Angle grinder trouble - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

heeroyue2002 · 05-03-2010, 08:59 PM

Sorry no clue where this goes. I have a 4 1/2 dewalt grinder that overheated on me. It now makes a weird noise and sparks when i engage it. What can i do? Am i able to fix it myself or should it be taken in to a shop?

Sub-versive · 05-03-2010, 09:09 PM

Personally, buy a new one. They are $40-$50, they not worth messing with.
I have a Makita, Bosch, and Metabo, two paddle switch, one slide switch, all under $50. Just my opinion.

heeroyue2002 · 05-03-2010, 09:21 PM

Oh its not the cheaper one. They are like $90 and
i cant afford a new one since im trying to buy a tranny plus i have some debt

im pretty much hoping someone can steer me in the directionnof what i need to check and replace. I did take it apart and i can see whats sparking but i dont know the cause.

cdowns · 05-03-2010, 09:27 PM

with the aid of the instruction manual and parts list taking it apart you can have a look, it doesnt cost anything to do that and its already busted so you can either save it finish it off or it stays the same either way you have a chance to see how it works and gain some knowledge

usmcchevy · 05-03-2010, 09:46 PM

You can order parts, or find a Dewalt service center, I have one 20 mins away. They do good work and warranty it!

Hoods69BadBowTie · 05-03-2010, 09:48 PM

No idea man I was gonna say buy another one until I read your post about being broke! I would look for an owners manual for it JMHO!

**leddzepp** · 05-03-2010, 09:50 PM

I am pretty sure a shop will tell you to just buy a new one, but you can give it a try...

100%Chevy · 05-03-2010, 10:13 PM

Dewalt,Black and Decker and Craftsman are pretty much the same grinder.
Sounds like you need new brushes.
Take the grinder with it's part/serial number to the nearest dealer or wholesale house and ask for the brushes.
They're easy to change out.
Also,take a piece of fine emery cloth(180 grit)and clean the black carbon off the commutator.It's the part of the motor that the brushes ride on.
The black carbon and worn brushes cause a bad connection and will make it throw sparks.
Less than a $10.00 repair.
Mike.

Sillyoldman · 05-03-2010, 10:17 PM

Toss in some new brushes. If that don't work chuck it.

Sub-versive · 05-03-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heeroyue2002

Oh its not the cheaper one. They are like $90 and
i cant afford a new one since im trying to buy a tranny plus i have some debt

im pretty much hoping someone can steer me in the directionnof what i need to check and replace. I did take it apart and i can see whats sparking but i dont know the cause.

Only one of mine might be considered a cheaper one, the Bosch was a sweet sale deal, the Metabo should be $120-$150, but it's knowing the right people(a supplier that used a new grinder for a demo show-nobody would buy it, so I offered $50 and got it

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

with the aid of the instruction manual and parts list taking it apart you can have a look, it doesnt cost anything to do that and its already busted so you can either save it finish it off or it stays the same either way you have a chance to see how it works and gain some knowledge

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100%Chevy

Dewalt,Black and Decker and Craftsman are pretty much the same grinder.
Sounds like you need new brushes.
Take the grinder with it's part/serial number to the nearest dealer or wholesale house and ask for the brushes.
They're easy to change out.
Also,take a piece of fine emery cloth(180 grit)and clean the black carbon off the commutator.It's the part of the motor that the brushes ride on.
The black carbon and worn brushes cause a bad connection and will make it throw sparks.
Less than a $10.00 repair.
Mike.

Since it's a cash flow issue, and if you have the time, these guys have the best advice.

BarryB · 05-03-2010, 10:48 PM

I have one that did the same thing, You can get the parts for them, I never did though it's still in a box waiting for me to order the parts. there are brush holders and then the brushes. you'll probably need both. If I remember correctly the parts were like 18 bucks. I also have a dewalt corded sawsall I need some parts for. I just hate paying all the shipping for little parts.

68C15 · 05-03-2010, 11:04 PM

"over heated and now it makes weird noises and throws sparks"? sounds to me like the commutator is toast. you got nothing to loose by taking it apart and looking at it. see if a segment or 2 of the commutator is burned. repair may be higher than replacement. if so I would hit the pawn shops and get another one. I got my DW401 3 years ago for $15 that way. it works great and gets plenty of abuse from fiberglass grinding.(45 YO boat)

**El Jay** · 05-04-2010, 12:29 AM

I'm with everybody else. Get a set of brushes (& holders) and give it a whirl.
If you have to take it apart, clean up the commutator with some emery cloth, not sand paper, and take a DULL knife and clean out the grooves on the commutator.

D-Rat · 05-04-2010, 02:02 PM

Go on your local craigslist and find one just like it for $25.

05-03-2010, 08:59 PM	#1
heeroyue2002 fat old dude Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: fresno, california Posts: 1,424	Angle grinder trouble Sorry no clue where this goes. I have a 4 1/2 dewalt grinder that overheated on me. It now makes a weird noise and sparks when i engage it. What can i do? Am i able to fix it myself or should it be taken in to a shop?

05-03-2010, 09:09 PM	#2
Sub-versive Boss Hogg Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Beaver State Posts: 2,361	Re: Angle grinder trouble Personally, buy a new one. They are $40-$50, they not worth messing with. I have a Makita, Bosch, and Metabo, two paddle switch, one slide switch, all under $50. Just my opinion.

05-03-2010, 09:21 PM	#3
heeroyue2002 fat old dude Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: fresno, california Posts: 1,424	Re: Angle grinder trouble Oh its not the cheaper one. They are like $90 and i cant afford a new one since im trying to buy a tranny plus i have some debt im pretty much hoping someone can steer me in the directionnof what i need to check and replace. I did take it apart and i can see whats sparking but i dont know the cause.

05-03-2010, 09:27 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Angle grinder trouble with the aid of the instruction manual and parts list taking it apart you can have a look, it doesnt cost anything to do that and its already busted so you can either save it finish it off or it stays the same either way you have a chance to see how it works and gain some knowledge __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

05-03-2010, 09:46 PM	#5
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: Angle grinder trouble You can order parts, or find a Dewalt service center, I have one 20 mins away. They do good work and warranty it! __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index

05-03-2010, 09:48 PM	#6
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Angle grinder trouble No idea man I was gonna say buy another one until I read your post about being broke! I would look for an owners manual for it JMHO! __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

05-03-2010, 09:50 PM	#7
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,985	Re: Angle grinder trouble I am pretty sure a shop will tell you to just buy a new one, but you can give it a try... __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

05-03-2010, 10:13 PM	#8
100%Chevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Moss Point,Ms. Posts: 1,439	Re: Angle grinder trouble Dewalt,Black and Decker and Craftsman are pretty much the same grinder. Sounds like you need new brushes. Take the grinder with it's part/serial number to the nearest dealer or wholesale house and ask for the brushes. They're easy to change out. Also,take a piece of fine emery cloth(180 grit)and clean the black carbon off the commutator.It's the part of the motor that the brushes ride on. The black carbon and worn brushes cause a bad connection and will make it throw sparks. Less than a $10.00 repair. Mike.

05-03-2010, 10:17 PM	#9
Sillyoldman #16876 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn WA Posts: 12,266	Re: Angle grinder trouble Toss in some new brushes. If that don't work chuck it. __________________ Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. *"I love that old car smell"* *Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.*

05-03-2010, 10:48 PM	#11
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: Angle grinder trouble I have one that did the same thing, You can get the parts for them, I never did though it's still in a box waiting for me to order the parts. there are brush holders and then the brushes. you'll probably need both. If I remember correctly the parts were like 18 bucks. I also have a dewalt corded sawsall I need some parts for. I just hate paying all the shipping for little parts. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

05-03-2010, 11:04 PM	#12
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: Angle grinder trouble "over heated and now it makes weird noises and throws sparks"? sounds to me like the commutator is toast. you got nothing to loose by taking it apart and looking at it. see if a segment or 2 of the commutator is burned. repair may be higher than replacement. if so I would hit the pawn shops and get another one. I got my DW401 3 years ago for $15 that way. it works great and gets plenty of abuse from fiberglass grinding.(45 YO boat)

05-04-2010, 12:29 AM	#13
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Angle grinder trouble I'm with everybody else. Get a set of brushes (& holders) and give it a whirl. If you have to take it apart, clean up the commutator with some emery cloth, not sand paper, and take a DULL knife and clean out the grooves on the commutator. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck

05-04-2010, 02:02 PM	#14
D-Rat Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 226	Re: Angle grinder trouble Go on your local craigslist and find one just like it for $25. __________________ 1970 CST with a screaming 400 www.nissan4wheelers.com



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