SDS drill sparking..

mattg4321 · Nov 25, 2021

As above, SDS drill sparking and intermittently down on power. Sparking between brushes and commutator.

Brushes and springs seem ok, but have quite a curved surface at point of contact. Loads of meat left on brushes.

Will changing brushes fix it or is it dead?!

Petej999 · Nov 25, 2021

mattg4321 said:
As above, SDS drill sparking and intermittently down on power. Sparking between brushes and commutator.

Brushes and springs seem ok, but have quite a curved surface at point of contact. Loads of meat left on brushes.

Will changing brushes fix it or is it dead?!

change or redress the brushes

Vortigern · Nov 25, 2021

sounds like the commutator is Knacked from your desciption so yeh its a scrapper.

Petej999 · Nov 25, 2021

Vortigern said:
sounds like the commutator is Knacked from your desciption so yeh its a scrapper.

Dom't agree get it serviced if you can't do it yerself , save some scrotes, scrap it my bum.

timhoward · Nov 25, 2021

Try carefully cleaning the commutator and brushes with alcohol or if you need something with more oomph a little fibreglass brush (gently)

Vortigern · Nov 25, 2021

I am not sure if he means the commutator is curved or the brushes. If the former then it's knacked. If the latter it's still knacked as the commutator must be rough to cause the brushes to curve.

mattg4321 · Nov 25, 2021

Vortigern said:
I am not sure if he means the commutator is curved or the brushes. If the former then it's knacked. If the latter it's still knacked as the commutator must be rough to cause the brushes to curve.

Brushes are curved. The middle is more worn than the edges.

telectrix · Nov 25, 2021

pics of commutator helpful. usually you can see any signs of damage ibetween the segments.

Marvo · Nov 25, 2021

mattg4321 said:
Brushes are curved. The middle is more worn than the edges.

The ends of the brushes should be curved, they're running on a circular commutator. As above a few pics of the commutator, brushes and armature would be helpful.

Vortigern · Nov 25, 2021

mattg4321 said:
Brushes are curved.

Yeh I had this pic that they were worn on the edges and not meeting the commutator. It's a well known fact if you try to sell a drill in a second hand shop they switch it on and if there are sparks on the commutator they will not buy it. Of course they are curved as they contact the commutator but the sparking usually means Knacked. However I have been known to clean the contact points and new brushes and hey presto problem solved. I am not for chucking tools unecassarily

brianmoooore · Nov 25, 2021

If the brushes are sliding freely in their tubes, the copper braid hasn't caught up somehow, restricting their movement, and it's still sparking excessively, then it's knackered.

mattg4321 · Nov 26, 2021

Just as I thought really then. I’ll try and get some pics anyway though at some point

telectrix · Nov 26, 2021

a bit of sparking is normal. if the armature is knackered, then generally the drill runs slower and sometimes stinks of dead fish. a new armature can be got for around £30 - £40 for a lot of drills. expensive drill can be worth the repair.

mattg4321 · Nov 30, 2021

Pictures and video ad promised. Think it's dead?

DPG · Nov 30, 2021

Unfortunately I don't think anyone can open pictures today

Sparkgap · Dec 1, 2021

mattg4321 said:
Pictures and video ad promised. Think it's dead?

Can't see too much as I can't download the piccys but looks like a dirty commutator. Try cleaning with Qtips and alcohol. Springs on brushes look ok so don't think it's lack of pressure unless there's something holding back the brush when it's in the drill.