Hi everyone, I'm in need of some help. I'm a bit of a fish out of water with electronics. I'm working on a project to build a "Roto Molder" for casting art pieces. I am trying to build a machine to spin molds similar to this YouTube video: [url=http://youtu.be/xcdkDKkiBeU]Moohead Rotocaster - YouTube[/url] This person's Roto Molder is a massive machine.... and while i'd love to have one like that; I am building something smaller using wood. I have a DC motor from a treadmill for this project. It is a Pacific Scientific motor ( PWM 3636-5250-7 ) ; 2.3 HP, RPM 3590, Volts 124DC 16.8AMP treadmill motor. Here is a picture of it: [ATTACH]16003[/ATTACH] I have a couple questions. What is this piece on the motor? [ATTACH]16004[/ATTACH] It was explained to me as a controller tail; but it seems to just connect to a metal plate that is screwed into the motor.... so i don't understand how it can relay info to the motor to control it. and... Due to my ignorance of electronics, I am trying to find a way to use this motor as a variable speed motor, without killing myself. I would like to be able to slowly turn the project at speeds from a crawl to moderately fast. My understanding is that I can buy a TREADMILL DC MOTOR CONTROLLER, like this from ebay: [url=http://r.ebay.com/2M0Nax]MC 60m Icon Treadmill DC Motor Controller MC60M | eBay[/url] and attach a POT 5k dial to it, like this: [url=http://amzn.com/B00DN1FGT8]Amico 3590S-2-502L 5K Ohm 10-Turn Rotary Wire Wound Precision Potentiometer Pot - Amazon.com[/url] and then connect a power cable, and this would achieve my goal?? If i used a 1k, or a 10k POT, would it achieve slower speeds of rpm's? (i just need the motor to slowly spin the project) Is this thinking right? or would anyone have any recommendations on how to achieve this? also; as a potential upgrade, could i add a simple power on/off switch like this: [url=http://amzn.com/B0009TQ2AE]Amazon.com: Attwood On/Off Toggle Switch with Metal Handle: Sports & Outdoors[/url] in line to the controller unit? and possibly a timer to shut it off after 20-30 min? as an alternative.... (simpler for me to implement) could i use a Step Less Speed Controller, [url=http://amzn.com/B000HQAVNI]SE - Step Less Speed Controller - Electronic, 15 Amps - Amazon.com[/url] to adjust the speed of the motor, by just plugging a power cable into this unit, and then splicing that power cable to the red/black wires of the motor? (possibly with a timer on it again to stop it after 20-30 min?) Thank you for any advice!!!!!! I highly appreciate anyone that can get me going in the right direction to a working unit. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Cheers!

Question that may make some (or all) of you cringe, but I figure its best to ask... Some background: We are turning our 3 season room (insulated, but no heat) into a bedroom. I have been heating the house with a pellet stove with oil forced hot air as a backup. I am going to run electric heat into the bedroom so that when it is not used I won't need to be heating it. During my home inspection the inspector said that I had 100amp service and it was good "but I wouldn't want to add much more to it". While I don't see the heat on it the room more than a few times a winter I didn't specifically want to just add another double breaker to my box and hope for the best. I have 2 meters outside with 3 disconnects. One meter and outside disconnect (2 30amp breakers) go to the water heater which is pretty straightforward. The second meter goes to the outside disconnect for the 100amp service (2 100amp breakers connected), and in the same box 2 20amp breakers that used to go to the shed. The shed has been disconnected and the pair of 20amp breakers is sitting in the off position with no wires leaving them. Question(s): Can I run wiring from what was the shed breakers into the house into a new panel (with disconnect) that I could then add a breaker for a heater and other things in the future (perhaps radiant heat in the bathroom, can't think of much more than that)? If so, can/should I switch the breakers from 2 20 amps to 2 30 or greater amp breakers? How much will this look like a rigged up system when it comes time to sell the house? I would love to avoid paying to upgrade the service to 200amp, but not if it is definitely going to cost me in the long run. I work with a few electricians, so I could have them assist with trickier parts of the install, but I don't think any of them have a burning desire to help me upgrade the service. Thoughts?