Need help with a Leeson 1.5 HP electric motor

I just opened the control box, checked the switch and two fuses for continuity. Closed the control box , flipped the switch and the motor ran.
Something that might give some of you a clue is that from time to time when the grinder is running the RPM suddenly goes up.
 
I still don’t like the looks of those springs. Sometimes brush pressure can play a role in a motor running sporadically. Hard to say if that’s your problem though. Does the switch feel solid? Could be a faulty switch. Could also be something in the control board itself. Hard to say, especially with older equipment.
 
One of the times the motor doesn't start, I suggest you carefully spin one of the wheels with a stick or something similar. I don't know if it happens on these types of motors, but I know starter motors on cars can go bad and whacking them with a mallet will often trigger them into spinning. Might at least give you more info to go on.

-Mark
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I have checked the switch for continuity, and it as well as the fuses checks out. I have spun the motor with the switch on and that doesn't help.
Earlier today I flipped the switch and nothing happened. I then took the plug out and put it in in a different receptacle flipped the switch and the motor ran. I went back 15 minutes later turned the motor on and nothing happened.
Drew, it could be the springs although it takes a lot of pressure to push the brush in and lock it in place. I have tried to check the control box for loose fittings and can find none.
I do have other grinders so I can get by without this one, but I would like to get it fixed.
Thanks again for the thoughts and suggestions.
 
Tom Lewis said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I have checked the switch for continuity, and it as well as the fuses checks out. I have spun the motor with the switch on and that doesn't help.
Earlier today I flipped the switch and nothing happened. I then took the plug out and put it in in a different receptacle flipped the switch and the motor ran. I went back 15 minutes later turned the motor on and nothing happened.
Drew, it could be the springs although it takes a lot of pressure to push the brush in and lock it in place. I have tried to check the control box for loose fittings and can find none.
I do have other grinders so I can get by without this one, but I would like to get it fixed.
Thanks again for the thoughts and suggestions.
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Weird problem .............. :) brushes must go in-out in place where they seat freely .Too free is not good too , they can get stuck without contact on rotor... to tight , same /dust from brushes inside place where they seat /.....
 
I wonder if you've got a flaky connection where the motor windings attach to the commutator?

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Ave on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil - great channel if you haven't watched it) says these will often break after many years, especially if they're not coated in some sort of epoxy to resist vibration.
 
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NeutronStar said:
One of the times the motor doesn't start, I suggest you carefully spin one of the wheels with a stick or something similar. I don't know if it happens on these types of motors, but I know starter motors on cars can go bad and whacking them with a mallet will often trigger them into spinning. Might at least give you more info to go on.

-Mark
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Well Mark , it certainly works ...... :) but other thing happens when you whacking them in this part not in motor ;)
6bI75z6.png
 
Thanks again for your interest and suggestions.
I plugged the cord into a different socket and since then the motor has run every time I turn on the switch.
All the electrical sockets have electricity and run other tools.
I really don't understand what has been going on. The clues don't seem to add up to any conclusion.
I am glad the motor is now working and hopefully it will continue to do so.
 
Drew, that is a good question. I don't know how to meter the outlet, but I have a friend that does know how. The funny thing is the grinder did run sometimes on two other outlets. Since I have plugged it into the third outlet it has not had any problems. Other tools run fine on the first two outlets.
Thanks for the concern and suggestions.
 
Tom Lewis said:
Drew, that is a good question. I don't know how to meter the outlet, but I have a friend that does know how. The funny thing is the grinder did run sometimes on two other outlets. Since I have plugged it into the third outlet it has not had any problems. Other tools run fine on the first two outlets.
Thanks for the concern and suggestions.
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Maybe power cord ? Moving it , sometimes have contact sometimes no ?
 
The grinder is still working, so I am cautiously optimistic that whatever the problem was the grinder now works.
I don't understand how taking a brush out and putting it back made the grinder work but then 10 minutes later it didn't work. I opened the control door, shut it, the grinder worked, then later it didn't work. The symptoms just don't seem to add up.
I sure don't plan on moving the plug or the cord.
Thanks again for your concern and helpful suggestions.
 
Tom Lewis said:
The grinder is still working, so I am cautiously optimistic that whatever the problem was the grinder now works.
I don't understand how taking a brush out and putting it back made the grinder work but then 10 minutes later it didn't work. I opened the control door, shut it, the grinder worked, then later it didn't work. The symptoms just don't seem to add up.
I sure don't plan on moving the plug or the cord.
Thanks again for your concern and helpful suggestions.
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Glad it worked out for you!!

Tom, I got a new phone and I lost your number. Are you gonna be home tomorrow? Tuesday 3/24?

I'm gonna be in town for business and I'd like to catch up, if you're available!

My number is four three two 207 9 zero zero 4, feel free to text or call!
 
Alan, I would sure like to see you, but with the C. virus going around we are staying home and avoiding others. After the Coronavirus threat is over I would very much like for you to stop by. I could show you some canister Damascus projects I have made.
I hope you understand our concerns. My Wife and I are both 72 years old and sure don't need to catch the virus. These are strange time we are living in. Hopefully we will all get past this and things will get back to normal.
 
Tom Lewis said:
Alan, I would sure like to see you, but with the C. virus going around we are staying home and avoiding others. After the Coronavirus threat is over I would very much like for you to stop by. I could show you some canister Damascus projects I have made.
I hope you understand our concerns. My Wife and I are both 72 years old and sure don't need to catch the virus. These are strange time we are living in. Hopefully we will all get past this and things will get back to normal.
Click to expand...

I completely understand, and I hesitated to ask, but I recently moved down south of Alpine, TX so it was convenient...

Anyway, I'll make sure to get back up this way again once this whole debacle is over! Best wishes to you and yours!

Drop me a text if you can, so I can store your # on this new phone! I look forward to seeing what you are working on these days!
 
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