[quick50stng]

I have come across a barely used electic motor that is a freebie. I don't know what it's good for but here are the specs.

Reliance
* Duty master A-C
*H.P 1/4 , 60 Hz
* 1725 rpms
* 4.4/2.2 ?

It's electrical plug in has been cut but it has one black wire and one white. I'm assuming it runs off 120 power. I know little about electonics so any help would be great.

Thought maybe it could be used for a bench grinder or put a wire wheel on one end?

[Mike in Michigan]

Harbor Freight, and others sell adapters that fit on common motor shafts and will accept grinding or buffing wheels. I would get a 3-wire extension cord and rewire the motor with the ground wire of the cord fastened to the frame of the motor. The ground wire is usually, BUT NOT ALWAYS, green. When in doubt, pin out the UNPLUGGED cord with an ohmmeter or continuity tester to be sure. 1/4 hp on the tag probably means 1/8 at the shaft unless is is a very old one built in USA. Probably good for nothing bigger than 6" OD wheels but still useful.
I have a few of them in my gunshop with wire wheels and small buffing wheels I use occasionally when I don't want to change grits on the big units. Mounted on plywood with an edge-mounted 2x4 glued and screwed underneath. I clamp the 2x4 in a vise to hold the unit.
I have a trash-picked 3/4 HP motor on my South Bend 9" lathe that works fine.
Recycle more than old cars.

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

My grandpa has a bunch of ancient electric motors. Those things are HEAVY! They turn slow as well, but do they have power!

[Gearhead forever]

Sounds like an old blower or fan motor (furnace?) It could be made into a small sander/grinder or a fan motor once again.

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

If the garage gets hot in the summer, the fan idea sounds good... have it at the opposite end of the door (usually back) with the louver kind of vents and back the fan up to that with a screen on both sides; to keep birds out and to keep kids playing in the rafters from getting wounded.