Drill Press Problem

[Kcoogan]

My drill press suddenly wont get up to speed. I have to getting it turning by hand but it barley runs. Anyone have an idea whats up? Its an older 13 inch craftsman floor standing unit.

 

[driz]

I know it's the obvious but normally it's the belt slipping on the pulleys. Did you tighten the clamp a bit to snug the belts?

 

[Richard Cranium]

could be a bearing? take the belt off and turn it on and see if the motor starts, If it does then the bearing on the drill press are bad, If it don't run still it is in the motor.

 

[matt_i]

As suggested, I would remove the belt and see if the motor can start and get to synchronous speed by itself (turning no load). If that works you likely have a bearing issue, something else is dragging, or could be a start capacitor gone bad in the motor.

 

[carap]

Most of these small H.P motors are split-phase motors. They have a starting and running winding. The starting winding is automatically removed by a centrifugal switch as the motor accelerates. These switches can go out and not energize the start winding.

 

[Kcoogan]

I took the belt off. It will start if I assist but it wont get up to speed. Would the capacitor allow it to run slow.\?

 

[boomer12831]

Had a similar problem on my band saw and it was the capacitor, Ed

 

[Cyberbear]

As mentioned, check the capacitor and centrifugal switch, these are the usual causes. The internal switch sometimes needs cleaning and a little oil, the capacitor might require replacement. Try Sears parts Online. My Craftsman drill press is from the 1960's.

 

[driz]

Yank that motor off and take it to ye old local electric motor shop. Preferably the mom and pop type that some guy started in his garage back in the 60's type. They can test it in a couple of minutes and repair prices are dirt cheap. If it's toast they will likely be the best place to get a motor from as well.
A fella I know gave me an old heavy duty grinder from his father had kicked around with forever back in the 60's. It didn't work and cord was all cracked. Nice grinder though and made of that exotic metal called "heavy steel", long extinct from the consumer arena. I took that to the local electric motor shop and the guy tossed in a capacitor , I replaced the cord and it is perfect after cleaning up some. Cost me $17. The guy told me those old motors, unlike most of todays light weight Chinese trash can be rebuilt over and over. I have taken a couple others in over the years and he didn't even charge me to test them and it only takes a minute.

 

[metalmagpie]

The dirt-cheap motor repair shop is as extinct around Seattle as a dodo bird. But I'd encourage the OP to tear down their motor, take pictures and post them. He might even (shudder) learn something!

metalmagpie

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I've had this happen on a belt grinder and my table saw.

Both times replacing the capacitor(s) fixed the problem.

Phil

 

[Kcoogan]

Thanks. I'm going to give that a try.

 

[404]

Another capacitor vote. The technology in them has always been and still remains a pain in the ***. Starting caps have a fluid in them (electrolyte) that evaporates over time.

 

[fsae0607]

Here ya go

http://www.mcmaster.com/#motor-maintenance-controls/=10qkumo