Shopsmith Forums

Place jumpers on the motor wires and bypass the switch to eliminate it as a problem?

I have a MarkV C gen headstock. This thing has been bullet proof for years with regular oiling and cleaning. This morning I set up my band saw and hit the power switch but nothing. The switch has been acting odd lately...sort of soft throw instead of a firm click. So, I removed the switch, blew it out, checked it with a meter and all is fine. I reinstalled it and still nothing. The motor and all internals are free...nothing stuck. No motor hum...just silence.

Anything else I should check?

In your post you kinda skip over some of the basic things, maybe you did them and didn't post...
SO....
Power from the outlet? breaker, or fuse?
Is the cord in good shape? Check it for continuty...unpluged of course.

I just state this because I've done service calls, ASKED if the client checked the breakers, and walked up and found a breaker triped...

AND even worse, I just did somethng similar the other day:o

rjn2649 wrote:In your post you kinda skip over some of the basic things, maybe you did them and didn't post...
SO....
Power from the outlet? breaker, or fuse?
Is the cord in good shape? Check it for continuty...unpluged of course.

I just state this because I've done service calls, ASKED if the client checked the breakers, and walked up and found a breaker triped...

AND even worse, I just did somethng similar the other day:o

Thanks. No problem with asking. I have verified all of the above.

I metered the power cord and got an open reading on all pins with the switch off. Same with the switch on.

I made two 12 AWG jumpers and put them in place. This time I get 0 ohms between the neutral and hot. So, it looks like I have a bad switch.

Any issue with using jumpers to verify all else is working?

guitarnut wrote:Thanks. No problem with asking. I have verified all of the above.

I metered the power cord and got an open reading on all pins with the switch off. Same with the switch on.

I made two 12 AWG jumpers and put them in place. This time I get 0 ohms between the neutral and hot. So, it looks like I have a bad switch.

Any issue with using jumpers to verify all else is working?

As a test, yes.

As a modus operandi, maybe.

Safety features of the switch will be missing?

Turning on/off will require inserting/pulling out the plug. Two hands may be required.

Caution required!!!;)


As a permanent solution, NO!!!

JPG40504 wrote:As a permanent solution, NO!!!

Thanks, JPG.

I tested with the jumpers. Everything is fine. I ran the band saw and drill press most of the afternoon. Bit of a pain having to use the plug but I finished what I needed to finish for the day.

New switch on the way. I wouldn't even consider the jumpers as a permanent solution. A bandaid at best.