Refurbished motor--right in the middle of a watch cleaning!

[LittleWatchShop]

I was cleaning a watch today.  Had already done the clean stage and had started the rinse...bam!  The motor quit.

So, for the next two hours, I was refurbishing this motor.  It had been hacked by earlier watchmakers...found a lousy solder joint that finally said "No more."

I took the opportunity to do a thorough cleaning and rewiring.

Working now.

I have another L&R that has a motor problem...similar motor...so this was a good trial run to fixing it.

[thor447]

I sort of feel bad, but sort of not!!!  I purchased an L&R machine from @LittleWatchShopthe other day, which is currently in the hands of UPS.  I get a text from him saying 'The day I ship your machine, my cleaning machine dies!".   I sort of felt bad until he told me later that he got his fixed.  LWS is a man of many talents it seems!

[clockboy]

Perhaps it’s L&R,s were designed to keep us on our toes. The second time I used my L&R it caught alight. What fun. 
I did have it subsequently re- wired and refurbished. 

[LittleWatchShop]

7 hours ago, thor447 said:

LWS is a man of many talents it seems!

I tell my friends and neighbors: "I can fix it if you can break it."  However, I have thrown in the towel a few times!

[LittleWatchShop]

I just opened up the other non-functioning motor. Other than the fact that the brush mount was broken, the motor works.  Most likely, I can 3D print another mount.  But the wiring must be replaced.  These old motors are very robust, but wiring in the 50s was not durable.  Insulation cracks and crumbles.

[oldhippy]

Old boys don't last for ever. We all need a little attention I certainly do that is why I love Thursdays because my cleaning lady comes.  

[LittleWatchShop]

On 11/29/2022 at 11:29 AM, LittleWatchShop said:

I just opened up the other non-functioning motor. Other than the fact that the brush mount was broken, the motor works.  Most likely, I can 3D print another mount.  But the wiring must be replaced.  These old motors are very robust, but wiring in the 50s was not durable.  Insulation cracks and crumbles.

Progress.  I disassembled the motor, cleaned it, oiled the bearings, and re-wired it.  The housing for one of the brushes was busted, so I 3D printed a threaded cover and a screw that functions very nearly like the original.  I tested the motor and it works.  Now to rebuild the rest of the machine.

Edited November 30, 2022 by LittleWatchShop
Not->>Now

[LittleWatchShop]

I snagged this Hamilton Beach mixer motor off ebay for a good price...for a backup if needed for future cleaner repairs.  It was missing the brushes that are round.  I could not find any, but I did find square ones where the dimension of the side was equal to the diameter I needed, so I bought four sets for cheap.

Then I turned them on the lathe.  I was surprised at how well they turned out.

I do not have the cap screws, but I assembled the motor anyway (had to rewire it) and held the brushes in with rodico.  The motor works.  Now to solve the cap screw issue.

Edited December 27, 2022 by LittleWatchShop

[LittleWatchShop]

OK, I downloaded some grub (cap) screws from McMaster-Carr and printed them (had to scale them up by 10%).

They work!

[xyzzy]

Brushes get hot, don't they? Wonder if the printed screws will melt?