A 1954 Popular Science magazine article reported that a vacuum sweeper motor could be converted into a lawn edger. In 2010, these instructions are still relevant. You will need advanced fabricating skills to make the housing and wheel assembly, as well as the blade assembly and blade guards. After it is finished, the motor is part of a compact yet powerful electric lawn edger. Do not exceed the revolutions per minute capacity of the blade, however, since the blade may fly off, if it is fastened incorrectly. If you are not comfortable using a hard blade, make an edger that uses weed trimmer flexible line instead. Make the guard sufficiently strong to prevent injury.
You can make a leaf blower from the motor/fan assembly. Make the housing, and attach a nozzle. You will have to use your fabricating skills to design the outer case. After you are done, use a long extension cord. You can even mount the assembly in a back pack, making the device very portable.
You can make a small windmill, that will generate electricity. If you spin the motor shaft fast enough, it will generate electricity. You may have to fabricate gearing, so the low revolutions per minute (rpm) of the windmill is transformed into faster shaft rpm. Obtain the assistance of an electrician to do the wiring, and the unit should generate enough power to charge batteries.