fixing a Dremel

[Phil_S]

My Dremel stopped working, so I figured the brushes need to be replaced. I never replaced motor brushes before, so I figure youtube is my friend, which it is, up to a point. For the uninitiated, the "brushes" are these little carbon blocks that are fairly brittle, meaning they are fragile. (Silly me, I was looking for something with bristles!)

The first bad news is that springs are attached to the little carbon blocks, which are supposed to slip out with a gentle pull on the spring. It took a while to realize this because the springs came off and didn't reattach. The brushes were stuck! I gather this comes from overheating the motor. I didn't know.

After much frustration, I used a hand drill to break up the carbon block brushes and eventually cleared them out. After a bit of fiddling, I realized the channel where the brush goes (both of them) has carbon caked onto the sides, impeding free movement of the brush. I had to disassemble the whole tool to clean out both brush housings. Finally, I got the brushes moving freely in their housings.

This 2 minute job took me almost an hour! I am ashamed to admit that it too so much time, but I will tell you, it was a real PITA. I guess the carbon must have melted, immobilizing the brushes. Without brush contact, the motor won't turn.

If you own a Dremel, pay attention. If it feels hot, give it a rest!

[Cantplay]

Got my Dremel from Sears. Paid for their lifetime warranty.

It's been exchanged at least 8 times over last few years.

They were never intended for continuous duty cycle.

John

[kkregsg]

My ancient Dremel suddenly stopped rotating one night, even though the motor was still running fine. Short version. The nylon coupling spline shredded, I ordered it from Replacementparts.com for $1.48, and 15 minutes later it was back in service. I actually Googled it, and a complete how to popped up.

[cbass]

Bah hell I can't work the link stuff

[rp]

Bah hell I can't work the link stuff

You need to patch that ipad in correctly, here follow this:

[Jerry2013]

I have a Craftsman Dremel. The sleeve crapped out. I ordred one from Sears. Cost me about 17.00 shipped. It turned out to be a stock Drmel part I could have got from Ace Hardware for less than 5 bucks.

[M Fowler]

Wow old memories seeing that telephone switch board.

I've ran an old switch board at the Fargo VA Hospital in 1983 what a nightmare. Had a large 19" equipment rack full of limiters and power amps to drive the ceiling PA speakers for announcements. You should have seen the phone room with the old relays tripping.

The 3rd floor lounge had a large green military tube powered broadcast desk that I wanted but it went into service at a local college NDSU.