I noticed that the last few times I ran my Clemens lathe with 1/10th HP motor, something was burning. I would stop, wait a few minutes and finish up. Today, I saw sparks inside the motor, and it was very hot to the touch. Can someone tell me what is happening? Is my motor about to burn out?

You may have a set of bad or worn brushes. I have not opened one of these particular motors but on many the brushes are replaceable.

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Any time I sand cork my 1/10 motor smokes and smells. It sill turns but sometime I have to hit it or turn it by hand to get it started. That can cause trouble when l wrapping rods at the other end from the motor. Going to keep it as long as it works as I've only had it a few months.

Check youe brushes. Email Dick French about your motor
Bob

Billy, I also have the Clemens 1/10th h.p. lathe (about 2 yrs old). As part of the operating instructions they advise removing the chuck periodically and running the motor at full tilt boogie for one full minute to clean the armature and brushes of the junk that builds up from the slow start and stop stuff that we do when power wrapping threads. You might give that a try if you have never done it.

When you check the brushes you should also check condition of commutator as it may need stoning so the new brushes will seat but only if it has visual problem from arcing , dirt, etc.

My guess is your are using it to turn your cork grips. Too much pressure and you burn up the motor. This I know from personal experience. Get a motor with more horsepower. That 1/10 hp motor was not designed in mind to run under the heavy load you can get when sanding grips. I use the little guy for thread work and a bigger motor for use as a lathe.

That's my opinion but I could be wrong.

The 1/10 HP motor we are talking about here is actually quite strong and has more than enough power for turning cork and EVA grips. It is a night and day difference between the standard 1/15 HP and the 1/10 HP. I'm sure you could damage it with enough load and over enough time, but it appears to easily handle the load created by turning cork. I cannot say the same for the 1/15 HP motor though.

If I were buying a lathe of this type, the 1/10 HP is the one I would recommend for all-around wrapping and turning use.


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