulley sizes to get the right speed at the cutterhead.

So is there an advantage to having a lower base RPM (i.e. 1750)?

Thanks for the help.

Jeff

[Pete Bradley]

There's no significant advantage power or torque-wise. The problem you may have with a 1750 RPM motor on a jointer is that you'll need a big pulley at the motor (that may not fit) and/or a very small one at the cutterhead (that may not have as much radius as the belt would like). You've got a set of pulleys now, I'd go with a direct replacement.

Pete

[Steve Peterson]

I have also heard that 3450 RPM motors are also longer lasting since they have better cooling.

Steve