Easy Fix for Power Drills & Drivers

[foakes]

Nearly 20 years ago, my wife got me a DeWalt 18V XRP, 3-speed 1/2” drill/driver, with torque settings.

It was not cheap at the time — around $250.

It has been used extensively for every type of job — from deck-building to remodeling to raising the camper jacks — in every type of weather from heavy snow to rain to 100 degree+ days.

Last Friday, I went to use it — and the motor started to smoke.  Even though this was a quality tool, it was 20 years old — so I figured it was toast.  However, being cheap, I decided to check symptoms online.  Went to a YouTube that showed very clearly my issue — the fix was new brushes.

Ordered them last Friday online from Tool-Center back in Tennessee.  Showed up today via UPS.  

$14.92 — delivered, including tax.

5 minute job — Yamaha grease on the gears while I had it apart.  Runs as good as new!

It took a T6 torx to remove the 4 screws at the back of the housing.  Couldn’t be easier.

Best, Fred

[Dominick]

Nice work Fred.  Did you have to trim and cut the commutator?  I remember rebuilding car generators when I was a teen.  We would fine sandpaper the commutator and run a thin hacksaw blade in the groves.  I bet you already know this but if you can see sparks when the drill is running you may have to do so to keep the new brushes from wearing out.  Dominick

[foakes]

Nice work Fred.  Did you have to trim and cut the commutator?  I remember rebuilding car generators when I was a teen.  We would fine sandpaper the commutator and run a thin hacksaw blade in the groves.  I bet you already know this but if you can see sparks when the drill is running you may have to do so to keep the new brushes from wearing out.  Dominick

No, I did not know that, Dominick — Thanks, I’ll check for sparks — makes sense!

Best, Fred

[Wompus Cat]

Nice work Fred.  Did you have to trim and cut the commutator?  I remember rebuilding car generators when I was a teen.  We would fine sandpaper the commutator and run a thin hacksaw blade in the groves.  I bet you already know this but if you can see sparks when the drill is running you may have to do so to keep the new brushes from wearing out.  Dominick

You are going back a few years here . We use to chuck the Armatures in a lathe and machine down the Commutator, Put the thing on a Growler to test continuity ,replace bearings,fields,bushings,Brushes. We rebuilt water pumps,starters,brake master cylinders ,Starters,Carburetors, Cylinder Heads,Re- line the Brake Shoes,,,,just about everything on the car .
Now days the Technicians got to the parts dept with a cart and chuck whatever is available in it and stick it on the car and sometimes it will fix it .
No More Mechanics on the Planet besides the ones here ...lol

[foakes]

if you can see sparks when the drill is running you may have to do so to keep the new brushes from wearing out.  Dominick

Took it in the closet, and peered in — no sparks!  Good for another 20 years...

Thanks,

Fred

[Midway Tommy]

Had a similar issue with a nice little handy metal Craftsman 3 X 21 belt sander I bought new in '73 a couple of years ago. It sparked & chattered a couple of times so I figured it had seen it's better days. Went to use it one day & it wouldn't even start so I took the bushes out & flipped them around (kept them on the same sides) & voila, it was working again. New brushes were only a couple of bucks & it now runs almost like new.

[alantani]

this is so weird.  my 3/8ths inch corded dewalt just decided to take a dump on me tonight.  i started looking around and figured i'd just order another and tossed the old on in the trash.  so before going on line, i check here.  i just ordered a set of brushes for $5.  

[thorhammer]

Cal's in the chuck clutches, don't forget!!!

I've got a favorite Milwaukee from about 2000 that has bit the dust....I've kept hoping a motor would turn up; I "overused" it on a particularly tough job that kilt it. That's "killed" if you aren't Greg or from the South

I'll give brushes a shot.