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Lights dim when using old drill press

thundermug

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 10, 2012
Messages
1,173
Location
usa
I'm a little concerned that something is wrong with my drill press motor. What do the experts think?

Just got a 1950s drill press with a GE motor. Tag on motor says 4.8 amps. I plug it in, turn it on, and the lights in the room dim by 50%.

Our newish vacuum is 12 amps and the lights dim by maybe 25%. I am using the same outlet for both machines (not at the same time, obviously). I figure that more amps = more power draw = dimmer lights.

Do old motors, due to their size, use power less efficiently? What the heck is going on here? I guess it's hard to know without being here and seeing for yourself.

Thinking about getting rid of the drill press and buying a hand crank drill press from 1890. That'll fix it.

Drill press motor tag:
https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/q71/7694_661242588212_1009838313_n.jpg


Vacuum tag:
https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1470020_661242593202_975889614_n.jpg
 
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Stuart in MN

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Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,157
Location
Minneapolis
A 1/4hp motor shouldn't cause problems, so there's something going on - either the motor needs work or the drill press mechanism. Try running the motor with the drive belt removed to see if it starts easier.
 
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OP
T

thundermug

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 10, 2012
Messages
1,173
Location
usa
Stuart - I removed the belt and it acts the same.

bczygan - I will try it on different circuits tomorrow. Hopefully it will work.
 
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