Burning Out Motors?

[kylecroft]

Hi

I built this linear actuator (I took the silver guide rod out - it works better):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7261353...7600211462368/
and it has caused me nothing but pain.
I originally used this motor:
http://www.eminebea.com/content/html...pm42s096.shtml
When I tried to use that motor, it would erratically change directions and stall. When I removed it, I discovered that the movement was clunky, except at low speeds. So, I moved on to this motor:
http://www.mitsumi.co.jp/Catalog/com.../5/text01e.pdf
Before hooking it up, it ran smoothly. After a few tries hooked up though, it too moved to the clunky side. I realize these are both small motors; I am getting them out of scanners. So my question is if the motor can't turn the load, can it burn out and be permanently damaged? I am using a Linistepper running at 30V, configured for .266 Amps

Thanks
Kyle

EDIT - Oops I accidentally put this in the linear motion forum, not the stepper motor forum. Could someone please move it? Thanks

[skmetal7]

maybe you are runnign it at too high of a voltage. how hard is it to turn the leadscrew (like by hand)? maybe you are over working the little steppers

[kylecroft]

The leadscrew turns pretty smoothly, although the steppers aren't that powerful. Sometimes they go on a good streak and can turn it easily. However, after they were going for a few inches, the motors would stall out. Also, they seemed to have problems starting up.

Thanks
Kyle

[Zumba]

Are you sure it's electrical damage and not mechanical damage? Define "clunky".