my $20 drill press has stopped working!

[jueston]

about a year and a half ago i got a drill press of CL for $20. it was obviously not the best drill press ever made, but it did drill a hole which is what i asked of it.

after about 6 or 7 months it would have some trouble starting up for the first time each day, it would turn a half turn then stop, then i figured out that if i warmed the motor up with a heater it would stat up, but then last week it stopped working all together.

i would love to replace my $20 drill press with a new $400 drill press but i am saving up for an engagement ring, so i'd like to get enough year or so out of this one.

i intend on taking this motor apart and poking around. i don't know anything about electric motors, but from my 20 minutes of internet research this morning, i suspect the the capacitor or the brushes...

unless anyone would like to donate a drill press to me, i'd appreciate any advice on what to look for when i open the motor up.

[Larry]

Most larger AC motors do not have brushes.  Most single phase motors for drill presses are started with a capacitor.  Most motor capacitor's hide out in a rounded hump or maybe a box on the outside of the motor.

From your very limited description I would guess you have a weak capacitor.  If you can find the capacitor and its not too hard to remove you can take it to a electric motor shop.  Most will test for free...takes 15 seconds.  If bad they can sell you a replacement for $10 or less.

This is just a guess based on not very much information.  Pictures of the motor could help with a diagnoses. 

[jueston]

i took a picture of the capacitor and found one of similar voltage at a surplus store, i connected the new capacitor with little alligator clip jumpers and its starting well now. so i just need to figure out how to mount the new capacitor as it is slightly larger then the old one and won't fit into the metal bump out the old one fit into. but i don't need it to be too pretty just functional till i can get a proper drill press.

thanks for the help.

[Larry]

Besides voltage capacitors also have a micro farad rating.  Not too critical and so long as it starts.  Glad you got it going.

A little late but be careful with the juice.  Only work on it when its unplugged.  Capacitors can also hold a charge after the electric is turned off.  That charge can range from zero to full line voltage.   

[Wick]

Does the old cap still have the model # on it. If so, match that up with the replacement. If it's not obsolete. Then it will be the same size and fit the designed location. Even if it's old I would think you could find some on Ebay or something. As Larry said, the rating should be stamped on there as well.

[jueston]

the old one was:
10UF +/- 5%
250 VAC

the new one i found was:
12UF +/- 2%
280 VAC

i know nothing about electrical engineering, but i figured it was close enough to work, and the new one was only $3.50. it seem to be working fine right now.

i might still have a go at finding the exact match online, since the new one is slightly larger and won't fit in the holder the old one did, so i don't know exactly how to mount it.

the old cap is straight from china and the only markings other than the ones listed above are cbb60, when i put that in Google i get a hundred different kinds, so i need to search through and try and find the one i am looking for.

[Wick]

I think the cbb60 is the model. Yeah looks readily avilable. This is the first one I clicked on. It's in your range.

http://store.eurtonelectric.com/capacitorcbb60-a210uf250vac.aspx

May find a cheeper one somehere else.

[Wick]

I meant to add, the dimensions are included in the table.