Shopsmith Forums

I’m restoring my dads old shopsmith 10-ER. I know how to wire it up but I don’t know what size (gauge) wire to get to replace the old wiring. Thanks for any help. Motor is 1/2 horse 115 volts.

Welcome to the forum. You will find a wealth of knowledge here from the members. Ask questions and they will be answered. Pictures always help for sticky problems.

14Gauge will work but I use 12 Gauge. Also buy 12-2 with a ground wire. Use a 3 prong plug and attach the ground wire to the motor housing/frame (bare metal) in some convenient place.

Assuming the motor is 1/2hp a 14 ga extension cord is the easiest way to get a cord and plug(cut the socket end off of an extension cord). Connect the third(green) wire to the frame of the motor.

If the cord is long, then increase the wire gauge to #12.

Thanks for the feedback. Extension cord is a great idea.

John and JPG have given great advice on sizes of cords and what to use. It is exactly what I do when replacing the cords on my Model 10 restorations. Because of their age the original cords are brittle and unsafe. I use either an extension cord about 10' and cut off the female end or use a replacement cord that does not have a female end. If you need a longer cord go with the heavier gauge wire. I use an additional section about 20" long for the motor to the switch connection. Some motors have terminal posts for the cord connections but the most common motor, the A. O. Smith 1/2 HP and others do not. For it I use butt splices in the motor where the cord connects to the motor's wiring and cover the connections. The switch is replaced too. Although these old motors on the Model 10's seem to last forever the cords and switches to them do not.