Poorly multi tool

[Jonathan Webb]

My multi tool has given sterling service but increasingly the drive is dropping out. It's branded Saxton (of blade fame, but they don't sell this any more ) so no idea what it is underneath but it's quite chunky & heavy - middle tier quality perhaps? Anyway, inside, the drive bearing has a rounded outer race - initially I thought it was meant to be like that, but I can't find any other slack/wriggle room so maybe it's worn - does anyone know which shape it should be? If I can save this for the price of a bearing I'd be chuffed. Many thanks

 

[Agroshield]

Anyway, inside, the drive bearing has a rounded outer race - initially I thought it was meant to be like that, but I can't find any other slack/wriggle room so maybe it's worn

If it were worn, where is the evidence of the material that has been removed?

 

[Bullet2012]

Remove the bearing and have a good look for any ID numbers

 

[hotponyshoes]

The Fein ones are like that so I'd say it's normal.
Well, the outer oval shape. Shouldn't have any play in it.

Saxton still make blades for the multi tools.

 

[leadpig]

buy fein, buy once cry once lol
night and day difference power wise, my first one lasted 8 years until it was killed by a 18 stone scotsman leaning on it without any teeth on the blade and blew the motor, the 350 i replaced it with is 4 years old and still ****** all over anything else ive used and are down to around £130 ish now
FMM350QSL

 

[brightspark]

buy fein, buy once cry once lol
night and day difference power wise, my first one lasted 8 years until it was killed by a 18 stone scotsman leaning on it without any teeth on the blade and blew the motor, the 350 i replaced it with is 4 years old and still ****** all over anything else ive used and are down to around £130 ish now
FMM350QSL

i have a dewalt 18 volt one and its the best cant fault it fein were the 1st to make them but been overtaken pricewise and quality

 

[leadpig]

i have a dewalt 18 volt one and its the best cant fault it fein were the 1st to make them but been overtaken pricewise and quality

as do i, there is no comparison between them, and as much as i like dewalt it makes enough noise to wake the dead lol, and the fein is far more powerful, to the point i would rather get a extension lead out than use the dewalt, but to be fair they are both better than the bloody bosch

 

[hotponyshoes]

as do i, there is no comparison between them, and as much as i like dewalt it makes enough noise to wake the dead lol, and the fein is far more powerful, to the point i would rather get a extension lead out than use the dewalt, but to be fair they are both better than the bloody bosch

I don't mind my bosch, quiet and smooth.
It does kill (physically) battries if you are really using it hard though.
I've got a dewalt but that's really hard work to change blades as the quick change lock doesn't seem to open far enough.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

If it were worn, where is the evidence of the material that has been removed?

Good point, ta. I'll have a proper look in the grease. Given the speed and nature of the rubbing, I'd expect virtually vapour to come off rather than swarf but there might be clues.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

The Fein ones are like that so I'd say it's normal.
Well, the outer oval shape. Shouldn't have any play in it.

Saxton still make blades for the multi tools.

Ta. Yes, they're in Bognor, a few miles from me but oddly cheaper to get the blades from eBay rather than call in ‍.

 

[Agroshield]

Similar bearings but with the inner race curved are called spherical bearings.

Maybe it is called something like an external sphere bearing. It is a bit unusual.

Another possible place to try is Solent Tools. They seem to specialise in spares for no-name brands.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Spherical outer race bearings

Bearingboys

Online

www.bearingboys.co.uk

 

[hotponyshoes]

Quite often used on drawer runners.
Less noise/friction I presume?

 

[pedrobedro]

More likely to be something on the drive like a worn pinion or cog if drive is dropping out but the motor is still running.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

More likely to be something on the drive like a worn pinion or cog if drive is dropping out but the motor is still running.

Dropping out isn't quite accurate I think, not sure, drive varies between being ok and possibly no movement or certainly much reduced movement. There isn't anything in there WRT pinions etc - the business end of the shaft has a bearing held in the larger diameter mass in the photo, then there's the eccentric lobe and the smaller rounded bearing that bears on a yoke in the head. AFAICT there's no play in the motor components or in the yoke bearing where it passes out through the head casting. Not sure how to assess it though - probably need to completely dismantle it to be able to put the motor shaft in the head and still be able to get to it. If nothing comes to light then, my current plan is to order a new bearing (that's rounded) and see what happens.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

Spherical outer race bearings

Bearingboys

Online

www.bearingboys.co.uk

Thanks for that link - interesting, and a spanner in the works . Unfortunately they don't have one small enough, this is 5x16x5. Will keep looking.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

If it were worn, where is the evidence of the material that has been removed?

The uncontaminated grease is a bit whiter than vaseline but near the yoke it's black?

 

[Jonathan Webb]

Remove the bearing and have a good look for any ID numbers

Just done that - can't see anything at all, even with my soldering magnifying glass with light. Got the measurements though. Thinking I'll order a cheapie to see if that cures it, rather than shell out on an SKF and find it's not the solution.