1/8th hp electric motor prob.

I'll be looking at converting the new pillar drill to 240v at the weekend, there's a motor ready to go on, it's a bit old but in good nick. Only problem is that when tested in the kitchen, it will occasionally hum violently and not start to turn, if the shaft is turned very slightly it will start on the next attempt.

It's a cap start, would it be this?

Could be a failed cap. Does it run properly if you flick it round a bit when it's humming?

Have you checked the carb, jets prolly need cleaning.

On a more serious note, first place I'd look is the rotor. Over the years specks of copper removed from the contacts form a bridge across the insulation ruining the motors overall performance. A labour intensive task to remove the fouled insulation and replace it but the performance will be back to new, particularly the torque.

Originally Posted by cheb

Could be a failed cap. Does it run properly if you flick it round a bit when it's humming?

Dunno, don't really want to touch it if it's humming. I'll try with some string. It has a brake as well.

wear a pair or marigolds...

Has it got a fan you can prod even if you have to take the cover off? I doubt you'll hurt yourself but you could try pushing it round with a stick or a plastic rod. It takes very little force to start one. Once it starts to rotate you'll know if it's spinning up normally.

Capacitors are easily found on Ebay.

Added: Humming doesn't worry me but I'm sure sure I poke it if it was buzzing IYSWIM.

Originally Posted by cheb

Has it got a fan you can prod even if you have to take the cover off? I doubt you'll hurt yourself but you could try pushing it round with a stick or a plastic rod. It takes very little force to start one. Once it starts to rotate you'll know if it's spinning up normally.

Capacitors are easily found on Ebay.

Added: Humming doesn't worry me but I'm sure sure I poke it if it was buzzing IYSWIM.

Ok, humming with sufficient vigour to move round on the kitchen worktop a bit. It's not a transformer type hum, more a rapid switching on and off of something in there. Might just pull it apart and give it a clean before putting it on the drill.

Go on, prod it.

Clamp it to the table so it can't move and prod it.

Go on, go on, go on.

Originally Posted by cheb

Go on, prod it.

Clamp it to the table so it can't move and prod it.

Go on, go on, go on.

oh, and film it.

could well be the cap is gone, or, depending on the type, it could be the start circuit switch is stuck. got a spare cap ? try it first. if not, have a look under the fan cover for a switch and give it a tap.

the usual method of starting btw is to slap the outside of the pulley in a tangential manner.

Also, wheres the pics of the new drill?

Originally Posted by Big Pete

could well be the cap is gone, or, depending on the type, it could be the start circuit switch is stuck. got a spare cap ? try it first. if not, have a look under the fan cover for a switch and give it a tap.

the usual method of starting btw is to slap the outside of the pulley in a tangential manner.

Also, wheres the pics of the new drill?

Finally, a grown up

Drill needs a bit of a rub down, but it's a sturdy bugger and decent steel so the surface rust should come off easy enough. There's another motor in the workshop with a cap, I'll see if it fits.

Away and prod it FFS.

Youth of today, I don't know.