No, Rattus. It didn't get louder (at least not that I could tell). It didn't make any more smoke. Just that one. There just isn't a polarity indicator on that machine (does it matter with a RR?) and as the contacts are side by side, I just was hoping that I didn't have it running the wrong direction.

What's the rule with rotaries again? Looking straight on at them, they turn clockwise or conterclockwise? Or does it matter?

I was just afraid I unknowingly broke my machine! (which would suck as we were fast becoming friends)

Limey, what's a commutator? (Ok, here's where I know I need a coffee because my brain isn't working because now I can't get the "Der Kommisar [don't turn around]" song out of my head...)