Dewalt Drill Problems

[Casey69]

just looking for some ideas before tossing this drill.

it's a corded dewalt DW100 that's ~10 years old & has been great until recently, when it wouldn't consistently start when i pulled the trigger. if i shook it, it would sometimes start. i popped open the case & couldn't see any loose connections.

haven't used it for anything more than general homeowner use & looks new inside. granted, it's not a crazy-expensive drill(~$70), but it hasn't been used daily, is a decent brand, & figured it should last longer.

ridgid drills any good? they advertise a lifetime warranty if you register it.

 

[jkwilson]

Check the brushes and the trigger switch. Both common failures in older drills.

 

[Wizzard]

Agreed, check the brushes and switch as noted above. I had to replace the brushes (~$15) on one of my DeWalt drills after ~8 years of use (not used daily, but often).

 

[jjarrell4]

Sometimes the carbon brushes break and lose contact, or they are worn down too much for consistent use.

Dewalt switches are easy to replace and are often sources of problems.

 

[tiggi]

^^^^^ What these guys said. also check your power cord, happened to me before and I almost tossed it.

 

[JRC3]

I second checking the power cord. If you need to replace it go to a box store and buy a 15' black extension cord and cut the end off. On the shelf next to it you'll see the exact same shorter cord without the end for $1 more. LOL


I always go long on my cords when I replace them. My drywall screw gun has a 15' and I've got a 15' extension cord laying on the workbench right now for my circular saw. It's current cord has been wrapped with tape to twist the cord just right to get me through the last job I used it for.

 

[jkwilson]

I second checking the power cord. If you need to replace it go to a box store and buy a 15' black extension cord and cut the end off. On the shelf next to it you'll see the exact same shorter cord without the end for $1 more. LOL


I always go long on my cords when I replace them. My drywall screw gun has a 15' and I've got a 15' extension cord laying on the workbench right now for my circular saw. It's current cord has been wrapped with tape to twist the cord just right to get me through the last job I used it for.

Sometimes I think I'm smart, then I see other people have the same ideas I do. I bought a 10-1/4" worm drive circular saw at a yard sale for $3. The cord had been introduced to the blade on more than one occasion and the screw and the blade flanges were missing. I bought a bunch of well-used but high quality extension cords at an auction for $3 a piece and now my saw has a 15' cord.

A 6ft cord is a pain. Too short to work with it plugged into an outlet, but long enough to tangle in everything and drag on the ground when you carry it.

 

[JRC3]

I bought a bunch of well-used but high quality extension cords at an auction for $3 a piece and now my saw has a 15' cord.

A 6ft cord is a pain. Too short to work with it plugged into an outlet, but long enough to tangle in everything and drag on the ground when you carry it.

Yep, long enough to sometimes not even need an extension cord. But not so long that it won't wrap around the tool for storage.