Electric switch help

[Marty Rose]

Yesterday I purchased a Stationary belt sander,made in the 40's. The switch is 110,and has a pooched out area on the side. The switch is non-fuctional and I would like to replace it. Will a stadard 110 switch work? The present switch when you place it in the on position,will automaticaly go to the off position,much like a tripped circurt braker which is no good. I hope someone can help me with my problem Thanks.

[Lee Schierer]

My jointer is wired with a light switch. Just make sure the plug, cord and switch are rated for the current load of the motor and the wiring is all done inside acceptable boxes.

[Chris Friesen]

The key question is the HP rating of the motor. Ideally you would want a switch rated for that or higher.

[Marty Rose]

The motor is a 1/4 horse, G.E. and old. Not sure it works yet. I will take your advice about the hp rating and see if it works. Marty

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Marty.....is the original switch going off....when the motor is unplugged?Or is it doing it when power is applied?If it's doing it when power is applied,....maybe it is a circuit breaker and the motor has a short in it.....

[Marty Rose]

The switch will not stay in the ON POSITION, I did plug it in but nothing changed, (smoke test). If I could take a picture of the switch and post it, I would so everyone could see. In checking with a neighbor,he concured that the pooched out area on the switch might be a built in circurt breaker. This mach. was used in a mach. shop,and it might have been used around water,or other liquids?