Grainger Sucks

I am highly annoyed. I found a nice pig rotisserie motor at Grainger's site (Dayton 4LL05), and then I tried to check out, and it said they only sold wholesale. So I'm not eligible, unless I cook up a huge lie.

They're selling it for about $27. Next best deal: $68. Can you believe that?

Ebay has a nice 220 gearmotor, but I don't feel like cooking in the garage. They used to have some really nice ones dirt cheap, but I didn't strike while the iron was hot. I could have had a big enclosed motor that would have outlived me.

I think I have the fundamentals figured out. I get this motor, and then I buy a 5/16" bore sprocket, with a keyway. I buy a similar-sized sprocket I can attach to a pole. I connect them with ordinary bicycle chain, from which I have removed the grease. I won't need grease at 1 RPM, and it would make a mess. Maybe a light application of oil.

Looks pretty simple. Perhaps too simple. I feel like I'm being set up.

I wanted to put this thing together without much metalworking, so other people could do it, but I think that's going to be too hard. The main thing that will require moderately hard-to-get tools is the pole. I have to fasten a sprocket to a 1 1/2" pole. If I could find a sprocket with a 1 1/2" bore that would fit a bike chain and attach with a simple screw, I'd be fine. But they seem to not exist. I suspect that I'll have to buy a flat sprocket and weld it.

They have all sorts of sprockets at Surplus Center. I found one with a 5/16" bore, to fit small gearmotors.

Damn Grainger to hell. I can't believe they teased me like that.