Machine electrician in Minneapolis?

[Ultradog MN]

II have a Really nice Solberga drill press.
It is the nicest of all my machines.
It has a very complicated electrical system - drill, auto reverse tapping, two speed motor etc.
The main switch grenaded on me and I am just sick about it.
I need to hire someone to repair it. NOT gonna even try this myself.
Does anyone know of a machine electrician in or near the Twin Cities that could rewire it for me?
What I want is to keep the L/H + F/R but have a foot pedal for reversing.
Thanks for any leads on someone local who could do it.

 

[jwmay]

I’d call the local Union shop and ask them if they know anyone A lot of those guys moonlight.

Also, you probably already know this, but there’s a guy with a video series on YouTube on a Solberga drill press. You may find you’re entirely up to that task. FWIW, I think you could handle it.

 

[markba633csi]

Do you have the factory diagrams?

 

[Eddyde]

If it's just the switch that malfunctioned, it shouldn't be a difficult repair. Even if an exact replacement isn't available, all switches have a number of Poles and Throws that designate their function. A vast number of functions are available so a suitable replacement should be obtainable.

 

[woodchucker]

II have a Really nice Solberga drill press.
It is the nicest of all my machines.
It has a very complicated electrical system - drill, auto reverse tapping, two speed motor etc.
The main switch grenaded on me and I am just sick about it.
I need to hire someone to repair it. NOT gonna even try this myself.
Does anyone know of a machine electrician in or near the Twin Cities that could rewire it for me?
What I want is to keep the L/H + F/R but have a foot pedal for reversing.
Thanks for any leads on someone local who could do it.

Pics of the switch and schematic?

 

[Ultradog MN]

Just to be clear, I am not willing to do this myself. There are just too many wires.
I would like to hire someone who is skilled in wiring machines not a guy who wires the factory.
And I have always disliked how high I have to reach to reverse it and would much rather have a foot pedal to reverse it.
Solberga went out of business in the late 1980s. There isn't much out there as to schematics - mechanical Or electrical on these drills and what I have found is is Swedish.

 

[woodchucker]

That's the type of switch I expected. They are readily available. Have you considered moving the switch to a more convenient place and adding a simple power foot switch to turn it on and off. If it's 120 or 220 those switches are readily available, and if you just extend the wiring to a new box you can mount it in reach. Power would be at the plug that way, no mods to the unit, other than extending the wires (easy peasy).

 

[Eddyde]

I understand you don't want to do the actual replacement, a wise choice if you are not comfortable with electrical work. However, we can help you identify the part, so you can order a replacement. It looks like a 5 position (Throw), 7 pole, Rotary Cam switch. To help confirm, is 28 the highest terminal number?

 

[markba633csi]

First thing to do is to document the switch as it is now and the wire colors and where they connect.
Also note where the jumpers are (I see several)
Keeping good notes is important
Also you want to photograph the motor terminal board or data plate
What voltage is the machine running on? Is it 3-phase?

Adding the foot switch would have to be done later once the basic circuit has been identified
You would need to add a relay or two for foot pedal reversing I'm fairly sure- most foot pedal switches
only have a limited number of poles

 

[Ultradog MN]

I understand you don't want to do the actual replacement, a wise choice if you are not comfortable with electrical work. However, we can help you identify the part, so you can order a replacement. It looks like a 5 position (Throw), 7 pole, Rotary Cam switch. To help confirm, is 28 the highest terminal number?

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