Oregon grinder stopped working

[Jusgunn3]

Hey gents, have used my grinder in a while and when I went to turn it on it just hums and will not spin. Any ideas?

 

[Duane(Pa)]

You tried flicking the wheel manually?

 

[Jusgunn3]

You tried flicking the wheel manually?

I can move the wheel manually but it does not turn when I turn the motor on.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

I’m talking about “helping” it with the switch turned on…

 

[EFSM]

It could be in the switch, although I don’t know what your setup is. I have an old Foley Belsaw grinder that would just hum but would start spinning if you flicked the wheel. Turned out the switch had two circuits, one of which apparently supplied the capacitors, and that part of the switch had melted. I repaired the melted switching plunger with a fitting from a plastic primer base, which worked for another few years until the switch burned out entirely.

 

[Jusgunn3]

I’m talking about “helping” it with the switch turned on…

I have not tried that, I will give it a go

 

[Duane(Pa)]

I have not tried that, I will give it a go

Carefully…

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Starting cap died?
How old a unit? Might call Ore and see if they will warranty it.

 

[cuttin]

Sounds like a stuck centrifugal switch or start capacitor. The centrifugal switch cuts power from the start capacitor after it helps get the rotor turning on a single phase motor. If it was three phase, you wouldn't need it. The hum you're hearing is more than likely due to not having the capacitor helping to initiate rotation.
You can carefully discharge and test capacitor to confirm.

 

[Jusgunn3]

Thanks all, it’s an older unit I got second had from a small shop that closed down. I would assume it has quite a bit of use.

 

[Woodtroll]

My first guess would be start capacitor, as already mentioned. Cheaper than a motor!

 

[blades]

replacement motor apx $279.oo. Likely , as was said, starter circuit bad.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

replacement motor apx $279.oo. Likely , as was said, starter circuit bad.

Can’t just change the starter or is it built in some way?

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Can’t just change the starter or is it built in some way?

You'll need to take the motor apart and then search for the right starting capacitor.

 

[Jusgunn3]

I bought a capacitor on eBay, going to give it a try I guess…

 

[Jusgunn3]

Well gents, got the grinder apart and changed the capacitor and it fired right up. When putting it back together somehow I broke the on/off switch…so that is now on order. The capacitor sits inside he housing underneath the switch so not need to disassemble the motor itself just the surrounding pieces. Will up date once I replace the switch and hope its good.

 

[Woodtroll]

Well gents, got the grinder apart and changed the capacitor and it fired right up. When putting it back together somehow I broke the on/off switch…so that is now on order. The capacitor sits inside he housing underneath the switch so not need to disassemble the motor itself just the surrounding pieces. Will up date once I replace the switch and hope its good.

Good news, thanks for the update! Glad it was something simple and relatively inexpensive.