Arcing belt sander

[g2k]

Just wondering what peoples' experience of this is. I have a belt sander that's practically new, and hasn't been used heavily. It runs fine but the bushes are arcing on the commutator very severely. I've not experienced this level of arcing from a power tool before, certainly not a new one and to top it all off my housemate has binned the receipt. Will the bushes eventually bed in or will this level of arcing ruin the commutator in a short space of time.

 

[the snooper]

If they are leaving scortch marks the brushes are either stuck or the armature or commutator has had it

 

[Wallace]

Is it a cheap belt sander? A good set of brushes has a radius on when new so they bed in quicker, some of the cheap kit has flat ends that arc like mad especially under load until they bed in.

 

[g2k]

Yup, a cheapie, the lidl £25 special, the commutator is visible from outside and noticeably darkened where the brushes make contact. I'm in two minds whether to try to take it back and argue the toss over the receipt or wait and see if they do bed in and the arcing abates.

 

[brightspark]

its knacked full stop face it

 

[Seadog]

Sometimes you can reduce the arcing by putting a bit of fine sandpaper 'twixt the comm and brush and working by hand to shape the end of the brush to the comm.

And make sure it is sandpaper and not emery. The emery will embed itself in the copper and wear the brushes like no-one's business.

 

[g2k]

Just opened it up, commutator is as black as the ace of spades and one of the brushes is absolutely ******* it ain't a pretty sight; almost back to the metal and totally mangled Could clean the commutator up and buy new brushes for half the price I paid for the sander (http://www.bonanzamarket.co.uk/list...&ad_type=pla&gclid=CMKzxpXCyc8CFUyNGwodmOYIsA), or take it back and have a row about the lack of receipt (I haven't broken any void warranty stickers by opening it up). ********!

 

[the snooper]

Just opened it up, commutator is as black as the ace of spades and one of the brushes is absolutely ******* (will post pics when my phone charges) it ain't a pretty sight; almost back to the metal and totally mangled Could clean the commutator up and buy new brushes for half the price I paid for the sander (http://www.bonanzamarket.co.uk/list...&ad_type=pla&gclid=CMKzxpXCyc8CFUyNGwodmOYIsA), or take it back and have a row about the lack of receipt (I haven't broken any void warranty stickers by opening it up). ********!

don't waste time and money. you wont cure it