Electric drill problem

looksee

Does anyone know what causes the blue flashes or arcing in the motor of an electric drill - it doesn't seem to affect the drill working, but its a bit alarming. Should I be concerned about it (its not an expensive drill, not worth repairing).

Hagar

The sparks are no harm at all. AFAIK it's just bits of carbon from the bushings igniting from contact with the rotor. In cheap drills the qc is low and the bushings may be slighly misshaped causing uneven contact. It'll probably stop after the drill has been in use for a while and the bushings have "leveled out" to the proper curved shape.

looksee

Ah thanks, though its not a new drill, I thought it meant it was wearing out. Anyway that is helpful, thanks.

Hagar

If it is an old drill and has just started happening it could mean the bushings are giving up. They can be replaced easily enough if your handy with a soldering iron and a lot cheaper than a new drill. They only cost couple of shekels for a pair from a decent tool shop.

311

I've a recipricating saw ,thats used everyday. It sparks inside and it's still as powerful as it was six years ago.

I think on cheaper motors ,this would result in ware. None of my powertools have had bushes replaced.
One Bosch Kango is over 20 years old:eek:

looksee

OK thanks everyone - very entertained at the notion of changing bushings, might give it a go though!

311

I had to change bushings for my dad's makita ,bought them in tucks and had them changed in a few minutes.

eoghan.geraghty

The sparks don't indicate any fault with the bushes.
Your drill is fine, leave it alone.

Avns1s

eoghan.geraghty wrote:

The sparks don't indicate any fault with the bushes.
Your drill is fine, leave it alone.

^^^ As he says!! Don't mess with it.

looksee

there wasn't really a lot of danger of me fiddling with it, if I had, chances are I would never have used it again. I'm a real wimp where electricity is involved

Alun

Brushes, people, not bushes or even bushings for that matter