Replies

1. 
   GClancy | Jun 17, 2002 03:55pm | #1

   A motor repair shop is a good place, or order one thru tool crib or McMaster Carr.  Make sure the NEMA frame of the replacement motor is identical to the old, often times a 56 frame does not cut it. NEMA frame code does not only refers to the mounting flange, but also shaft length, diameter, height from base, etc.  Also pay attention to rpm and rotation of replacement motor, as well as phase, of course.

   Best of luck with your new (old) tools.

   Greg

   
   

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   Edited 6/17/2002 8:56:57 AM ET by GCLANCY

2. 
   TKanzler | Jun 17, 2002 06:59pm | #2

   Junkyards are a good source.  Look around in the light iron (low density stuff like washing machines, swing sets, sheet metal scrap) pile for A/C air handlers and furnaces with belt-driven blowers.  They usually charge $5 to $20 for a small motor.  Make sure you either test it, or can return it if it's no good.  If you regularly use a heating/air conditioning contractor for maintenance or repair at home or work, ask to look around the scrap pile at their shop for motors.  I've gotten several blowers and motors for free that way in the past.  (I've always offered cash, and they've never taken it.) 

   A 3600 rpm motor for a jointer will be a little more difficult to find that way, but you can simply use an 1800 rpm motor and use a drive pulley with twice the pitch diameter (PD) as the original (assuming the original used a 3600 rpm motor).  Sears stores have various die cast units on the shelf, as do McMaster and Grainger.  The $10 to $15 for a drive pulley, plus a little more for a drive belt, is a lot cheaper than a 2-pole motor, which you will probably have to pay for, new or used, since they are much, much less common.  And don't worry about big hp motors.  I've been using 1/2 hp motors on my bandsaw, jointer, and lathe for 30 years without a problem.  All junkyard specials.  If the machinery starts to bog regularly, then spend the money for a bigger prime mover.  Good luck.

   Edit: I should qualify my statements on hp requirements; I don't do resawing or other heavy work with those tools, and therefore don't need much power.  I am assuming you are starting small, and offer my suggestions as a cost effective (maybe free) way to get up and running, with several obvious upgrade paths.  For what it's worth...

    

   Be seeing you...

   
   

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   Edited 6/17/2002 2:58:28 PM ET by TDKPE

3. 
   sschefer | Jun 17, 2002 07:15pm | #3

   Scott, If it was me, my first step would be to see if the motors are repairable. It may be something simple and only cost a couple of dollars. However, you should know ahead of time what the cost of a new motor is so that you don't spend more on repairs than the cost of a replacement. Who is the manufacturer of the tools? If they are common name brands then you can get tons of information and often replacement parts right on the internet.

   Steve - in Northern California

   
   

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   Edited 6/17/2002 12:28:28 PM ET by Steve Schefer