Thread: Another one of those eBay stories...

We've all heard stories about tools sold as defective whereby the only problem was worn brushes. This is one of those - and it's all true...

Was cruising around eBay and came across a reciprocating saw from Metabo that no-one seemed too interested in. I can understand why. These things (Makita J3000Vs for the most part) usually get worked to death by plumbers. If the blade jams and you're the type of tradesman who thinks pushing the trigger will eventually solve the problem, you will burr the spline and the crown wheel. This means a new arbour and a new crown wheel plus the part that caused the jam (usually a shaft).

Anyway, I thought I'd chuck in a bid and use it for spares if it was totally buggered. I was the highest bidder with: Euro 7,16 or around AUD 11,50.

Attachment 56003

I pulled it down once it got to me and what did I find? The brushes were so worn that one had flipped into the commutator space. Thinking it wasn't possible that this was the only problem, I pulled down the whole gear box and stripped it down to single parts.

Dirty as hell where it had been sucking in Giprock dust in the field housing but the gearbox was good. No filings in the grease. Spline good. No crown wheel like the Makita JR3000V. Instead, it uses an offset shaft to drive an arm (like the AEG pneumatic drills) - everything ready to go.

So I'm holding this METABO PSE 1200 thinking 12 bucks and the only thing wrong is the brushes? You gotta be kidding me! The recommended retail for these things is EUR 385 which is around AUD 638! (Don't know what they cost in Aussi but I'm sure like here no-one pays retail...)

I decided to change the two main bearings and the felt rings that seal the shaft. Spent 1 Euro on some new stickers while I was at it. All came today so I greased her up and put her all back together.

Attachment 56004

Runs like a charm. Variable speed on the trigger works beautifully. 360° rotating trigger grip. Shoe length can be changed with a lever so no extra tools are needed. Saw chuck is Metabo Quick system. Has a dial for orbital cutting. http://www.metabo.com/Sabre-saw-PSE-1200.12207.0.html

Attachment 56005

Knowing you picked it up for a song is almost as much fun as owning the tool itself.

Damien