Dremel Problem....ahh

[gigabite]

Ok, was just wondering if anyone could help me with my problem (since I know alot of people on here either have one or have used one) - I have done some reading on it and it seems it is common ?

Basically, I was dremel'ing away, wasn't even pushing it hard and had been doing it for literally 5 minutes and it just seemed to stop and loose power. So I turned it off, wasn't hot at all...checked that my bit was in securely (which it was) and turned it on again.  Nothing, still the same, so I opened it up and cleaned it all (wasn't dirty at all) and checked everything was making contact (as a few people have suggested, and also added some solder to the pins for a tighter connection...just in case that was the problem) put it all back together and still the same.

So, while it was plugged in and the top half off the shell was off I carefully turned it on and observed what happened - the motor (on the lowest rpm) tries to spin but just sits there, when I turn up the rpm's it spins (and so does the end piece) but not sounding to good, it sounds as if there is something stuck and holding it back from properly spinning [which there definitely is not as I pulled apart and cleaned and checked everything and it spins freely].

Yes I have cleaned the brushes (and everything else) and no there not screwed on to tight (even though it's not possible to do)...also the 'spline' ? is perfect, not broken or about to break...perfect.

This tool is maybe 1.5-2 years old, keep it perfect condition, always inside and well treated/looked after.

It is a Dremel model 300

Any help would be much appreciated

thanks
gigabite 

[Ell3X]

have you also changed the "carbon" ?

[gigabite]

I must admit, no, they don't seem tarnished at all (yes they have a kind of semi-circle groove made into them - I know they are flat when they are new )....I will give it a try on a side note (they roll fine when they the dremel is all together, and I used it the day before perfectly) does anyone know why/how this would affect it ?

thanks for your help though, much appreciated 

gigabite

[MichaelCasson]

The brushes (those carbon things) are really the only user servicable parts on a dremel tool.

Here's your owner's manual, look at pages 15-16:
http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/MDMCache/t10/0000000/r00501v-1.pdf

"If the rotary tool runs erratically, loses power, or makes unusual noises check the brushes for wear and possible replacement."

[zillionare]

If new brushes don't fix it....the commutator has gone bad.

Have you tried throwing it against the wall? works for some. 

zil

[gigabite]

I hope they fix it ! There on there way - what is the commutator - I looked on the net and it's the part above the brushes (the circle piece of metal with slits in it ) is that right ? and if that's the case, can it be replaced (cheaply) ? does it help if I say that when I looked at it, when I turned the dremel on, it had small sparks coming from around there (e.g like a drill which I thought was normal) ?

cheers
gigabite

[gigabite]

f***ing great, replaced the brushes, and it's the same as before  !!! it was only $10AU inc shipping but still....*sigh* now what ? throw it out

gigabite

[chickenpie]

it might be just dirty i sugest next time your having a bath bring the dremel tool in with you, obviously have it switched on so you can see if the water has any effect on performance

[gigabite]

nah, definitely not dirty (I keep it very clean) and also cleaned out the inside with my air compressor, and I was just about to buy the drill press attachment   

gigabite