Need experienced help with SANDER issue.

[WoodNoob]

Hello, friends. I have a Skil Octo sander that I bought second-hand. It worked fine the first time I used it, but the second time it started up slowly and I could hear the motor buzzing but not turning. I thought maybe the contacts on the spindle needed cleaning, so I cleaned them. I got the unit together enough to test it and it worked. After putting the foot back on to the main unit, the motor was bound again and wouldn't spin. I realize it's the foot doing this, and it seems like when it goes on it's a very tight fit. Is this part of the pressure control system? Loosening screws on the foot didn't work as the pressure gauge stayed red. Without the foot, pressure gauge shows green. Help!

 

[tarbellb]

Cheap sander, good luck.

 

[American Locomotive]

Sounds like the mechanism needs to be cleaned and lubricated.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Sounds like the mechanism needs to be cleaned and lubricated.

^^^^^ what he said. The mechanism is likely clogged up with sawdust and other debris. I'd have it apart on the bench, cleaning it if it was me