I want to control the speed of a small electric motor. I'm making a small hobby project, what parts would I need to do this, besides the motor? Also should I use a brushless, or regular motor?
It depends. Is it a DC or AC motor? You can control a DC motor by varying the voltage applied to it. AC motors need a circuit with Triac's in it to vary the time when the AC is applied to the motor. There are electronic kits on the internet that do this for you. To control a brushless motor you need to use pulses to vary the speed. Varying the voltage level won't work. You control the speed by varying the time the voltage is applied to it.
Well its a small motor or else i would have recommened a motor-drive which gives you same amount of tourqe but less RPM. If you lower your voltage it will have less rpm but not as much torque only way to do this is to put a gear box in. or gears
put a rheostat in series with it. The value and wattage of the rheostat will depend on the current drawn and the voltage of the motor. .
