Curious if there’s a CNC/Printer related afterlife for washing machines fortunate enough to be owned by salvage biased Makers? Betting some folks here have scavenged, or plan to, and repurposed parts for other projects?
Discovered a drum crack that doesn’t seem worth JB welding, again. So, am curious what opportunities lie ahead for parts of a leaky 18yr old washer appliance like this?
I’ve seen the drum used as a fire pit.
If you figure out how it’s controlled the motor would be good for a rock tumbler or paint stirrer.
I think washer motors are what Matthias Wandel harvests for his machine builds. Maybe Jeremy Fielding also.
There are a whole range of reasons why the motors are difficult to reuse, mostly because…I’ve forgotten. The old style non computerised controls were a snack the new ones, need a degree in electronics.
But the drum makes a nice fire pit.
LOL. Tell me you’re a Canadian without telling me you’re a Canadian.
I’ve seen videos of several people use washing machine motors as turbines in micro hydroelectric projects. I watched JunkyardDigs on YouTube use the sheet metal to replace the floors in an old rusty pickup truck this weekend.
We finally got rid of our washer dryer that we bought in college. I had fixed each of them several times, but after the last repair, I noticed a lot of stuff in the washer that was broken beyond replacing most of it.
I saved the motors. They have more wires that I expected, and I haven’t tried to start them but I saved them anyway.
Obviously it’s an opportunity to learn to weld.
I’ve always wanted a reason to get a welder.
Wasnt one if the 1 hour bike world records done on a bike with a washing machine bearing for the crank?
That made me look it up!
The washer motors may be 3 phase - that, and being waterproof, are what make them desirable for the micro hydro projects.
Is that stainless steel inside. How about a big coffee roaster.
I’ve got one to strip of parts as well! From the previous one I took motor + belt + huge pulley, with the idea I will make myself belt saw, or any other useful tool. I took 2 12v valves (could be used for watering systems, or drink water for animals? Or to hunt down neighbor’s cat with motion sensor and this valve! (it would probably get my own cat wet as well… I mean - it would be still funny, no?)
Bolt it to a pallet. Turn it on spin as fast as it will go. Throw a cinder block in it. Watch it boogie.
I had mine go to hose end with beach towels not long ago
