One of the best 1/32nd builders/tuners/racers I know let slip with a speed secret recently -- that he will tap his can motors with a hammer. He claims it is usually good for adding a couple hundred peak RPM's. He confesses he doesn't know why it should work, but he insists it does. He has a theory that it helps settle the magnets closer to the armature.
Now I am so impressed by this guy's ability to produce race-winning cars that if he suggested I put my slotcar in a burlap bag, go out onto my front lawn, swing it over my head and scream like a chicken -- I'd at least consider it. So I just bought a small brass-head hammer specifically for -- yes -- rapping on my slot motors.
I happen to have a DIY dynamometer for can-style slot motors. I ginned it up some time ago. It does work, and it allows me to vary the load and the voltage while monitoring the current draw of a motor. I haven't used it much because in early testing it seemed to show a motor's performance was more dependent on its amount of break-in than anything else. At least that is the impression I got. I really need to spend more time on it.
But at least I have a way to check the peak RPM's of motors pre- and post- hammering.
Things at home have been hectic of late. Time in my basement mad-scientist digs has been scarce. But I intend to investigate this some when things calm down a bit.
In the meantime, can anybody confirm or debunk this technique? Better yet, explain why it might work?
Now I am so impressed by this guy's ability to produce race-winning cars that if he suggested I put my slotcar in a burlap bag, go out onto my front lawn, swing it over my head and scream like a chicken -- I'd at least consider it. So I just bought a small brass-head hammer specifically for -- yes -- rapping on my slot motors.
I happen to have a DIY dynamometer for can-style slot motors. I ginned it up some time ago. It does work, and it allows me to vary the load and the voltage while monitoring the current draw of a motor. I haven't used it much because in early testing it seemed to show a motor's performance was more dependent on its amount of break-in than anything else. At least that is the impression I got. I really need to spend more time on it.
But at least I have a way to check the peak RPM's of motors pre- and post- hammering.
Things at home have been hectic of late. Time in my basement mad-scientist digs has been scarce. But I intend to investigate this some when things calm down a bit.
In the meantime, can anybody confirm or debunk this technique? Better yet, explain why it might work?
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