sick dremel

[esantoro]

I think my Dremel is coming down with Swine Flu. It's lethargic, groggy, horse. Just doesn't have the same get up and go. Does this mean it's time to replace something? I've heard of brushes, but don't actually know what those do.

Ed

[Vikti]

The brushes in a motor is what make the physical, electrical contact with the rotor (the shaft) and they do eventually wear down to nothing. I doubt that they are replaceable unless you have one of the high end Dremel tools

Damon

[kevinhopkins]

Hi...Damon's got it...more than likely, it's time for a new dremel shopping experience!

Kevin Hopkins

[claybuster101]

Different Dremel problem but my son was able to save it. The Dremel would still rev up to wide open throttle, but the shaft wasn't turning. He took it apart (something he has been doing to things around the house since he was a child) and found that the shaft was connected by what he called a plastic or hard rubber sleeve that had cracked. He epoxied the sleeve and voila....Dremel works. I asked him how gunked up it was on the inside and he indicated that there wasn't much gunk on the inside.

Since your Dremel might be DOA, consider taking it apart and seeing what the inside looks like. Maybe a gentle blast with some compressed air might restore some life into it.

[bruce johnson]

Ed,

I'm with Kevin, when it totally dies get a new one. I used to go through them with some frequency. I had one that lasted about 11 months into the year long warranty. They sent me a replacement. About 10 months later it crapped out. I sent it back and they determined I was a commercial or industrial user and the warranty didn't apply. After I bought the last one with the "disposable mentality", it has lasted about 4 years.

[Vikti]

I ended up getting this about 6 years ago for glass etching and it still hold strong. A bit underpowered but still good.

[TwinOaks]

Ed, I think I know what you're thinking and you just want a second "aye" before you do it so here it is.

You should disassemble it for cleaning and inspection, and while you've got it apart see if there's a way to increase it's power and collet size to allow for a wider range of rotary tools and applications.

I mean, c'mon, why shouldn't a dremel be able to double as a lathe motor?

Incidentally, depending on the number of 'brushes' it has, you'll probably want extra hands---divide the total number of brushes by two and round up. The brushes will look like little blocks of gray-black....stuff....with a curved face against the stator, and spring on the other end. You'll need really small tools and those magnifying lamps you rebuilt.

[ABC3]

Their cheap. Buy a new one. And they keep adding new attachments with every release.

[HorsehairBraider]

Get a Foredom. Foredom They make them for jewelers and dentists, and expect the person is going to actually use it day in and day out. You can get different hand pieces, motor, chucks and collets etc. The one I have has been going strong for about 12 years now. Best money I ever spent. Plus, you can easily get replacement parts, and they are easy to put on. (Well, I can do it, and I am no mechanic!) I've used mine for carving rocks, even.

I talked to a fellow who is an equine dentist and he had been using a Dremel, and sure enough, they wore out in about a year's time. That would drive me crazy... If I'd had to buy a new Dremel every year for the past 12 years, well, they might be "cheap" but they are not worth it to me. I'd just as soon have something that will last.

[esantoro]

Ed, I think I know what you're thinking and you just want a second "aye" before you do it so here it is.

You should disassemble it for cleaning and inspection, and while you've got it apart see if there's a way to increase it's power and collet size to allow for a wider range of rotary tools and applications.

I mean, c'mon, why shouldn't a dremel be able to double as a lathe motor?

Incidentally, depending on the number of 'brushes' it has, you'll probably want extra hands---divide the total number of brushes by two and round up. The brushes will look like little blocks of gray-black....stuff....with a curved face against the stator, and spring on the other end. You'll need really small tools and those magnifying lamps you rebuilt.

Just read your post 30 minutes after complete disassembly and.... Wait for it.......

....

...

...

wait for it...

...

...

...

...

Successful REASSEMBLY .

It had died completely. Happened to have the torx drivers on hand and just couldn't say no. I opened it up, played around with the parts, blew on it, put it back together, and Voila! However, I think it will die again in a week or so. Pictures are forthcoming. Yes, pictures of the innards of the 400 XPR.

And to think all this on the same day I actually closed the case officially on the 22-watt circline lamps and returned them to full active duty.

Ed

Get a Foredom. Foredom They make them for jewelers and dentists, and expect the person is going to actually use it day in and day out. You can get different hand pieces, motor, chucks and collets etc. The one I have has been going strong for about 12 years now. Best money I ever spent. Plus, you can easily get replacement parts, and they are easy to put on. (Well, I can do it, and I am no mechanic!) I've used mine for carving rocks, even.

I talked to a fellow who is an equine dentist and he had been using a Dremel, and sure enough, they wore out in about a year's time. That would drive me crazy... If I'd had to buy a new Dremel every year for the past 12 years, well, they might be "cheap" but they are not worth it to me. I'd just as soon have something that will last.

I will definitely look into the Foredom. Thanks.

ed