Thread: GMF Grinder - Capacitor Mounting Query ( and a hopeful scrounge )

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

The remaining nut is one of those cheap stamped out things. It measures .250" across the flats. I have had a fruitless search on Ebay AU, USA and UK. I'm wondering if anyone may have a spare, possibly languishing in a Vegemite jar on a shelf in their shed, that they would be prepared to part company with. If someone does, I will forward them a stamped self address envelope to minimise any inconvenience. If not, I'll make one.

Bob.

I'll have a look at work Bob. Needless to say we have everything Whitworth at work although sadly, British Standard Whitworth is steadily creeping in.

Phil

I have some. Send me your address and I'll post 'em.

Jordan

Hi BT,
You're after a pressed unplated nut? Or will a machined plated nut do? Assuming no one else can find one?

There is a difference between Whitworth and British Standard Whitworth??

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

There is a difference between Whitworth and British Standard Whitworth??

Stuart

Thought you'ld never ask Stuart.
The nuts, and bolt heads on Whitworth are bigger than BSW.
They had to save on steel during World War 2 so re-designed a bit and came up with BSW.

Phil

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

I have an 8" grinder that apart from needing a lick of paint, has a loose capacitor. Originally it was soldered to a strap which in turn was fixed, maybe spot welded, to a cover plate. The capacitor appears to be in OK condition and I would like to fix it in its intended position. It had been pushed up amongst the wiring and was probably like it for at least the past twenty years. I can't re-solder it in place so I'm thinking along the lines of some sort of strap.

Here's the question, given the grinder's age which I would imagine to be at least 40 years, should I replace the capacitor with a new equivalent?

Fortunately the broken Ring-Grip switch is identical to some switches I removed from a Rowco GPO. The grinder's switch had one 1/8" BSW fixing nut missing. The remaining nut is one of those cheap stamped out things. It measures .250" across the flats. I have had a fruitless search on Ebay AU, USA and UK. I'm wondering if anyone may have a spare, possibly languishing in a Vegemite jar on a shelf in their shed, that they would be prepared to part company with. If someone does, I will forward them a stamped self address envelope to minimise any inconvenience. If not, I'll make one.

Bob.

Hi Bob.
yes I recommend you to replace that old oil cap with the new one ( motor stater type).
nice grinder by the ways,

Peter

I have hundreds of them as I am a bit of a magpie when it comes to nuts and bolts (anything really). Hardly ever use them and happy to assist.

Dean

I'm always wary of old capacitors, transformers, fluoro ballasts and the like, in case they might contain a chemical called Polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, which was used for its excellent insulation property. It's reportedly a cumulative toxin and not nice stuff.

Jordan

Put those jars back Boys, I've sent Jordan a PM. Thank you all for your kind offers. And thank you Phil for that BSW enlightenment.

Now comes the tricky bit. If I replace the tin capacitor what do I replace it with?

BT

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

If I replace the tin capacitor what do I replace it with?

Ask for a cap suitable for capacitor start induction motors.
Look for one with the same specs as printed on your existing cap - 4 microfarads and 440 volts AC.

Jordan

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Put those jars back Boys, I've sent Jordan a PM. Thank you all for your kind offers. And thank you Phil for that BSW enlightenment.

Now comes the tricky bit. If I replace the tin capacitor what do I replace it with?

BT

Hi BT.
something's like these will do the job.
Motor Capacitors 2uF 4uF 8uF 10uF 12uF 16uF 20uF | eBay

Peter

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Put those jars back Boys, I've sent Jordan a PM. Thank you all for your kind offers. And thank you Phil for that BSW enlightenment.

Now comes the tricky bit. If I replace the tin capacitor what do I replace it with?

BT

They are actually in a new fangled plastic drawer set. I have given up on the jars. My father used to nail the lids under a shelf to hold them out of the way but visible.

For those who don't know, another useful fact about Whitworth, related to Phils comment. The size of a Whitworth spanner is the diameter of the bolt in use. Ie 5/16" W fits the nut or bolt head for a 5/16" bolt. Except when they redesigned during WW2 they dropped down a nut/bolt head size so now the size of the spanner is one size bigger than the nut/bolt head. A 5/16" bolt requires a 1/4" spanner.

A couple of years ago I inherited a heap of my fathers Whitworth spanners after my mother did a final clean up when selling the house. I also have a socket set that I have had for 35 years which includes Whitworth. Sometimes they come in handy.

End of Useless Useful information.

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

They are actually in a new fangled plastic drawer set. I have given up on the jars. My father used to nail the lids under a shelf to hold them out of the way but visible.

For those who don't know, another useful fact about Whitworth, related to Phils comment. The size of a Whitworth spanner is the diameter of the bolt in use. Ie 5/16" W fits the nut or bolt head for a 5/16" bolt. Except when they redesigned during WW2 they dropped down a nut/bolt head size so now the size of the spanner is one size bigger than the nut/bolt head. A 5/16" bolt requires a 1/4" spanner.

A couple of years ago I inherited a heap of my fathers Whitworth spanners after my mother did a final clean up when selling the house. I also have a socket set that I have had for 35 years which includes Whitworth. Sometimes they come in handy.

End of Useless Useful information.

Dean

I didn't know about the WW2 resizing. Now I know the background behind the double size marking on some of my spanners. Nailed lids were pretty common in the old days. Jars dangling down full of stuff to good to sling out. I have my old man's Sidchrome Whitworth socket set, he probably bought them in the late fifties, I used them on a AJS and a BSA in the '70s, now they fit some of the Hercus bolts.

BT

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

I didn't know about the WW2 resizing. Now I know the background behind the double size marking on some of my spanners. Nailed lids were pretty common in the old days. Jars dangling down full of stuff to good to sling out. I have my old man's Sidchrome Whitworth socket set, he probably bought them in the late fifties, I used them on a AJS and a BSA in the '70s, now they fit some of the Hercus bolts.

BT

did you know that 5/16 bolts and nuts you get at hardware stores are in fact still bsw hex heads!

never ever toss you BSW spanners out

Originally Posted by eskimo

did you know that 5/16 bolts and nuts you get at hardware stores are in fact still bsw hex heads!

never ever toss you BSW spanners out

No I won't chuck them out Richard. It is surprising how often BSW is encountered. I have amassed a fair collection of BSW spanners over the years, Sidchrome, Gordon, Britool even Stahlwille.

BT