Because our power tools have such an intricate internal structure, it
can be very difficult to know just where exactly your problem is if the
tool won't start. It's true that wear and tear can occur anywhere in or
on our power tools and that all of this wear and tear will effect them;
it's also true however, that there are just a few generally simple
steps to take towards finding the glitch that keeps your tool from
ticking.
Firstly, because brushes are fairly simple to check, and
are a common spoil of power tool wear and tear, check-out the tool's
carbon brushes first. Brush damage can look like a few different things:
heavy wear, chips, heat-damage, or burrs (build-up around the brush
that keeps it from making contact with the armature). Heavy-wear, chips,
and heat damage are clearly visible, prevent electrical current from
flowing, and require replacement; burrs, on the other hand, can usually
be scraped away but may require replacement anyway. Because the tool
will not engage if brushes don't make complete contact with the
armature, before moving one you need to be certain that the brush is
capable of maintaining contact. If it can't, it needs to be replaced,
simple as that.
Hint: If the brushes are significantly damaged,
it's a good idea to move directly to checking the armature. Sometimes
armature damage can prematurely wear or severely chip the brush's carbon
block, hence, intense brush damage can be an indicator of a damaged
armature.
Second, because a switch is quite a bit more delicate
than an armature, you'll want to take a look at your switch assembly
next. Here, wear and tear usually comes in the form of heat damage which
can look like burning or charring, or like colorful discoloration. The
plastic or wires of the switch may even be melted; any of these would
certainly be cause to keep your tool from firing up. A switch can also
be damaged by water or moisture, which although more difficult to
detect, is equally damaging to the performance of the part and the tool
as well. If the switch appears burned or discolored, or if you know it
has suffered water damage, the assembly must be replaced. If switch
damage is the only weak-link in your power tool, simply replacing it
should get your tool feeling much better.
Hint: Although brushes
are generally easier to check, switches are more commonly the culprit in
a tool that will not engage. Additionally, and just like your brushes,
sometimes your switch will simply wear-out and require replacement with
or without visible signs of damage.
Well, now it's now time to
revisit that armature. First, take a look at the commutator bars, or the
things your brushes connect with along the electrical path. The bars
should form a perfect circle; if any bars are raised or missing this can
cause brush damage and non-contact with the brushes. The commutators,
as well as the rest of the assembly, may have also suffered some
heat-damage; this will, again, look like burning, charring, melting, or
colorful discoloration of the metal. If you have heat damage on your
armature, chances are your other components will be in the red-zone as
well. A damaged armature must be replaced with rapidity.
Hint: In
addition to causing brush damage, damaged commutators can also cause
arcing within the tool which will manifest to the user as a loss of
power and performance. Remember also that when you experience a lack of
power or performance, all the tool's components are overworking and
likely overheating as well which leads, of course, to heat-damage. If
you're not careful you'll be dumb-struck by a tool with a bunch a
fried-up components. Next on the checklist is your field; if your field
is damaged you will again see burning, melting, or discoloration of the
body, wire, or insulation. Additionally, before it goes kaput, the tool
will feel sluggish or unambitious with a general lack of power and
performance. Field damage most commonly occurs as a result of
overlaoding or overheating within the tool (which is a result over
misusing or abusing the tool). If the field is damaged, it, like the
armature, should be replaced quickly.
Hint: Damaged parts always
need to be replaced to prevent spreading damage to the tool's other
components. A damaged field or armature will usually reflect damage in
the rest of the tool's parts. Additionally, if the tools other
components are severely damaged, it is a good indicator of deeper damage
to the armature and field, so, if your switch or brushes are
significantly damaged, you must check the other components as well.
Double additionally, just like you might need to change your car's oil
and air filters the same time, brush, switch, armature, or field damage
occur in any order, in any combination, or all together. Accordingly,
it's important that you give your power tool a complete check-up at the
earliest signs of wear.
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