Press plates for direct drive fans.

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Today a friend dropped by the shop to see if I could press a fan off a motor. In the past his formula had been simple, cut the motor shaft, beat out the stub, and install a new motor. Kinda barbaric and a lot of good motors with bad bearings (and cut shafts) went to scrap. I've been telling him for years that motors are simple and if the windings are good it's an easy fix. He's done well rebuilding the auger motors but these fan motors had him stumped. He was stuck between saving the fan or saving the motor. He just couldn't figure out a way to press them. After looking at it for a while I finally decided to make some press plates. I wasn't sure how many tons these would require so I opted for some 1/2" plate (the most I could fit). The scrap was 17" wide so I cut off some 6" widths. I then cut out a 2" circle in the center and welded some 1/4" plates into the center that allowed the mounting plate to clear and reach below the fan hub. Worked great! I can only image how many motors this press fixture will save.I didn't take any build photos but I did think to catch a few at the press. Maybe this will help someone.
Reply:Tell him to keep an eye on that hub.  I've lost count of how many hubs I've welded back on those fans.  Also, if it's a stir fan that lives completely inside a cage.  Around here we can buy a complete assembly for a few bucks more than what it costs to inspect/rebuild the motor.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmTell him to keep an eye on that hub.  I've lost count of how many hubs I've welded back on those fans.  Also, if it's a stir fan that lives completely inside a cage.  Around here we can buy a complete assembly for a few bucks more than what it costs to inspect/rebuild the motor.
Reply:IIRC a 24" stir fan (with motor, cage, and mount) was like $150-$180. I'd have to check on the larger fan, but my customer with the catalogs is out of town for a few weeks.  The motor rebuilder here gets like $60-90 to to look over the motor.  If it's rebuildable, the bill was $120-140 if I'm remembering right.  I just unhook them and remove the blades and guards.  Then re-hang the new/rebuilt assembly.  My customer takes the motor in himself.  The inspection fee is non-refundable so I always just tell him to order a new assembly to play it safe.  He doesn't always listen...I think some of the feed systems I work on use Chore-time parts.  I've replaced quite a few proximity switches.  Not sure about anything else.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmThe motor rebuilder here gets like $60-90 to to look over the motor.  If it's rebuildable, the bill was $120-140 if I'm remembering right.
Reply:Nice idea. The machine shop I used to work at also did motor repair. It seemed like every motor that came in someone tried the biggest hammer they could find to remove whatever was on the shaft. I see the worm gear on your press, is that for table lift or something else?TOO MANY TOOLS & NO MORE SPACE
Reply:Originally Posted by Chris T.. I see the worm gear on your press, is that for table lift or something else?
Reply:Thanks forhire, it looks like a heavy duty press.TOO MANY TOOLS & NO MORE SPACE
Reply:Originally Posted by Chris T.Thanks forhire, it looks like a heavy duty press.