Dan,
I have a 15" Clausing DP (non var sp) that I added a GE treadmill
motor/controller to. Having this capability is really slick. Just
a "twist of the wrist" and I have a more suitable speed for what's
needed.
It has the feedback for constant speed and torque.
I rarely change belt positions.
Really nice.
RichD (the occasional poster)

On Sep 3, 2:38 pm, "DanG" wrote:
I had always hoped to come across a variable speed motor for my
old Rockwell 15" wood worker's drill press or some other way to
get it geared a bit lower. I gave up on finding a variable speed
motor and bought a Westward brand heavy 20" drill press with 12
speeds from Grainger's. I have just about finished making small
modifications to the table and making it "mine". Wouldn't you
know - I just acquired a variable speed motor. The new drill came
with a 1 HP. The new acquisition came from a commercial tread
mill with a 1 1/2 HP, 90 V DC, variable Leeson motor. The output
shafts are even the same and the frame mounting pattern is
adaptable.

Should I proceed or is the variable motor more valuable on
something else?
Should I install the multi-sheave pulley on the variable motor and
continue to run through the multiple pulleys?
Is there a simple way to make this reversible?