Buffalo Drill Press- motor issue

Kevin McGovern

Kevin McGovern

Joined
Jul 31, 2015
Messages
3,118
I have a short in the GE motor on my Buffalo drill press. The motor appears original which would put it at about 60 years old. I checked all the wiring up to the connection points. The wires coming from the windings are suspect, as are the windings themselves. I would like to eventually rebuild this motor, but for the time being, I need my press functional. I have a 1.5 HP 1800 RPM motor sitting. It will bolt right up to the press, but it's pretty heavy. Although the press is very stout as well. Any reason I shouldn't use this motor for my press? I think it's over kill, but I already have the motor, and It will be temporary. (yes, 2 years is temporary...) Thanks.
 
Which Buffalo press? a #15 or #18, or bigger? I have plans to mount a 2Hp on my #18, so I don' think 1.5 is too big for the mount.

The original motors on the buffalo were brushed (induction-repulsion for high start torque), so you will not get normal readings on the windings.
 
It's a 15". I didn't notice any brushes on the motor. It has no capacitor. It's a 1/3 HP. The other night, I got a shock from the press as I touched he press and got a shock. I tracked down the issue to 2 problems.

1. at some point, the neutral prong on the cord had broken off. I remedied the issue.
2. now the press trips out the GFCI.

Strangely, although i don't get a shock of any kind now. If i test for voltage between it and my grinder (it is grounded) i get an 80v reading???
 
That's a little smaller than I thought the #15 would use for a motor, I'm surprised.

When you repaired the ground, the leakage went to ground, prior to that you were feeling it would be my guess if I followed you correctly.

Even if you went with 1/2 Hp, you could get a new motor with modern insulation, and be done for a little less than $200. The #15 base reportedly weighs approx. #95, so the weight may be there for the 1.5Hp temporary option, but I wonder if it will upset the center weight of the machine.

-Ron
 
I will take a picture of the original motor and data plate tonight. I will try the 1.5 and see how it goes. I have a disc grinder with a 1/2 hp 3 phase and vfd. i think long term, I may get another 3 phase 1/2HP and then I could have total speed control (tapping holes on the press? yes thank you!).
 
That is what I am doing with mine. Gettting around to that 2Hp VFD will seal the deal. I rebuilt my 1Hp induction repulsion, and did not like the sparking I was getting from the brushes from time to time. I also broke one of my 6 step pulleys, so VFD was the best option.

Good luck with your Buffalo press. There is a guy selling parts for them if you ever need one, they are very expensive though. bmt-usa.com
 
When you mount that new motor

It's a real pita to hold the motor up and try to get some bolts in or out

Swivel that table around to the back of the drill press
Put the motor on and crank it up with the table crank


I felt so smart when I figured that out.
 
Last edited:
So I did this. I don't need my disc nearly as much as my press.

[YouTube]jH7_90D02hE[/YouTube]

Sent from my ASUS_Z01BDC using Tapatalk
 
Kevin McGovern said:
It's a 15". I didn't notice any brushes on the motor. It has no capacitor. It's a 1/3 HP. The other night, I got a shock from the press as I touched he press and got a shock. I tracked down the issue to 2 problems.

1. at some point, the neutral prong on the cord had broken off. I remedied the issue.
2. now the press trips out the GFCI.

Strangely, although i don't get a shock of any kind now. If i test for voltage between it and my grinder (it is grounded) i get an 80v reading???
Click to expand...

Based on your message, I say you have more problem than just its motor.

Firstly, getting a shock while touching the drillpress would indicate its GFCI were not working or connected wrong.
But that comment assumes the drillpress wiring were at fault.
Were the electrical source something else you contacted, Then you get shocked touching the grounded drillpress, could mislead to think the drillpress is faulty.

If the neutral pin were broken, The machine would simply not run. Were it able to run with a faulty neutral, Its wiring is distinctly faulty AND its GFCI is not working.

80v between grinder & drillpress could be a variety of problem in addition to the drillpress fault.
 
Last edited:
I misstyped. The ground pin was broken, not the neutral. I replaced the. Motor and all is well now.

Sent from my ASUS_Z01BDC using Tapatalk
 
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