Rockwell grinder slowing down

[BuddyC01]

I got this grinder at an estate sale over 30 years ago when estate sales were more something I tagged along with my wife for. It's got a great, heavy stand with a truck brake drum for a base. It's been a great grinder and done a lot. Lately I've noticed I can really slow the motor down with little effort. Is there some maintenance I could/should do to keep this running several more years?

Thanks
BuddyC

 

[plow]

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[BottomLineReviews]

I would definitely go through and clean all of the electrical connections, and very closely inspect all electrical wires and connections. Also, look at the brushes.

 

[Zeke]

Not sure that grinder used brushes. It may be that the insulation on the windings has gotten to hot.

 

[My Old Tools]

Might be ready for bearings.

 

[BuddyC01]

Brushes was my first thought but I wondered if it might be brushless.

 

[exmaxima1]

I got this grinder at an estate sale over 30 years ago when estate sales were more something I tagged along with my wife for. It's got a great, heavy stand with a truck brake drum for a base. It's been a great grinder and done a lot. Lately I've noticed I can really slow the motor down with little effort. Is there some maintenance I could/should do to keep this running several more years?

Thanks
BuddyC

That's a Baldor 1/3hp grinder branded for Rockwell. It has no brushes or centrifugal switch (it uses a current sense relay like "block" grinders). So very little as far as maintenance. Chances are you are just getting used to it and pushing it too hard, and if the wheel hasn't been dressed in awhile it will drag down the motor. Not much to go wrong with those grinders. You could try plugging it in somewhere else and see if it makes a difference.

 

[BuddyC01]

Good info..... Thanks!

 

[larry4406]

By chance do you have more electrical items sharing the same circuit now than you did prior? Circuit overload?

 

[BuddyC01]

By chance do you have more electrical items sharing the same circuit now than you did prior? Circuit overload?

No, good point though.

 

[venturesomerite]

If it is an estate/tag sale find, you don't know the history obviously. Start with easy stuff. Blow out any and all dust. Make sure to cord, connections and plug are all good. Dress the wheel. Try in another outlet with a load/job you have noticed it bogging on.


I had one old grinder (angle not bench) that has a break in the wire, would bog under load or vibration just right, I believe it was just connecting/un connecting power a lot. New cord and end solved it. Worth a try.