Don't Make 'em Like They Used To

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dibbons

dibbons

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My first Dremel tool was purchased in the 1970's. Still remember gasket/port matching and polishing combustion chambers on a pair of small block cylinder heads right there on the kitchen table with it. I abused the heck out it and it got really hot in the process, but kept on going. Never failed that time, never failed afterward.

Now the last two I have purchased recently both gave out already. They seemed very touchy from the start, speed would suddenly drop off and then speed up later while the switch was in the same position. Also got very noisy, like a bearing was going out or something.

Since I lost the receipt, I guess I will call on the neighbor down the street who advertises that he repairs starters and alternators, I assume a small electric motor with brushes is very similar. I checked the brushes already, they still have some "meat" on them. I sprayed some contact cleaner through all of the vent holes and that, of course, had no curing effect either.

The little gadget attached to the electric cord has a warning "do not remove" so I left it on there. I find that is a theft-deterrent and has no bearing on the function of the tool:
What Is That Thing? – BTA Blog
 
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Yep, you sure are right, the variable speed on my newest one quit working, it runs wide open now. I've been aiming to take it apart and see if cleaning with contact cleaner would fix it. I've been through 3 in the last 15 years. First one just quit running, 2nd one got a bad vibration like the shaft was bent and now my 3rd one runs wide open.
 
I had bought the better Dremel tool with the electronic speed control built in and burnt it out in no time. Fortunately I sent it back and received a new one. I have an old one without the electronic speed control that I bought in 92 and it still runs like a champ. The Hi tech one can't be stalled because that's what kills them. The old one gets hot, stalls and keeps on running.
 
It used to be that the batteries in my tools went out & I had to toss the tools because the batteries were too expensive. Now the lithium ion batteries last forever & the tool craps out.
 
Hell I thought it was just me. I had my first one forever. When it went bad, I bought another, then another, well you get the idea.
 
Me too ! burned up 4 of 'um, just use air tools now.
 
I have killed the front bearings in a couple. One locked up and spun in the housing. I found a vintage one in my dads basement, maybe I should grab it.
 
Don't buy the dremel tool from Harbor Freight. I bought one when I was in my teens and it would just stop spinning as soon as you touched it to anything. Completely useless.
 
Update:
Picked up my Dremel 3000 from the neighbor down the street who said it overheated and the winding would need replacing. In other words, it died.

An online review website stated the model 3000 was not up to any real heavy work, models 4000 and above were recommended for that.

The instruction manual recommended running a new tool (or a used tool after replacing the brushes) for five minutes at full speed without a load in order to seat the brushes and extend the life of the tool. I did not read that beforehand.
 
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