Made myself a homemade cresting machine.  Getting ready to try it out, but am concerned that it spins too fast.  Was reading that it should spin around 300 rpm.  Mine is from a small fan motor and is probably much faster.
I bought a standard dimmer switch, but when I hook it up, the motor barely turns when the switch is turned all the way on.
The dimmer is a standard 120v, reads 600w.
I don't know much when it comes to electricity, just some basics, so is there a different dimmer switch I should get, or is the problem with the motor I'm using?

This may sound stupid but is it a AC or DC motor?

Not sure about what you have,but old sewing machine motors work real well,with the foot pedal to control speed.

It is an AC motor.

Pastorhunter,
I don't know exactly the motor you have but you will need a speed contol for a fan not a light dimmer switch.There is a dimmer called a triac based dimmer that you can get from a radio shack that would work but a speed control for a fan from  Home Depot or Lowes should work and is i think around $15.00.If you run into and problems send me a PM with you're phone number and we will work it out.
                    Chad

Just get in touch with Curtis Kellar at 7th Age Bowhunting- Curtis is THE EXPERT electrician on this site and will get you all squared away on that thing.

Ask anyone on this site they'll tell you the same thing!

LOL, man that was one FUNNY thread!!

Sorry Ray, Don't sell Curtis short.
. I beleive he has a masters in electrical engineering.

Then why is all the hair burnt offa his knuckles?

Killdeer   :confused:

PastorHunter, There are many different style motors out there and some might turn with a light dimmer but it's the wrong device for the job.I don,t consider myself an expert but have been an electrician for many moons.If you need some help let me know.      

              Chad

I think I remember reading about Curtis' prowess with homemade feather burners too!

What kind of fan motor?

From an exhaust fan?

In My Homade Crester, I used am Old Sewing Machine Motor with a Dimmer Switch to Slow it Down. Still Working as Good today as it did Five years ago!!