I have just finished the article written by Forrest Addy in the current version of the Home Shop Machinist. This is one of several articles Forrest is writing on motors and the next issues will cover VFDs and converters among other things.
In this article, Forrest covered a massive amount on both single phase and three phase motors. Most of what was covered applies directly to the woodworker as well as the metalworker. For example, he explains why the woodworking environment is much harder on sealed for life bearings than the metalworking environment.
He also goes into detail why some asian motors have much shorter life spans than the US made motors and how a simple trip to a motor rebuild shop can cure this oversight. A simple trip to the varnish dip tank and oven for the stator windings.
He also goes into some detail on NEC, local codes and necessary controls for eletric motors attached to machine tools for either woodworking or metalworking.
The article is several pages long and repleat with pictures. Copies of this months Home Shop Machinist can be purchased at better book stores such as some Borders or directly from Village Press who owns the Home Shop Machinist magazine. ITs bimonthly. I highly reccommend that you either get a subscription for a year (about 26 bucks) or purchase the next three editions including the current one if you work with or desire a more in depth knowledge of induction motors, VFDs, motor control, NEC and local code issues and how to build a phase converter.
I have known Forrest for many years and he is an old Navy Machinist who has seen it all and done it all. He is one of the most knowlegeable Mill Wrights and Machinists out there and I often have to ask him a question. Fancy That!
These articles are now on my mandatory homework list for new guys getting into these problems. It beats having to retype the same information over and over again. You will enjoy this magaine even it its for the metal heads more than the wood heads.
Best of Luck...