Can I run a Power Drill on a Dimmer Switch?

[Tom Blevins]

I have an old electric power drill that I would like to re-purpose to lower a projection screen. Could I put said drill on a standard dimmer switch so that I could lower it slow or fast?
-Tom

[EschewObfuscation]

Yes, but don't be surprised if the dimmer makes some electrical noise. Also, don't expect a *wide* available range of speeds, I'd guess maybe 2:1 or 3:1 max range. But it should work. (Drills use universal motors, not induction, which is why you should be able to get away with it.)

[Keith Rogers]

I was in menards recently and noticed a speed controller built to control any universal motor like your drill.  It was around $10 I think but closest online item I can find like it is this listing for $20.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools-accessories/routers-accessories/router-speed-control/p-1444421810442-c-10087.htm?tid=-8308337139772025423

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[Andrew Ricke]

Those things allegedly loose the torque at the lower speeds to use for the router they're sold for. But may be fine for just drop screen anyway.

What are you using to do the up/down control?  I saw a cool trick with 3-way switches and string work and do automatic limit stopping.

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[George Fetters]

Is it cordless or wired.

On Wed, Mar 9, 2016 at 11:10 AM, Tom Blevins <topazc...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have an old electric power drill that I would like to re-purpose to lower a projection screen. Could I put said drill on a standard dimmer switch so that I could lower it slow or fast?
-Tom

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[George Fetters]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1EsMwk2E5c

[George Fetters]

Bottom line the motor has to have brushes.  You can get a router speed controller from Harbor Freight for about $20.  Note: I tried this with my lathe and it did not work because it has a brushless motor.  Not sure what a dimmer would cost but it would probably be cheaper.

[Andrew Ricke]

Nobody has old brushless power drills for scrap projects yet!  Those things last way longer. 

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[Morganism]

Depending on how much hacking you want to do, the trigger is some sort of variable control. You could probably take it off, and attach the leads to a potentiometer that will give you better control. That way you could also mount the drill and re-position the controller.

On Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 11:10:42 AM UTC-6, Tom Blevins wrote:

[George Fetters]

Yeah, I think I have one with a metal case on it.

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[Gene J. (GeekTinker)]

Doesn't a Dremel have a variable speed control for this purpose? Depending upon what you want to use it for, most Dremels will hold a drill bit and you can find older ones used pretty much anywhere.

On Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 1:43:37 PM UTC-6, BlackTalon wrote:

Yeah, I think I have one with a metal case on it.

On Wed, Mar 9, 2016 at 1:16 PM, Andrew Ricke <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Nobody has old brushless power drills for scrap projects yet!  Those things last way longer. 

On Wednesday, March 9, 2016, George Fetters <gfet...@gmail.com> wrote:

Bottom line the motor has to have brushes.  You can get a router speed controller from Harbor Freight for about $20.  Note: I tried this with my lathe and it did not work because it has a brushless motor.  Not sure what a dimmer would cost but it would probably be cheaper.

On Wed, Mar 9, 2016 at 12:24 PM, George Fetters <> wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1EsMwk2E5c

On Wed, Mar 9, 2016 at 12:22 PM, George Fetters <> wrote:

Is it cordless or wired.

On Wed, Mar 9, 2016 at 11:10 AM, Tom Blevins <> wrote:

I have an old electric power drill that I would like to re-purpose to lower a projection screen. Could I put said drill on a standard dimmer switch so that I could lower it slow or fast?
-Tom

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[Chris Weiss]

your typical low end corded drill with a variable trigger is 0-4000 RPM (you could even use a servo to pull the trigger).  the slowest and weakest dremel with variable control is 5000-32,000 RPM, and at 5000 it's got almost no torque, certainly not enough to move a projector screen.

[EschewObfuscation]

On Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 10:07:44 AM UTC-5, ||cw wrote:

your typical low end corded drill with a variable trigger is 0-4000 RPM (you could even use a servo to pull the trigger).  the slowest and weakest dremel with variable control is 5000-32,000 RPM, and at 5000 it's got almost no torque, certainly not enough to move a projector screen.

What he said. In addition, the simple speed controllers assume an operator. If you apply a tool and it slows down too much due to low torque at low speed, you just give it a bit more juice, back off, let it spin up, try again. Repurposing a drill for the screen job, unless it has a remote throttle, you may find that low speed = low torque, high speed = high torque, so it's difficult to find a setting that works well. But the only way to be sure is to give it a go. In principle, it'll work to vary a universal motor. Experiment will tell if it'll work *well enough*. 

[Jim S]

I think it would be much easier/better to use a cordless drill.  Use a two speed one in low setting for more torque..  Then vary the voltage for speed control.  They also have an adjustable clutch so if your end switch doesn't stop it it might not tear up the rest of the setup.  Should be easy to find one cheap that the batteries have gone bad on.