Subject says it all.

When I turn on my mill, the motor just barely turns and then evidently the breaker kicks in and the mill shuts off. If I let the belt loose (I converted the mill to belt drive), the motor will spin, but as soon as I put any pressure on it, it quits. After a few minutes, it will stay running, but it sounds like it is straining. Eventually (2-3 minutes) it will come up to speed.

IF I need a new motor, any recommendations? There has to be something better than the stock one.

edit: I just went down and tried it after having it sit for about an hour and it started right up. I think I still want to look for a different motor.
Mike

Have you checked the brushes?
I'm pretty sure it's a brushed motor. A brush might be stuck in the brush holder. If you take the brushes out, make sure you mark them it identify where they came from and which orientation they have.

You could probably bring the motor to a repair shop, who will probably-check the brushes and make sure there are not shorts in the commutator.

Have you checked the brushes?
I'm pretty sure it's a brushed motor. A brush might be stuck in the brush holder. If you take the brushes out, make sure you mark them it identify where they came from and which orientation they have.

You could probably bring the motor to a repair shop, who will probably-check the brushes and make sure there are not shorts in the commutator.

No...never really thought of checking the brushes. I thought the unit was a sealed unit. I'll have to take a look at that.
Thanks
Mike

While you have the brushes out look inside at the Commutator that the brushes ride on. Sometimes they can get glazed up and make a motor act up. Also check the springs on the brushes sometimes the heat kills them and they arent strong enough to keep contact anymore. If all else fails there is a 3 phase/vfd combo or treadmill. I havent tried either on my small mill but am leaning toward a larger treadmill motor and controller for my lathe.

my x3 did this ,bought new brushes no change ,so asked the helpfull folk at arc eurotrade they tell me that they often get this at this time of year
damp in the motor windings
so i sprayed some wd40 in the motor then left it a wee while blew it out with
an airline and off it went ,if it sits for a week or so it does the same again
also check the earth wire's not shorted to the live ,this wont help either ,mine did

I'll check the brushes tonite if I get some time.

I was almost hoping there was an upgrade to do to the mill if I need to replace the motor. I searched around for "motor replacement" and "motor upgrade" on the site but did not find much.

Thanks
Mike

If you just want to have a spare or replace yours, I have a used one you can have fairly cheap. About 1/3 of what a new one would cost you. I would throw in the controller alone if interested.
If you want to upgrade, with a little modification to the pulleys and the motor, you could use a treadmill motor off Ebay and the larger controller from Surplus Center. Thats what I use now on 220 volts though. It's pretty strong. I can no longer bog the motor down.
I think I have links to those on my mill build. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32609