Evolution Powerfile - Avoid!

[Turbo]

Last year a grateful client gifted our Men's Shed an Evolution Powerfile in return for constructing a wishing well in his garden, plus making other items.
https://shop.evolutionpowertools.com/products/file_sander

It has been used quite a lot & we have found it better & more versatile than the B&D version.

Now you are wondering why I don't recommend it? Read on!

Last week we discovered the sanding head had broken off - no problem, they are vulnerable to that, I've broken a B&D one in a similar way.
It wasn't the actual sanding head but the bit it attaches to.

It's a very poor design with very little metal around the hole in the casting.

Anyway, I went online to get a parts list & source a new part. Couldn't find anything so I contacted Evolution customer services. That's when I got the bad news - the only spares available for the Evolution powerfile are the sanding head itself & the motor brushes!

So a £60 tool from a recognised brand is now scrap! Spares are available for their saws, etc, why not this tool? B&D can supply all parts for their powerfile!

I might try a repair but I doubt that this stuff is weldable.

 

[northwest]

I might try a repair but I doubt that this stuff is weldable.

You can try aluminium solder, that might work. It's what I would do anyway.

 

[Kram]

Can you get a photo of just the broken part? It looks quite a simple one to replicate out of solid bar.

 

[Onoff]

3D print a repair piece?

Maybe not such a silly idea:

power file or belt sander for angle grinder by deryoshi

This belt sander was made for a Bosch 14-125 CIE angle grinder with speed control. I do not recommend using it at full speed! It might also fit many other belt sanders but make sure you use one that allows for a low speed setting.It works really great!You require 2 bearings (22x7x8), a spring...

www.thingiverse.com

 

[ian f]

same model under clarke name https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cla...1_1727212768_1eb345c90248cb114c27f5a182337469 might be worth calling machine mart parts dept (dont hold your breath though, when the speed control went on my evolution they quoted £60 plus vat and 6 months delivery(i decided to join the wires and run at max speed)

 

[indy4x]

Could always try Clarke direct, found them more useful than MM for spares

 

[JOEPRO]

@bourbon may be able to check if spares are available?

 

[Turbo]

same model under clarke name https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cla...1_1727212768_1eb345c90248cb114c27f5a182337469 might be worth calling machine mart parts dept (dont hold your breath though, when the speed control went on my evolution they quoted £60 plus vat and 6 months delivery(i decided to join the wires and run at max speed)

Many thanks for the link, just sent an email to Clarke, we'll see how it goes.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I might try a repair but I doubt that this stuff is weldable.

I might have a body for the evolution file somewhere in my loft...if I can find it you are welcome to it....believe it was still running fine but even if it isn't you can scavenge the bits you need.

I never got on with the thing so when the wheel fell off the end it got thrown in a junk box somewhere!

 

[Turbo]

I might have a body for the evolution file somewhere in my loft...if I can find it you are welcome to it....believe it was still running fine but even if it isn't you can scavenge the bits you need.

I never got on with the thing so when the wheel fell off the end it got thrown in a junk box somewhere!

That would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bourbon]

Evolution stuff, We just send back to supplier if in the warranty period. The Clarke one has no spares available, As far as I know. Sorry.

 

[Danez]

I'm after a powerfile myself....I know many people recommend the B&D one but I'd prefer an air powered one that's not as bulky if anyone can recommend any

 

[MickeyW]

I'm after a powerfile myself....I know many people recommend the B&D one but I'd prefer an air powered one that's not as bulky if anyone can recommend any

I have an ancient B&D one that my dad bought. I use it every now and then, and prefer it over my air powered powerfile. The electric one is far quieter to use. Bulk has never been an issue.

 

[bourbon]

Silverline one for me. Some may say they are not the best quality. But for a serous DIYer like myself, they are fine. The motor is inline so you don't have the bulk sticking out the side.

 

[leadpig]

Strange mines over 15 years old, it's been hammerd and still fine, was it dropped?

 

[Danez]

Silverline one for me. Some may say they are not the best quality. But for a serous DIYer like myself, they are fine. The motor is inline so you don't have the bulk sticking out the side.

Just bought this badboy

Been so many times where I could have done with one when getting rid of rust so I reckon it'll come in handy on the talbot

Just wish bosch did one with their 12v range so I could use my batteries for it!

 

[Morris]

Strange mines over 15 years old, it's been hammerd and still fine, was it dropped?

This. I've had mine for a few years and abuse it regularly, never had a problem.

 

[JOEPRO]

I prefer air files. Had an electric one but belt speeds are slower and the whole unit is just too bulky. A small air file is perfect for what I use it for which is car body rust repairs reaching into cills etc

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I'm still looking for the evolution body...I know I have it but it's hiding from me

 

[Turbo]

I'm still looking for the evolution body...I know I have it but it's hiding from me

Try looking for something else and you might find the file instead.

I've been sorting through a collection of used sla batteries, trying to restore some with a new smart charger and scrapping the duds.
I've lost one battery and it was one of the few good ones, full capacity and holding a full charge!