upgrade to Power Pro or not?

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dusty
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Post by dusty »

chuckoliver wrote:The local motor repair shop reported the motor ran fine, but was full of dust. They cleaned it and replaced the bearings for a nominal fee, while I checked out the power cord. It turns out the white lead had opened right at the strain relief. It was not visible without removing the cord, and explains why I had no power at the on-off switch. My guess is the burnt smell I sensed when the motor stopped was the final few strands of the white lead heating up and melting open.

I cut of the bad section of power cord, reamed out the power lead hole for a new strain relief and reinstalled everything after cleaning out some gunk and oiling the mechanical parts. Both drive belts were in apparent good condition so I didn't replace them. I'm back in business.

Thanks to all who comments and my apologies to the folks who wanted to live vicariously through me, if I upgraded.

I have not said this before but I will now. If a person is going to own and maintain a shop with power tools, one if the tools in the shop should be a multimeter. They are simple to use and simple to learn to use if you don't already know how. A quick ohm meter check on the power cord (while still attached to the Mark 5/V) would have indicated the possibility of either a bad cord or switch.

The indication would not be absolute as motor windings could have been open and that would be another story.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
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chuckoliver
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Upgrade to Power Pro or not

Post by chuckoliver »

I concur with Dusty regarding the multimeter. Sears has adequate ones for under $20. Radio Shack is probably a good source too.

Actually, I had determined there was no power to the switch, but with the motor installed, I couldn't see how it was wired. After I pulled the motor, I didn't test it, but figured it couldn't hurt to have it looked at by a shop and possibly replace the bearings as PM. The motor came back looking and running like new. It was only after close inspection that I found the open in the power cord at the strain relief.
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

And if that is too 'complicated', there are continuity lights.(or a flashlight and two wires:D)
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
shealyl
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Post by shealyl »

I upgraded to a power pro and love it. So much better than the orginal. Soft start, more power, quieter, easier to control. Go for it.
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