There are some bargains to be found in used motors.. I try to keep several
spares for machines as backups, and for future projects.

Buying new motors isn't often a consideration for me, but I would if
desparately needed. A used 2HP 120/240VAC flea market motor cost me only $35
a few years ago.. a great Westinghouse ball bearing, air compressor rated
(start and run caps) in good condition.

A good alternate plan might be to find a variable speed AC or DC motor
setup.. they're a great upgrade for any lathe.

--
WB
..........


"toolbreaker" wrote in message
...
Update.

I pulled the lathe from the wall and looked at the capacitor. It was
bulging and leaking diametric all over everything. The failed
capacitor is factory supplied 110 VAC 600 microfarad beast. See
Granger for a selection of motor run caps. Note the motor runs on
220VAC. It is common for start capacitor to be rated at half working
voltage. This makes sense because the cap is sharing the voltage
with the starting coil so it only experiences ½ the run voltage.

I really needed the lathe for a job so I took a chance and replaced
the capacitor without checking the centrifugal cut out switch
contacts. I tested the motor and it appeared to work so I put
everything back together and started the job. Fifteen minutes into
it BOOM and the starter windings are shorted to ground. It was kind
of exiting because hitting the kill switch had no effect. Thank God
for circuited breakers. This time I pulled the motor and look at
the contacts and they are toast. I am now in the market for a new
motor and spent $700 having another shop make the part.


Dead short to case. 0.2 ohms.

I talked to the local motor rebuilder and at $75 hour he said it just
isn't worth it. New one cost $250 to $300.

Interesting thing. 22 mm metric shaft come out to 0.870. Now if I
had a lathe that worked I could bore out the pulley 5 mill and use a
n 7/8 shaft US motor.