Thanks for the advice, I am going to take it to a friend who owns a electric motor repair shop and fixes these all the time, maybe he has a similar grinder "for parts" available. I was thinking of getting a HF 9" grinder for $49 since I only use it to sharpen my blades. I have a 4 1/2" grinder and I can tell you there is a HUGE difference between the two grinders when it comes to sharpening blades. I have a mower deck that takes 3 blades and I also sharpen my sister's mower that takes 3 also. Therefore I sharpen a lot of blades. One day I was at John Deere and saw how sharp their shargened blades look so I asked how they got them so nice and sharp. They told me they used 9" grinder and once I started using a 9" grinder it made all the difference in the world. IMHO.....

The transformer should be in an accessible location. There should be a switch between the 120V line and the transformer. You really don't want to have the transformer being fed electricity all the time. Using the transformer as a junction box is not the best idea. In other words, probably no.

ronnatalie...I don't think there is a ground (or ground wire) in the 3 wire run from panel to dryer. It's the old flexible metal type of casing around the 3 wires (2 lines, one neutral). The block on the dryer electrical connection is grounded to the dryer cabinet. weedmeister...I'm very sure Miele is already wired with a 4 wire cord and you can't make any modifications. I e-mailed them and they got back to me within hours (great service). They said and I quote: "Thank you for your interest in Miele products. It is NOT recommended that the appliance be hard wired and that the plug provided be altered or changed in any way. Please follow the electrical specifications that state the following: This appliance must be grounded. In the event of malfunction or breakdown, grounding will reduce the risk of electric shock by providing a path of least resistance for electric current. This appliance is equipped with a cord having an equipment grounding conductor and a grounding plug. Only insert the plug in an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances. WARNING- Improper connection of the equipment grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician, service representative or personnel if you are in doubt as to whether the appliance is properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with the appliance. If it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. The dryer is supplied with a 5 ft. (1.5 m) 4x10 AWG cord and a NEMA 14-30 P plug, ready for connection to a 120/240 (208) V, 60 Hz, 30 A AC power supply. Plug the appliance into a proper outlet. If the plug does not fit, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. For more detailed information please visit our web site at www.mieleusa.com or to speak with one of our representatives call 800-843-7231. Thank you" brickeyee...you're right (quickly checking out Electrolux & Whirlpool's web site instalation instruction manuals) they still provide 3 wire, hard wired applications. So I guess I really don't have to worry about updating the line unless I decide on purchasing the Miele dryer or I just want to update to current code. Thanks!

The heating cable is waterproof. If it were not, it could not be set in mortar.