Sick band saw....

[ChrisF]

Gave the old band saw a good work out today and it's now complaining.  Basically it won't start....hit the start button and it hums but doesn't start.  If I spin the wheel it goes fine at full speed & power, but it won't start on it's own (I'm aware of the H&S implications of having the doors open and spinning the wheel manually to get it started but have carried out a full risk assessment and am perfectly happy with it  ).

Any clues as to what needs repairing/replacing?

[seventhdevil]

i'm no expert so i expect to be corrected but that sounds like the motor is not going to last long?

[fuzzyturns]

Since this is probably a single-phase machine, it would need a capacitor to start the engine in the right direction, and I suspect that's the problem. Capacitors do age more than other components. Should be easy to fix, and not cost the world.

[ChrisF]

Thanks guys, capacitor ordered.  Will see if that does the trick.

[Les Symonds]

I'm a little late joining in to this thread, but I certainly agree that it'll be the capacitor. My big old pillar drill suffered exactly this problem several months ago. Curiously, after starting it a few times by spinning the chuck by hand, it recovered and now works perfectly.
Les

[Bryan Milham]

And I also say change the Motor Start Capacitor if as you say, once you start it it keeps going.

The capacitor causes a phase difference to kick start the motor on a single phase motor, as you describe it is a sure sign the Cap's gone.

[John D Smith]

 Hi Chris,
              A friend had the same problem he cleaned all the dust out of the NVR switch problem solved.

                                                             Regards John

[ChrisF]

Thanks for all the additional replies guys.  I now have the new capacitor so will get the saw out of its corner over the weeked and see what's going on.  It certainly needs a good clean out so we'll see if that makes a difference on its own.

[ChrisF]

Well it took some moving out of its rather messy corner but I eventually got it out and found the capacitor.  I'm guessing it's not supposed to be split and leaking grey gunge??

Swapped it out and all is now good.   Thanks all for the help.

[BrianH]

Whatever you do Chris......SAVE THE GREY GUNGE....you never know when it'll come in handy!!!
Best
Brian