Another shaper to think about and a few questions

[Pete O]

I got the shaper fully reassembled this afternoon and moved it to where I can supply power to it from the RPC. Frustratingly, I can't get the motor to start; it spins maybe 1 revolution then cuts out. I don't know whether the problem lies in the motor or the switchgear- when I had a similar problem with the milling machine, it was a matter of swapping the phases around so the starter circuit was not on the 'phantom' phase. I've tried that here with no success.

Unfortunately the tyranny of earning an income is going to keep me out of the shed for the next couple of days at least. When I can get back to it, my first plan is to run a cable from the VFD on my lathe to the motor on the shaper and see if it will run. The next step will be to try and run a spare 3hp motor off the shaper switchgear. If it's the motor, I have 2 spares on a shelf. If it's the switchgear, that will be more annoying as I really know nothing about that stuff and don't want to have to throw money at it.
When I laid the switchgear on the floor, it leaked oil- the plate on it says something about filling a dash-pot. There are also 2 adjustment knobs inside.
Here's hoping it's the motor.