LOLOMGWTFDREMEL=?BBQ. Dremel problems.

Fullmetal Chocobo

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May 13, 2003
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Okay, so I wsa working on the plexiglass for the windows in my case last night. I am just rounding off the edges of 1/4" plexiglass, and then putting the fan holes in the plexi.

Well, I have the Lithium Ion cordless Dremel, and it makes this high pitch whine, and it won't even cut anything with the cutting wheels. It's like at the slightest pressure, it seizes up. WTF? This is fvcking useless. And it's not even a month old.

Do I need to replace the brushes or something? I don't know. I've e-mailed them (Dremel), but I haven't heard from them yet. ANd I was planning on getting this windows done within the week.

Oh, and my wife lost her purse in the mail (damned USPS), so I don't have the receipt, so I can't use the warranty on it. So it's either pay to get this one fixed, or get one of those corded dremels...

Anyone, ideas, help, thoughts???
Tas.
 

gotensan01

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Jul 6, 2004
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What are the conditions?

How many minutes/hours were you using it before the problem occurred?

Did you follow the instructions before using it for the first time (e.g. something like charge the battery overnight, put oil on, etc.)?

Have you tried fully recharging it again then using it?

I bought a used, corded dremel tool. After using it for about 15 minutes straight, it stopped running. Turned out that I had to let it cool down before using it again.

Also, keep in mind that the torque isn't unlimited. If you are trying to cut through a piece of metal/anything that is pinching, the dremel will most likely stop. It isn't just pinching either, if you apply too much pressure it will also stop. The key to cutting with a dremel isn't to apply a ton a pressure, it's to slowly "sand" the material off/down.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
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Like gotensan hinted, the key to using a Dremel is to use it as it's meant to be used. Only use the outermost portion of whatever bit you're using, as it will have the highest velocity. Don't apply much pressure, as this really stresses the motor.
 

natto fire

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2000
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I would try changing the brushes, but the whining might have been the bearings, which are not easily changed.
 

Zepper

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May 1, 2001
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As another said, you have to know what you are doing, both how to use the tool and which and how to use the various bits. IOW, the cutting wheels (ceramic) aren't the best with plastic. The bit that looks like a little circular saw blade and others in the series (193-199) are better or one of the cutters (like the 561) or some in the 9000 series. And all need to be used at slow speeds with plastic so that you CUT and not MELT the plastic. There are several dremel guides around the web. And the dremel site itself gives lots of tips for bit selection and use (go to the specific page for each bit and you will find uses and a speeds chart).

.bh.
 

Fullmetal Chocobo

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Damn. Okay, I know how to use a dremel. I may not be a professional, but I do know how to work it. I am using fresh batteries, and they are fully charged. I'm not forcing the cutting wheel into the material. I'm barely laying it against it to cut, and the cutting wheel is stopping. The friction that normally cuts the material is completely stopping the tool.

The Lithium Ion does not have replaceable brushes from my understanding, and I've been reading the manuals and everything trying to figure out what is going on.

Yes, I followed the instructions for the tool. And this isn't the first time I was using it. I've been using it on misc. stuff for about a month now. This is the first time I was using it for the finished products on my case windows. (I have completed a test window with fan mounts and everything, which is how I now that it is not performing as it should be).

I was using it for about 20 minutes at a speed of 4 / 10, and I had took it into the living room and set it under the fan to cool off. When I went back out is when this problem was noticed.

I understand the Dremel is a high speed, low torque tool. But when I place a cutting disc at a speed of 6 / 10 against a 1/4" sheet of plexiglass, the cutting disc should not stop.

These are not the ceramic cutting discs, but the reinforced fiberglass cutting discs. They recommend a speed of two for plastics, but it was a bit too slow for plexiglass, so I was going between 4 and 6. Now, I have to use it at 10 to get any cutting done at all.

Tas.
 

NotquiteanooB

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Apr 14, 2005
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I have a corded Dremel. While re-grooving the faces of some old forged golf clubs I was actually able to stall the motor by applying too much pressure. Now when I'm using the Dremel for almost any job it will jam to a stop without much pressure applied. Motor is still turning 10,000 but the bit is stopped. It's not brushes; but more likely a burnt out drive clutch.
 

GalvanizedYankee

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Oct 27, 2003
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Originally posted by: NotquiteanooB
I have a corded Dremel. While re-grooving the faces of some old forged golf clubs I was actually able to stall the motor by applying too much pressure. Now when I'm using the Dremel for almost any job it will jam to a stop without much pressure applied. Motor is still turning 10,000 but the bit is stopped. It's not brushes; but more likely a burnt out drive clutch.


Bingo!! I have an older Dremel, model 395, type 5, 1.15amp. This type has no clutch.

On the Dremel USA home page the link for owners club has a letter about this problem.
A two year warrenty and quick turn around. OP send your unit in. Even with no receipt
and no registration by the DoM they can tell it's not two years old. Say it was a gift.



g/y
 

Fullmetal Chocobo

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I've talked to them today, and I've already got it boxed up and ready to ship out when I can, but I think I will be getting a corded Dremel in the mean time. I really want to get this work done as soon as possible. Thanks for everyone's input...
Tas.
 

NotquiteanooB

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Apr 14, 2005
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Thanks for the tip YankeeGal ... Mine is much older than 2 years, but I'll give it a try for a new one.!
 

Lithan

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Aug 2, 2004
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Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
Okay, so I wsa working on the plexiglass for the windows in my case last night. I am just rounding off the edges of 1/4" plexiglass, and then putting the fan holes in the plexi.

Well, I have the Lithium Ion cordless Dremel, and it makes this high pitch whine, and it won't even cut anything with the cutting wheels. It's like at the slightest pressure, it seizes up. WTF? This is fvcking useless. And it's not even a month old.

Do I need to replace the brushes or something? I don't know. I've e-mailed them (Dremel), but I haven't heard from them yet. ANd I was planning on getting this windows done within the week.

Oh, and my wife lost her purse in the mail (damned USPS), so I don't have the receipt, so I can't use the warranty on it. So it's either pay to get this one fixed, or get one of those corded dremels...

Anyone, ideas, help, thoughts???
Tas.




You either burnt the hell out of the motor or Ground down some gears. Lemme guess you used wheels instead of a router bit to cut the plexy? Plexy melts and grips the wheel. Basically makes ASSLOADS of friction. And since dremels are High RPM and not designed to face heavy resistance, cutting things like plexy with the wheels will almost certainly kill them sooner or later.
 

Fullmetal Chocobo

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May 13, 2003
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Originally posted by: Lithan
Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
Okay, so I wsa working on the plexiglass for the windows in my case last night. I am just rounding off the edges of 1/4" plexiglass, and then putting the fan holes in the plexi.

Well, I have the Lithium Ion cordless Dremel, and it makes this high pitch whine, and it won't even cut anything with the cutting wheels. It's like at the slightest pressure, it seizes up. WTF? This is fvcking useless. And it's not even a month old.

Do I need to replace the brushes or something? I don't know. I've e-mailed them (Dremel), but I haven't heard from them yet. ANd I was planning on getting this windows done within the week.

Oh, and my wife lost her purse in the mail (damned USPS), so I don't have the receipt, so I can't use the warranty on it. So it's either pay to get this one fixed, or get one of those corded dremels...

Anyone, ideas, help, thoughts???
Tas.




You either burnt the hell out of the motor or Ground down some gears. Lemme guess you used wheels instead of a router bit to cut the plexy? Plexy melts and grips the wheel. Basically makes ASSLOADS of friction. And since dremels are High RPM and not designed to face heavy resistance, cutting things like plexy with the wheels will almost certainly kill them sooner or later.


Yes, but I actually had to use the cutting wheel after the multi-purpose bit for the router attachment wasn't working... I did try the router attachment first though...
Tas.