KitchenCommon
Blender
Also called mixer, food processor.
A universal motor with brushes, a multi-speed switch, and an interlock so it does not run with the jar off. High speed, intermittent duty.
A donor is the dead machine. The parts below are what is still worth removing from it. “Leave it” is a part that is physically in there and should stay in there: too dangerous, too worn, or only useful as part of a repair you are not doing.
A scrapped machine is a box of parts that failed at different times. The reason it was thrown out is often one bad piece. The motor, the cord, the supply, and the screws are frequently still good. This index says which is which.
Why it is in the trash while the parts are not
Worn brushes, a stripped coupler, or a cracked jar. The motor is often fine.
Before you open it
Do this while it is still unplugged, cool, and not leaking. Unplug. The motor is mains.
Where the dead machine usually is
- Kitchen — In the house
- Thrift store — Retail
- Bulk trash day — Curb
Thrift stores are full of them. Plug it in before you pay.
How it comes apart
The coupler pulls or unscrews. Brushes, if replaceable, are under caps on the side of the motor.
Tools: Phillips, Meter.
Words on this page
- mains
- Ordinary household wall power. It can kill. Unplug before you open anything that used it, and do not experiment on live wiring.
- interlock
- A switch whose job is to stop a machine when a door or cover is open. Take it for a new project. Do not bypass the one still fitted to a machine you will use.
What to take
The table is the short version. The notes under it describe that part inside this machine, not only the general description.
| Part | Call | How many | How often | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal motor | Prize | 1 | usually | The base. |
| Panel switch | Worth pulling | 1 | usually | The front. |
| Safety interlock | Worth pulling | 1 | usually | Jar detect. |
| Gears | Bonus | 1 | sometimes | Coupler. |
| Mains cord | Worth pulling | 1 | always | Rear. |
Prize
Series motor, mains, very fast. Do not run it unloaded at full mains for fun.
The base.
Check brushes.
Brushes may be short. The armature is usually fine.
Worth pulling
Multi-position mains switch, sometimes with a triac on later models.
The front.
Map the speeds.
Contact wear is the failure on cheap ones.
A switch or a magnet and reed.
Jar detect.
A reed version includes the magnet in the jar collar.
Good.
Ordinary appliance cord.
Rear.
Inspect.
Good.
Bonus
A plastic dog that strips.
Coupler.
That is the failure. The motor shaft under it is the part.
Stripped.