Anyone ever try to fix a variable speed jigsaw switch?

[dimwittedmoose51]

I have both a healthy and a less than healthy Bosch 1587AVS jigsaw and the less than healthy one runs, but the variable speed feature ceases to be found, regardless of whether the built in trigger dial is set at A,B,C,D, or E. It will run at D and E, but not the other slower settings. Even at the D/E settings, it's either full throttle or nothing. I found a replacement switch for $33 on line, but that would quintuplet my investment in the saw and can't justify thary expense.

No YouTube videos expect for replacing the switch,so I seek the counsel of our tool repair experts in the group. In short, is there something simple that will re-activate the the zero to full throttle feature, as the A-E settings on the switch dual appears to simply limit how far up the trigger can go, there must be something else awry in there causing the problem. It's not the end of the world, but I thought I'd ask if the experts have ever taken an accelererator trigger on either one of these Bosch units, or another brand. If it's a lost cause, I'll just keep it for spare parts... TIA.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I used to fix power tools and was factory trained for all major brands but Hilti. Your best bet is to replace the switch. The triac is smoked.

 

[jkmcp45]

If you can make them run full throttle then get a router variable speed cord I use one for slowing down my welding fume extractor cause I didn’t need it running at a super fast speed works perfect think I acquired it from harbor freight


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[The Cobbler]

the circuit board is probably sealed & basically non repairable . $33 is a cheap repair for a good jig saw, IMO

 

[dimwittedmoose51]

Thanks folks!!! I figured there was something unfixable in there. I bought it at a local pawn shop for 30%off the final markdown price of $8. Had it been a Malaysia model I'd have passed, but all 3 of the 1587s that have come my way have been made in the USA. Sold one of them with case for $50 on FBMP and the guy was tickled to find one. I bought the bigger 7amp one made in Switzerland with the speed dial in the back at a pawn shop out of town for $50, so that was a good upgrade. Not sure what itr is about these saws, but some of it has to do with that "I dare you to try and knock that foot off the 90 degree setting" anchoring system.

I may check and see if our local Bosch jobber has a switch that's collecting dust in the back room. A couple of the tool parts on line outfits show the switch as being discontinued and I found none on ebay or Amazon.

Stay Tuned....

DM&FS

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I'll look and see if I still have some in my stash, I tried to thin the herd when I moved (had ~1000 switches from various manufacturers) and I kept primarily the big ones, because they looked more expensive, hundreds and hundreds got scrapped.

 

[bpjr]

I have an old craftsman 2 speed 6" sander polisher from the 1970s that was only working on one speed. I thought it might be the switch but found one of the lugs had come unplugged. Pretty easy to check if yours has wires that plug in.

 

[rlitman]

I used to fix power tools and was factory trained for all major brands but Hilti. Your best bet is to replace the switch. The triac is smoked.

+1, THIS.

When the switch is full on, a physical contact closes to connect line directly to the motor and bypass the speed control. At slower speeds, the electronic speed control (usually a triac) comes into play.

 

[The Cobbler]

my Bosch BArrel frip jig saw acted up, it seemed to be the vari speed. upon disassembly, it was totally sealed with epoxy or whatever they use. I used some spray contact cleaner on the vari speed switch & it works fine now. for how long, I dunno....

 

[SGKent]

there are electrical sprays at $12 - $16 a can that help if it is just oxidization, but if the electronics are smoked then it is the price of the cleaner and $33.

Sounds like the store got you on that one. Probably picked it up for the cost of a cup of coffee from his brother-in-law who was tossing it out, and stuck a 30% off price on it 'cause he knew someone would think it was a deal at $8. That is how he finances his coffee fund.