All you want to know for driving powerful motors recycled from washing machines

Motors from washing machines are powerful and easy to recycle, though they need a special driver to get the best from them.
In this video a hands-on approach about how to drive these motors through the Phase Angle Control and Closed loop speed control.

Washing machine motors can be easily recovered from old machines, often are in good conditions, are powerful, they can spin in both directions,
and can be driven to control their speed with good torque from standstill. You can also squeeze out much power if a good ventilation is provided.
Since they are fitted with a tachometer they can be driven to rotate at a constant speed even when the load changes.
However to get the best from them a specific driver is required.
The theory of operation of these motors is presented and how the Phase Angle Control used to drive them works.
Finally a full driver that I've made is presented.

With a power of about 500W I will use one of these motors to temporarily drive the spindle of my mini lathe.

In the video is featured an RPM-counter that I've made, follow this link to watch the video of the project:
   • DIY rotor balancing gauge and rpm cou...  
   • Contactless Tachometer (RPM counter) ...  

Content summary
Description of the Universal Motor and how it works.
Hands-on approach of the Phase Angle Control, and of the Closed Loop Control System theory of operation.
Discussion of the blocks diagram of the driver.
Test of the purposely built driver.