Grinder Smokin after turning it upside down!

V

Vulcanite

Joined
Jan 16, 2009
Messages
293
I have a wilton 2x42 belt/disc grinder. I figured that if I turned it upside down it would be pretty sweet for honing/sharpening. It sits quite well on its back actually.

Seconds after I turned it on, the motor sounded a little funny, smoked a little and the power strip it was plugged into tripped open?

I didn't know how the orientation of the motor could matter, just a regular AC induction motor w/ permanantly sealed greased bearings. I looked at the parts blow up of the motor and there is no sump or anything.

Perhaps... the motor housing has got full of wood/metal dust?? Do you have any issues w/ this? It is a fan cooled motor.

I put it aright and ran it a little bit (w/o load), and it is running alright though maybe it starts alittle slower and sounds slightly different...I dunno.

It is out of warranty so I guess I'll take it apart a little bit and vacuum it out. If I get it cleaned out good, is there any reason I couln't turn it upside down???

I though about buying that Harbor freight 1x30 for sharpening upside down, I just don't have a lot of room on my work bench so I figured i'd have a go at flipping the wilton. Maybe I should just get that little HF unit after all...
 
Chances are when you turned it upside down, the collection of metal filings and dust got disturbed inside the motor and started shorting out. These motors have air slots for cooling and are usually located so that dust and dirt will not come into contact with the windings and armature, but by turning the motor upside down it cannot work as designed.

Open the motor housing and blow out any dirt, and you may yet get lucky and save the motor.
 
So is this going to be a persistent problem in the future if I want to flip the machine back and forth? Maybe I should just get that little harbor freight grinder and always leave it upside down and always leave my big grinder right side up. I will clean it out and hope for the best but I had better find out how much the motor parts are going to cost. Would I have to go to the manufacturer for that or mike g
 
... am I going to have to get a motor from the manufacturer if I need 1 or can I get 1 from another source do you think?

Damn I wish someone could have warned me a bout that.
 
Most of the real good griders have a totally enclosed motor. Why do you need to flip the grinder over? Wouldn't it be easier to turn the knife over?
 
If you r jus sharpenin 1 knife it is easier but it ir very uncomfortable to hold the knife consistent and look down and see wat ur doin. When the belt us at a 45 or flat and runnin away from u it is comfortable, east to see and to have a steady hand. You can just stand there with your elbows at your sides and see the edge w a downward glance. Ill not want to be fluppin my $375 starter grinder over aftr I clean it. Ill keep it ariggt an get a HF grinder for $40 and keep it upside down always for sharpening.
 
It is a wilton 2x42. Have emailed wilton/Jet and the place I bought it to see if I can get replacement parts from them if the motor is cheap. If not, maybe the local autorized svc center will sell them to me w/o raping me too hard...

I'll let you know what they say and what I find when I take it apart.

Last reply was on my smart phone, is why I typed so poorly.
 
Vulcanite said:
If you r jus sharpenin 1 knife it is easier but it ir very uncomfortable to hold the knife consistent and look down and see wat ur doin. When the belt us at a 45 or flat and runnin away from u it is comfortable, east to see and to have a steady hand. You can just stand there with your elbows at your sides and see the edge w a downward glance. Ill not want to be fluppin my $375 starter grinder over aftr I clean it. Ill keep it ariggt an get a HF grinder for $40 and keep it upside down always for sharpening.
Click to expand...

Sometimes it is not possible to see what is going on when steel is in contact with the grinder and one has to get the feel for the work. That comes with some time and experience and is just part of the knifemaking craft. Use light pressure and check your work often.
 
update. I cleaned it out and it seems to be fine. No visual damage. Also, it is fairly easy to take apart and change parts if I have too. I am gonna keep that unit upright from now on though.
 
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