Newbie with a Greenie

[restonut]

Tonight was tear down the Franklin 3/4 horse motor night. I actually wasn't going to do anything more than give it a good what-for with compressed air because it ran nice and quiet, but once I got the sheaves off for cleaning and oiling I noticed a slight ticking coming from the front bearing when I would spin it. I decided to go the extra step and tear it down, and I'm glad I did.

The rear bearing was loose and sloppy, and the front one was just the opposite - very tight. The weight of the armature is very deceptive because the motor together seemed to spin fine, and there was no end play, but the front bearing is very hard to turn on the shaft by hand. The wiring looks great for a 60-some year old...the insulation is in great condition and is nice and flexible.

I did find alot of greasy thick sawdust in the motor, packed in every nook and cranny, so I spent alot of time brushing and blowing it out with the air compressor. I am very surprised how nice of condition this motor is in, and now I'm glad I tore it down.

I affectionately named my Shopsmith Mildred, and I have big plans for her ...520 table system and eventually a PowerPro conversion, but for now she will be restored so I can build a wood geared clock I have the plans for...I picked up a jointer on a dual power stand and a jigsaw the other day and I plan on finding a bandsaw soon...I'm terrible with pictures so please bear with me, cause I am taking them as I go but still have to upload them.

[restonut]

Finished the motor today. Here's a few pics:

This is what it looked like after opening it up:


Aaaahhhh...nice and clean!


Other than bearings, ll she needed was a new grommet...the old one was kaput.



After putting it all back together, I rigged up a test plug, crossed my fingers and plugged her in. What a difference new bearings make...so quiet! Another job crossed off the list.

...more to come...

[WorkinClass]

As to upgrading to the Power Pro, if you've got the cash, why not. I've never been one to own the newest model of anything if my older one does the job. I guess I just like the idea of having older tools that never seem to wear out.

First off, I apologize for resurrecting old threads.
New SS owner, I'll prob do it a few more times...
One thing I have learned since I became a machinist in '93, is there is nothing like an American built, WWII era machine, like the metal cutting lathes and mills I learned on in the Navy. The castings were just better. They didn't have the tech to "lighten" or "improve" the cast material. They just poured it and bored holes. It was denser,thicker,heavier, and hence, chatters less.

The "greenie" I picked up just recently, fit this anatomy, and it hasn't disappointed...