Checking up on the engine and replacing a vaccum hose

I am now certain that the burning smell was the paper towel fragment that came from the evaporator compartment and had been touching the defrost element. Keep your fan forced/frost free fridge clean!

I have a feeling these condensers were for suppressing arcs and spikes across the brushes, anyone know for sure? I also realize the end of the housing would have steel mesh wrapped around it (the paralell part with the brush holders in it). would it be round punched or expanding mesh?

Very nicely built German DRO, just need to get the XYZ table with scales home and I could make either a drill press or home made plasma or laser cutter if I can find a cheap head for it.