How to build a (cheap) revolution burst testing machine?

Question

A mechanical engine component it is put into stress by rotating it at high speeds to see if it will not break apart and/or how much time @ certain rpm will sustain. How would you build a simple device to test it?

Answer 1

I would perform a failure mode analysis to find the dominant/most likely failure modes during the test. I would probably then look at doing a tensile or combined tensile-fatigue test to characterize the failure on more off-the-shelf testing equipment.  

It depends on what the part is, how its expected to fail, and what other equipment you have in your lab.