Is my Draper belt sanding worth fixing?

[Yukster]

I had my Draper belt sander for about four years and it has been a very useful tool for my prolifit DIY jobs. Today it started playing up. When pressing the trigger it works intermittently. I noticed that WHen I press the trigger harder it sometimes comes back to life but sometimes it just doesn't feel like it. I'm guessing the switch has gone and if so, should i try to fix it or is it not worth it?

 

[gregers]

id 1st look at the brushes before doing anything thing else.

 

[Yukster]

id 1st look at the brushes before doing anything thing else.

Thanks. Can you give me a bit of guidance? After opening the sander, what do I look for?

 

[gregers]

you may find on the machine a couple of large black plastic screws??
if so undo them and out pops the brush,1 on either side of the motor.

if not as above then you may have to take the machine apart to get to the motor,these are the sort of things your looking at.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2PCS-15mm...529?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3386382501

 

[Burnerman]

The carbon brushes are below two plastic caps on the side of the motor.....if they are worn to a couple of mm or are at the end of the spring pressure then renew them.
One wee tip......if the tool doesn't want to start, press the trigger in and then waggle the mains lead where it goes into the handle.....cable failure is common.
If that doesn't sort the machine, I'm afraid its destined for the carpenters shop in the sky....
John

 

[Yukster]

The carbon brushes are below two plastic caps on the side of the motor.....if they are worn to a couple of mm or are at the end of the spring pressure then renew them.
One wee tip......if the tool doesn't want to start, press the trigger in and then waggle the mains lead where it goes into the handle.....cable failure is common.
If that doesn't sort the machine, I'm afraid its destined for the carpenters shop in the sky....
John

Thanks John. I'll check tomorrow when Im less tired. One questions though, what do you mean when you say renew the brushes?

 

[gregers]

take old 1s out,throw them away and buy new 1s and fit them.

 

[Yukster]

take old 1s out,throw them away and buy new 1s and fit them.

k. i thought it was more complicated. Thanks

 

[big-all]

dont throw them away initially in case there not at fault lol

look for lots off big sparks from the brush end off the motor

 

[Yukster]

dont throw them away initially in case there not at fault lol

look for lots off big sparks from the brush end off the motor

Thanks. Sorry for the daft question but are the sparks a good or a bad sign?

 

[Trazor]

are the sparks a good or a bad sign?

They are a bad sign, your commutator that the bushes run on will be dirty and pitted.
When you dismantle, clean it up with a piece of fine emery cloth, and clean the grooves out.