I have had a 18-V DeWalt lithium power cordless drill that is 6 or 8 yrs old but it has been lightly used, I am not a tradesman or anything. The thing now belches sparks and smoke when I went to use it the other day so I guess it's fried. Can these these drills be repaired or is it just toast? Is fixing it viable or cheaper to buy another one?
Thanks, namsag.
Pull off the back cover (uses T10 torx screws IIRC), remove the bushes and give everything a good cleaning with some electrical contact cleaner, making sure to get all the little gaps in the commutator (the copper thing) cleaned out. My 18V did the exact same thing and it was a combination of dust from the shop environment and dust from the bushes wearing that built up in and around the commutator. Make sure it's all dry before putting it back together, reassemble and it should work good as new.
Spook50 you are owed a beer (or several) in Tupelo MS. I took your advice, lots of sawdust and gunk inside the drill. Took the motor out. No way to get it apart to get to the brushes and commutator, but I flushed it well with contact cleaner, washed out an amazing amount of carbon dust and other gunk. Let it dry all hot afternoon and reassembled. It seems to be its old self now. I really appreciate the advice,I just ordered cargo barrier yesterday and a new drill was not in the plan of the month. Many thanks!
