have lathe and delrin stock, will travel...
Thank you!
I've spent the last 5 weeks rebuilding one of my lathes.
I have one of those 230 Variacs, I'll dig it out and take a look, hopefully today. On some variacs the wiper is in direct contact with the shaft, but the shaft will have an insulated sleeve over it. Some, the wiper has an insulating collar between it and the shaft. Looking at your pic, my first guess is there is an insulating collar missing. Replacing it can be a PITA, easy if you have a lathe.
I just built a variac box with a meter and outlets etc using a variac similar to what you have. I mounted the variac to the front panel using the bottom casting. The shaft can be pushed through the bottom.
Took a look at my 230 Variac, it is a single section 230 type. It is completely different than the one you have. If the wipers have insulating bushings between them and the shaft, then you may only need a metal bushing.
You need take a close look at the whole thing.
Fred