Swapping a Bigger Motor into my Planer. How Hard Could That Be?

A lot of comments regarding losing torque because Mat used the 1800 RPM motor instead of the 3600 RPM motor. I've done the math and the math proves that the speed and torque at the cutting head is the same no matter which 5 HP motor you use. I've simplified things just a little by using a 1:2 pulley ratio for the 1800 RPM motor and a 1:1 pulley ratio for a 3600 RPM motor, both resulting in 3600 RPM at the cutter. Notice from the math below that with either motor the cutting head speed and torque are identical. This is because the 5 HP, 1800 RPM motor produces twice the torque compared to the 5 HP, 3600 RPM motor. The formula for torque for a given HP is Torque=(HPx5252)/RPM. By the time you get to the cutting head, the torque and RPM are the same. 5 HP, 1800 rpm Motor: Torque at motor shaft: Torque=(HPx5252)/RPM Torque at motor shaft = (5 HP x 5252)/1800 RPM Torque at motor shaft = 14.6 Ft-lbs Ratio: 1:2 **RPM at cutter = 1800 motor RPM x ratio = 3600 RPM **Torque at cutter = 14.6 Ft-lbs / ratio = 7.3 ft-lbs 5 HP, 3600 rpm Motor: Torque at motor shaft: Torque=(HPx5252)/RPM Torque at motor shaft = (5 HP x 5252)/3600 RPM Torque at motor shaft = 7.3 Ft-lbs Ratio: 1:1 **RPM at cutter = 3600 motor RPM x ratio = 3600 RPM **Torque at cutter = 7.3 Ft-lbs / ratio = 7.3 ft-lbs

I love the addition of "Well, I've already replaced damn near everything on it. Might as well give it a new paint job with custom decals!"

One of the reasons I like Matt and his channel so much is that he’s not afraid to tackle any problem or skill, be it woodworking, carpentry, mechanical, electrical, flooring/tile, using light to medium heavy machinery, etc. You name it, and Matt has the Nads to tackle it. 👍👍

As a kid back in the 70's, I worked at a shop that made massive custom wood doors, tables, parts for yachts, you name it. If it was too big for anyone else, we did it. The shop had a 50" in the clear double sided thickness planer with shaping blades. Solid cast made by a T-rex or something. Mounted to what looked like ten coil springs from a one ton truck to the floor. It was well balanced but when it fired up it felt like the building moved. It would probably cost a million bucks to have one made today. Two weeks on the job I was watching a guy with years of working at that shop. One second he had two arms, the next he only had one. Ripped clean from the shoulder. Not near as much blood as you would think there would be. Poor SOB never passed out. I said screw it and went into AC/H&V. Aw the good ole days.

As a UK joiner/woodworker, I thoroughly approve of the ‘thicknesser’ badge😂 Great build and really enjoyed the whole process. Nice one

Matt, sorry it was so hard for you, but I have to admit that I love the gritty reality of your "Oops! It doesn't fit!" Seriously, real world projects of this sort ALWAYS have surprises and watching you work through your surprises is both educational and reassuring. "It's not just me!" Right?

The magic clap resulting in a new paint job was hilarious. Well done. Looks great.

Matt, it great that you show how real life is doing a project! You just have to MAKE IT WORK! This is why I've been watching you for years...

Why does it feel like this is how every "free" used tool, appliance, etc. works out? Several hours and a couple hundred bucks later, you got your free used item.

Wow, what an adventure! Fun to read all the happy comments, the new paint job is killer!

I've worked a thousand places in my life and been around those same motors my entire life and this is the only time anybody's ever showed me how they worked

Personally, I like that red much better than the original green. The motor swap should also make a huge difference in the power consumption as well. Very educational and entertaining.

This would have been a great opportunity to do a joint venture with Jeremy Fielding. I love learning new things.

That was a fun journey, thanks for taking us along. Kind of surprised you didn't use the forks to help get the motor in place. 😁 Thanks for sharing!

Another great job Matthew. Impressed and entertained who could ask for more. Well done 👍

TOP NOTCH "side project"... (remanufacturing a very important industrial machine)! Very happy you did the paint and decals. Great work as always!

Great job. Love the new paint color and especially the labeling and the 5HP, you don’t want to do all that work and not let everyone know it’s a five HP motor!!😊

Nice job! You really went all-out on that red paint makeover for the planer (and those "factory" looking labels/placards).

I really was impressed how you thought and effected the changes you had to make through. I personally learnt a lot. Thank you Mat 🇿🇦

Great video, this is a massive project to take on for me with limited metal works and no welding experience as of yet. I love the color change, pretty cool!