What is this electrical contactor thing for?

[skotl]

Spotted this on the side of my new (to me) Mill;

The round disk near the bottom rotates and has a bevel in it, that the silver wheel rides on.
The wheel has a sprung pole that drives the contacts inside the clear housing.

When the disk is in one position, the contacts make and when it's in the other, the contacts break.
Which position its in affects what happens when you hit the power switch - in one position, the power switch turns the power on and it stays on till you hit the break/off switch.
When the disk is in the other position the power switch acts as a momentary contact - holding it in supplies power but letting go cuts the motor.

Why?

 

[WorkshopChris]

Is there any possibility it was once part of a chuck guard or something similar, so the unit cant be used until the guard is in position.

 

[rtbcomp]

I was thinking some sort of limit switch or interlock.

The reason that the power switch makes momentary contact could be that this switch stops the machine in that position, but the start button overrides it as long as the button is held down. Bad design IMHO.

 

[Wallace]

It's the tool guard microswitch, have a butchers here.

 

[skotl]

It's the tool guard microswitch, have a butchers here.

Ah! That's it. I didn't even check the manual as it looked as if it was an after-market mod.

Looks like the tool guard was removed some time ago, then!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Looks like the tool guard was removed some time ago, then!

So....you'll immediately stop using the mill then?

 

[brightspark]

So....you'll immediately stop using the mill then?

deffo

 

[skotl]

So....you'll immediately stop using the mill then?

deffo

Apologies it took me some time to respond - I've just been out in the garage scrapping the mill.
It's a shame, but you can't be too careful!

 

[scottmk1]

Yes it was part of the safety guard limit switch, please dont sue me if you get your face ripped off by any swarf

 

[skotl]

Yes it was part of the safety guard limit switch, please dont sue me if you get your face ripped off by any swarf

Hah! No worries, Scott - I view it as getting a free-of-charge interconnect switch

As it 'appens, I use a full face mask when on the mill and lathe anyways, so you're off the hook!

 

[scottmk1]

I'm glad to hear it, I also prefer a face mask rather than using the guards on various machines so it never bothered me that the guard was missing.

 

[brightspark]

I'm glad to hear it, I also prefer a face mask rather than using the guards on various machines so it never bothered me that the guard was missing.

that will really save your fingers wearing a mask at least it will muffle your swearing and screaming

 

[scottmk1]

that will really save your fingers wearing a mask at least it will muffle your swearing and screaming

I keep my fingers safe by keeping my hands away from rotating machinery, either by keeping my hands in my pockets or holding a cup of tea

 

[Wedg1e]

I'm glad to hear it, I also prefer a face mask rather than using the guards on various machines so it never bothered me that the guard was missing.

Face mask... clear, as in grinding?
Hockey?
Leather one with grill mouth hole as in Silence Of The Lambs?
One of those that look like The Scream...?
...or Cyberman, as in Sunday Night nightcap...?

 

[rikrobson]

Its probably a Donald Trump Face mask lol

 

[skotl]

Face mask... clear, as in grinding?
Hockey?
Leather one with grill mouth hole as in Silence Of The Lambs?
One of those that look like The Scream...?
...or Cyberman, as in Sunday Night nightcap...?

This is me, and my apprentice

 

[bletchmonster]

Apprentice is a handsome lad

 

[slim_boy_fat]

His name's Bob [think......Blackadder ]

 

[Robotstar5]

I immediately thought "young Bob" too

 

[scottmk1]

That's my face mask on skotl's picture, he must have nicked it when he picked up the mill