Old Bandsaw Motor Problems

**dkdude7** · 07-25-2012, 06:31 PM

I have a very old bandsaw and motor. Right now, the motor still works - kind of. When I turn on the band saw, it take about 5 sec to get up to speed, which it did not do a few days ago. Next, I can saw for about 15 sec until the motor starts to smoke. I don't know if I should go for a different motor(I can't find an identical one anywhere) or see if I can fix it.
I do not know what is wrong with the motor and did not know if anyone could guess.
Here is the manual for it:
http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=2920

Thanks,
Derek

**FrankC** · 07-26-2012, 09:35 AM

Sounds like the motor is only running on starting windings and not switching to main windings, if you remove the belt and start the motor do you hear a click when it gets up to speed?

Have you tried blowing the sawdust out of it, sometimes this helps but the smoke you mention is never a good thing.

**MagGeorge** · 07-26-2012, 04:45 PM

I like the link that you posted. I have nothing but respect for people who gave so much of their time and money for vintage machines restoration.

**dkdude7** · 07-27-2012, 11:07 AM

I don't really here a cllick, but before it starts smoking, I start to smell something funny. I don't know if that helps.
Thanks,
Derek

**FrankC** · 07-28-2012, 10:16 AM

With that type of motor there should be a definite click when it comes up to speed.

1/3 Hp motors are very common, and can be picked up used for very little so if it is a matter of getting back to work that is probably your best option unless it is important to have a motor from the same period as the saw.

**dkdude7** · 07-28-2012, 03:17 PM

Ok thanks. I have no idea where to get one though... I have been searching for a while

**Ironman50** · 07-31-2012, 03:33 PM

Old machines work just fine. Sometimes, even better . Problem is, parts are hard to find.

**Fishinbo** · 08-06-2012, 04:35 PM

You are lucky if replacement parts for the old machine are not drying up.

**bosox** · 08-13-2012, 03:56 PM

Old machines? Try this site: vintagemachinery.org or owwm.org. The site is all about vintage machines, maybe you can find what you’re searching for there.

**BreeStephany** · 08-24-2012, 07:39 PM

You likely have a bad coil. If you are wanting to keep the saw original, you can take the saw in and have it rebuilt by a rewinding shop, otherwise, you can order a new motor with the same frame size and bolt pattern.

You can get a rough idea of what it would cost for rewinding / rebuilding here - http://eurtonelectric.com/catalog/motorreplaceform

With a bit of searching, you can probably find a similar sized motor on ebay. Just depends on what you want to do with the saw in regards to keeping it original .