25 minutes ago, PostalTom said:

Well guys, everybody else was right.  It is the switch.  The problem was mechanical with the switch.  It wouldn't latch properly.  When I took the switch cover off and pressed the actual switch button instead of the external push button that it turn pressed the actual switch, it latched properly.  Put the cover back on and pressed harder this time, and it latched most of the time.  If that continues to work, great.  If that starts to fail, I can always leave the switch cover off and push the actual switch itself.  Since the wires are recessed inside the switch box, there is minimal danger of me getting shocked.  I was firmly convinced it was an electrical problem with the motor.  I was wrong.  Thanks everyone for steering me in the right direction.

minimal but not zero!

42 minutes ago, PostalTom said:

Thanks everyone for steering me in the right direction.

 

Love it when a plan comes together.  Thanks for the update.  We'll have big heads for awhile.

Glad you got it going again Tom. Thanks for the report back.

This is the switch with the switch cover installed.This is the switch without the switch cover installed.

 

@Lew, I appreciate your concern for my safety regarding exposed wires, but as you see, there are no exposed contacts.  And I'm not being sarcastic with that.  I really do  appreaciate it.  I feel absolutely confortable using the switch as it is displayed in the lower photo if it comes to that.

Tom is possible the switch cover start button has webbing broken or just worn preventing the start switch from fully engaging? Perhaps just making a tape shim(s) adhered to the start switch would make it project enough to function again. Hope this makes sense? Just thinking outside the box...switch box more specifically 

51 minutes ago, PostalTom said:

@Lew, I appreciate your concern for my safety regarding exposed wires, but as you see, there are no exposed contacts. 

Looks a LOT safer than the one I garage engineered on my old Delta lathe!

Dave, I looked at that, and I think the inner switch is worn so that the latching mechanism is difficult to engage.  But the idea of beefing up the outer switch "pusher-inner" is worth looking at.  Thanks.  Maybe some double stick tape and a thin wooden shim will do the trick.

I'll have to look, I might have one of those switches. Might get around to it sometime today.

Helping neighbor with vehicles today. Welding quarter panel patch panels on his wifes 02 Blazer, replacing hood, grill, and front bumper on his 05 Express after pulling radiator core support back into place. (Van was in a sandwich crash before he bought it.)

If you haven't already might try spraying some of THIS into the switch then blow dry with compressed air. They must have changed label colors from red to blue...mine are red????

Most Wally-Worlds, big blue, orange and green typically carry this. Auto parts stores too. WD-40 has introduced their version as well but I have no experience with it. CRC brand I've used for years for automotive applications as well as shop equipment. Worth a shot or two...no pun intended.