Machine tools, like power tools and other machining equipment, appear in every professional garage and workshop as well as their residential counterparts such as home garages. They perform a wide array of functions including threading, boring, turning, and facing. But with too much use, these important tools can wear down and fall into disrepair.
Unfortunately, this can lead to projects and work being put off for some time while you either take your equipment to a power tool repair service location, or invest in new tools. But regular maintenance and upkeep can have them lasting longer.
To help you avoid having massive machine shop repair costs that could otherwise be avoided due to a lack of maintenance, here are some of the most common red flags a machine tool can have. Included are some steps to diagnose the problem, too.
Inspect the Power Switch
If a power tool works fine one minute and doesn’t the next, one of the most likely causes is the first part that comes along the power path, the power switch. The best way to be sure about the power switch when doing machine tool repair is to see if there’s visible damage. Heat damage will be the most common problem, showing up as melted or discolored wiring, or even melted plastic. But other common problems are things like power switches wearing out and just needing to be replaced.
For the most accurate diagnosis, take your equipment to a power tool repair service. They’ll have more advanced tools to diagnosis the issue.
Check Brushes For Wear, Heat Damage, and Chips
Wearing will always be close to, or just past, the brush’s wear lines, and heat damage will appear as dark areas on the brushes or some discoloration of the wires/springs in the same area.
Chips will be clearly visible, as they stand out when compared to a well maintained and perfectly fine brush. You should also make sure that the brush springs are still applying enough pressure to parts.
Look at The Commutator
Commutators should be perfectly round. Any sort of deformation, like high points or low points or other such warping, can cause off-and-on use. You should also look for missing bars or pads that can force the electrical current to be disrupted. Similarly, look for discoloration caused by heat damage.
So if you want to avoid costly power tool repair services, make sure you’re investing in regular maintenance and inspections before it’s too late. And these tips should help you know what to look for, too! Finding the problem before it starts getting worse can save you more than just money.
