Rebuilding power tools

[Djui5]

Anyone here fix their power tools? I got a dead skill saw and angle grinder. Looking for advice, and if it’s worth it

 

[firworks]

Where are you located (in the country) and how are they dead: battery system, electronics, mechanicals?

 

[larry4406]

I always take a failed tool apart. Many times the failure is something simple like a bad cord or electrical connection.

 

[DGersic]

Depends on the tool. Are we talking cheap imported stuff for which no parts are available? Or expensive brand name stuff? I’d take it apart to have a look at it, unless it has a replacement warranty.


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[kbs2244]

You never took a clock or radio apart as a kid to see how they work?
They are broke, so the is no dollars lost if you cannot fix them.
And, better yet, you can learn something.

 

[sberry]

I always take a failed tool apart. Many times the failure is something simple like a bad cord or electrical connection.

This above. I usually take something apart if practical, even some cheap stuhh that has a good history. Parts are often a pain, a lot of it is simple or on occasion works for a long time or more,, ha. Especially from simple breaks. It took 10 minutes to fix a Wal-Mart grinder, worked for years again with no parts cost. Fixed a chop saw a while back, a switch I got from another broke one, again only a bit of time and no investment.
I don't generally dump a bunch of parts in something that is already well worn. On occasion use some of the same models, will toss a broke one in a box in my storage, cob a part or 2.
I have a cheap microwave I like. It broke, it was suggested I junk it. I Oh weld a piece of plastic in it a decade ago and it still works. I figure it had about 120 to 150k cycles on it, maybe more over 30 years. Had an answering machine, simple tape one, broke, replaced it with a couple that puked and never did work as good and in desperation fixed it till we retired it in a system change.
If I get something with a hi dollar part I don't usually bother. A fix is different than rebuild.

 

[willf650]

I put cords in my tools when I do something stupid like cut them. The only real issue I had to repair was when a brush holder burned up in my inherited miter box. It took about $15 to get it up and going again. I would certainly see if you can fix it. I have tried to fix small appliances before and found the price of parts didn’t justify fixing. You would be surprised what you can buy parts for with a simple internet search.


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[dreamingmuscle]

Brushless motors are not economical to replace. That said, if I know its not the motor or it has brushes, I'll repair it. Most of the time its just the stitch. Parts are relatively cheap and I have a warrenty shop near me so I have them order the parts in to save on shipping.

Glen

 

[The Cobbler]

could be as easy as a broken cord/wire. worth a look and try to diagnose at least

 

[Danglerb]

Anything that breaks I take apart from tools to garbage disposal, putting back together not so much, but I take all the glory even with small successes.

A slightly easier topic is normal service on tools, clean and lubricate gears, replace brushes, power cords etc.

 

[Sine Swept]

Broken things always teach me a lot, if I am willing to take it on.

My 10+ year old oven, my 1+ year old dryer. Tools save me, less than they fail me.

I have replaced a few cords, switches and the business end of my Bosch 1/4 hex impact!

Just remember if you are in a place of business that sells new power tools, you are in the wrong place to get parts to fix your broken tool. I learned this the hard way one day while trying to find replacement parts for my Makita random orbit sander.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

This German guy fixes tons of things, many power tools among the many videos he does.

I also do my own, or buy them cheap as broken if they are a good name. It's usually either a cord, switch or brushes.

 

[catron44]

I have fixed many from my dewalt chop saw (armature) and other various routers and drills. If you can diagnose it and want to fix it, ereplacement parts and amazon have a good selection of replacement parts.

 

[Farmall450]

This above. I usually take something apart if practical, even some cheap stuhh that has a good history. Parts are often a pain, a lot of it is simple or on occasion works for a long time or more,, ha. Especially from simple breaks. It took 10 minutes to fix a Wal-Mart grinder, worked for years again with no parts cost. Fixed a chop saw a while back, a switch I got from another broke one, again only a bit of time and no investment.
I don't generally dump a bunch of parts in something that is already well worn. On occasion use some of the same models, will toss a broke one in a box in my storage, cob a part or 2.
I have a cheap microwave I like. It broke, it was suggested I junk it. I Oh weld a piece of plastic in it a decade ago and it still works. I figure it had about 120 to 150k cycles on it, maybe more over 30 years. Had an answering machine, simple tape one, broke, replaced it with a couple that puked and never did work as good and in desperation fixed it till we retired it in a system change.
If I get something with a hi dollar part I don't usually bother. A fix is different than rebuild.

You use your microwave 11x a day? Damn dude.

 

[-Brent-]

Anyone here fix their power tools? I got a dead skill saw and angle grinder. Looking for advice, and if it’s worth it

I just fixed a Dewalt angle grinder (brushes, switch paddle, plug and a flange). They're very simple to repair and pretty much every part is available. I like major brands for this reason.

I've probably put 50 corded power tools back into service over the last 6 or 8 years. I think there's only been one that I bought, a corded impact, that I took a chance on buying non-op that I ended up not repairing. I can't remember why, exactly, but I assume it was either beyond repair or too costly to justify.

 

[finn]

Brushes, cords, and switches, if they are still available, are cheap fixes.

I scrapped my Mikita sliding compound miter saw when it needed windings and an armature. The bronze gears were questionable too. Unfortunately, I had just replaced the switch. It was eating brushes regularly, probably because of the worn armature.

I loved that saw, but scrapping it allowed me to justify upgrading to a new Bosch, a much better saw.

Old power tools are often heavy, clumsy, and generally obsolete. New tools are lighter and have better ergonomics and improved technology. As much as I hate scrapping the old stuff, sometimes it’s the best thing to do.

 

[Djui5]

You never took a clock or radio apart as a kid to see how they work?

Ironically, yes. I took apart everything I could even if just to see how it works.

Sorry I never replied to this.

I live in AZ, tool in question is a 7.5” Ryobi circular saw. It stopped spinning while I was using it to cut a tree branch because my chainsaw wasn’t working. I contemplated taking it apart to see if I could fix it

Edit, it is a plug in type, no battery

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

It's stopped working, so you have nothing to lose, unless it was unsatisfactory when it still worked.

This guy IMO shows good technique and presentation without any of the inane babble so prevalent on youtube. Hayts of fto you Mr Hand Tool Rescue.

www.ereplacementparts.com is a good place to find exploded diarams of many tools and things which are not too much older than the internet, and they sell parts too.

 

[jonshonda]

The only time I haven't taken something apart in an attempt to repair or simply gain knowledge was a cheap Skill electric drill that I smoked mixing mortar. I started seeing the smoke that makes it run coming out and like a physco started laughing and swearing at the drill. "That's right you f3cking pos....die...junk...garbage, pig f3cking junk...i hate you"

Otherwise I think it's fun taking stuff apart, but even more fun when you put it back together and it works

 

[jgromada]

I've had some experience fixing old Milwaukee sawzalls and drills. Typically on the older stuff its the cords that need replacement or the brushes on the motor. Neither is particularly difficult to do.

As for resources if you search on Youtube you will find useful videos for whatever topic you are looking for.

 

[engineer2]

Milwaukee sawzalls are easy to rebuild and parts are inexpensive.

Not a tool, but I rebuilt my WaterPik mainly to quiet it down. It has poorly designed motor mounts and a had small-end rod knock. Got it down to about half as loud.

Next up is rebuilding on old AEG hammer drill. I remember it was tricky to hold the brushes in during reassembly.

Any power tool is generally worth rebuilding unless the motor or gearbox is shot.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I can't afford new tools, and so when I buy a new tool, it's a rarity.

I do regular maintenance on my stuff, religiously, from re greasing, to cord maintenance to blowing **** out of them with the compressor, including my belt sander, a 4X24 Porter Cable. Tool negligence is for people with the money to buy new, and I've seen a lot of people that fit that category. I just hate all the Chinese made tools these days, so I prolong my American made equipment.

 

[Musicinabottle]

The key to having tools last, is to make tool purchases that can actually be fixed. I admit that I needed a heat gun and fast! I went down to Home depot where I lowered my principles and bought a Chinese made Wagner heat gun. It lasted about a day, then started falling apart. I wound up throwing it out, and buying a vintage American made "Master" brand heat gun. $36 shipped to my door, and the thing is exceptionally well built, parts are available to replace anything on the gun, though mine needed nothing other than a trim piece re attached. So, every tool I have is either vintage, or modern fix able. I've found that Makita, like so many other companies, (John Deere just off the top) makes something a couple of years, gets a bunch of their Chinese **** sold, then pulls the plug on them and no longer offers parts support.

 

[sberry]

You use your microwave 11x a day? Damn dude.

It gets used for coffee reheats in my office.

 

[larry_g]

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/

Before tackling any small project like this I peruse the above site or one like it to see if parts are available. You also get a breakdown of the tool and what may be available for spares. If I can't find any place that supports the tool with parts then I proceed carefully and if something easy pops up then I fix it. If not then it's time to evaluate the cost benefit ratio of the project.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[earlthegoat2]

My Dewalt 735 planer was rough when I got it and it has since needed maintenance and repair several times. I installed a Shelix head so I wouldn't have to change the knives every 4 hrs. The feed roller drive mechanism is the weak link on these machines so I have several of the drive sprockets on hand. New bearings, roller chain, circuit breaker. Got them from M-C.

Its a highly regarded planer and I still like it a lot even though it does seem to not want to run at 100% for too long.

I use Industrial supply houses and ereplacementparts for parts.

 

[bczygan]

Fixed the side switch on a $10 HF grinder.

And a clamp on lamp.

Wife thinks I should fix everything, since I have so many tools.

Bill

 

[6PTsocket]

Anyone here fix their power tools? I got a dead skill saw and angle grinder. Looking for advice, and if it’s worth it

That is an undividual decision, based on the person, the value of the tools and the availability of parts. If you are in a commercial business and your time is best spent doing yor job, the answer might be no. If you do not have the technical expertise or tools to diagnose and fix the problem it might be no. If parts are too expensive or unavailable, it might be no. If the tool can be cheaply replaced, it might be no. On the other hand I like working on tools, and have the time and will take a crack at repairing almost anything, unless I am disdatisfied with the tool and this is a good excuse to buy a new one. You didn't say what was wrong with those tools. It could be a minor or major problem. If it is a worm drive Skilsaw, aren't they pretty expensive and worth fixing?

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[Tica]

If you want to try your hand at rebuilding, plenty of returned Milwaukee stuff here for cheap, they also have Dewalt.

http://www.theselectsource.com/Auction/SearchResult?searchText=milwaukee&categoryId=0&catl=0

 

[Djui5]

Ereplacementparts is gonna be a huge help.

I took the circular saw apart, it seems the blade stop used to aid in loosening the blade bolt has broken and is MIA. The metal part that stops the drive gear was still there. Also the blade itself was loose. So I tightened the blade but it still won’t work, so I’m gonna start testing electrical stuff next. It doesn’t even click or anything.

Also I read since the grinder works when I smack it then the bushings are probably defective. I’m gonna take it apart and see.

Thanks for the replies, I’ll post pics later. This is fun. No sense spending $100 on new tools you can fix for $20 or less...

 

[6PTsocket]

Ereplacementparts is gonna be a huge help.

I took the circular saw apart, it seems the blade stop used to aid in loosening the blade bolt has broken and is MIA. The metal part that stops the drive gear was still there. Also the blade itself was loose. So I tightened the blade but it still won’t work, so I’m gonna start testing electrical stuff next. It doesn’t even click or anything.

Also I read since the grinder works when I smack it then the bushings are probably defective. I’m gonna take it apart and see.

Thanks for the replies, I’ll post pics later. This is fun. No sense spending $100 on new tools you can fix for $20 or less...

You should be able to get factory brushes for any reputable brand. If you have a good hardware store, they sometimes stock an assortment of brushes and you might get a match.

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[Danglerb]

I like to fix stuff, so almost anything one or two times I will try it and hope to learn something. Too much of the time broken tools are just beat to death and have more than just cheap easy stuff needing replacing.