drill press motor quit?

[johncedarhill]

Thanks for all the replies. Well when I came home last night I took the switch apart and found the white wires were connected together bypassing the switch and only the black were wired into the switch. I fiddled around with the switch and connections for a while.   I took the Cap cover off again and looked at it and concluded the wires were connected inside the motor housing making changing it a little more exciting and difficult.  I slid the DP closer to the wall and tried plugging into the wall socket.  I removed the CO analyzer and plugged into the socket.  I checked the continuity of the four gang extension cord my father in law made many years ago before he died. This baby is heavy duty.  Everything checked out OK continuity wise.I plugged lamps into the extension cord.  I spent an hour looking for the multimeter but could not find it.  I got a harbor freight 1.99 coupon for a meter in email specials.  I figured well for 1.99 I can get a cheasy meter but it is  a half hour each way. I am not going to buy parts until I know what really is wrong. So finally I decided that I would plug the DP into every possible location.  I don't know why I decided to do this but I figured before I take a trip which I really don't want to make I will give it a try.  Keep in mind that wherever it was plugged in there was a voltage supply to the motor as indicated by my voltage sniffer.  So back to the basement I went.  I flipped the DP switch and grabbed the plug and stuck it into the plug above the one I plugged into several times in the extension box. Welll-  whrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.   The guy is running.  This is so EMBARASSING! Not that I have not had embarrassing moments before.  Of course it could be worse--I could have gotten a new motor.    I am going to mark the outlet that works. Alls well that ends well as the bard says.

[Truman]

That's good news John! While youv'e got your screwdrivers out, unplug the multiplug and open her up. You don't want a loose wire in there! It may only be the contacts need closing up a bit but it's best to play safe! Happy drilling...

[davee1]

John, having worked in electronics/electricity since 1976...I can tell you that this is a common thing, no need to be embarrassed.

My co-workers and I used to laugh everyday to break up the frustration of finding out that there was no power. Things like "it helps if there's power" were yelled out every day...and then everyone had a hearty laugh. Our complicated approaches to problems often lead us on a complicated path. We are prepared for the worst...but overlook the best.

I cant tell you how many times this kind of thing has happened to me, but it has to be in the hundreds by now.

[johncedarhill]

You would love my almost 100 year old house where the switches are wired on the ground not the positive like the modern homes. When you plug a lamp into the socket and then plug the DP into the same one and it does not work, you start going down the yellow brick less traveled road.

[Jaymo]

John, you'd be amazed at how many times I go on service calls for a no start/no run situation(forklift mechanic) and find the LP coupler not screwed in all the way, the LP tank valve closed. Or go on an electric lift service call about a battery that is not charging, only to find the customer is plugging the battery charger into the plug on the truck, not the one on the battery. They're always embarrassed about it, and I tell them no to feel bad(until they get the bill) because of how often it happens.