Your guys rock! I didn't know a lot of you guys are interested in electronics too! I loved playing around with the stuff as a kid and am interested in getting back into electronics as well as doing more metal working in the future. I think I'm going to add a lab area to my shop for electronics and pick up some equipment such as a nice variable power supply and an oscilloscope.
I'm 37 years old and have been going to night school for the past few years to be a machinist, but recently changed my degree to an Automated Systems Technician and I can't wait to take some of the core classes and learn more about machine controls, and electronics in general. Right now I'm working my way through a math class that I take Saturday mornings and it has been tough! It's all self paced with NO formal instruction so you have to teach your self and work on homework 3 to 4 days a week.
Trevoatxtal, When I add the caps, do they have to be right by the motor, or can I place them closer to the speed control? Also do they get mounted one from neutral to ground and then a second one mounted from the hot to ground? Or do the go right across the hot and neutral leads? Years ago I ran RC cars and we added caps to the motor to prevent interference to the radio and the caps were soldered right to the motor case. One cap went from the + lead to the motor case and the second cap went to the - lead to the motor case.
Thanks again for all the help! My new parts come on Wednesday so hopefully that's all I need to get it working again.