Thread: Old power tool disposal

Originally Posted by skeghead

There was a flash of light from the motor. Then nothing.

The age and symptoms suggest it's blown the commutator - bin job i'm afraid.

From your comment about the weight it would be worth recycling for the metal content rather than landfill.

You probably won't get a lot, but at least something useful can come from it.

From your description (aged and heavy) it probably has brushes.

Before writing it off I'd check for that; it is possible that a resurrection would be as simple as replacing them.

If it does have brushes, it's also a good idea to shine a light down one of the holes when the brush is removed and inspect the commutator for wear and tear, slowly turning the motor over by hand for a full inspection.

If either of the brushes has worn so far that it was 'just a spring' or has obvious chunks broken off, then it has probably damaged the commutator.

Any heavy gouges, missing chunks on the commutator, etc. mean that it's not worth repairing as these'll chew the new brushes out quite quickly and brushes aren't that cheap. Besides, it's electrically risky.

If, as suggested above, the armature windings have blown, well... yeah... bin job. But it should only takes a few seconds to determine one way or t'other.

I wouldn't be so quick in binning it either. I'd start with the brushes. I have repaired communator using epoxy to fill in pitted or missing segments. It worked for another 10 years before I gave it away to a friend.

Failing all of the above put a notice in the forum swap of free section, I 'm sure some one will make use of it

As per what China said. Parts alone will be maybe helpful for someone else if the thing is indeed cactus- fence, handle, trigger, guard etc and sometimes they can be swapped into other models.

Stewie

Originally Posted by labr@

From your comment about the weight it would be worth recycling for the metal content rather than landfill.

Good luck. You might find that the scrap metal dealer's refuse it, even as a gift, as the mixture of metals makes it "too hard".

Do you have such places called "Maker Labs?" Tons of junk parts and machinery to strip like medical pumps, etc.
Somebody donates a 3D printer, Might have a 3D CAD cutter, things like that? Keeps kids really busy.
Let them strip your machinery for the goodies inside like the motor.

I donated all the 1/2 sourced projects that I had, maybe 10kg nuts, bolts & screws, untold numbers of pc boards, rack frames, etc
It was a truck-load by the time I backed up to their door.

I go to Crown Assets disposal auctions for entertainment. Good junk is $0.08/lb (what does your saw weigh? That's what it's worth to me.)
Fabulous junk = medical processing machines etc, I'll go $0.12/lb and maybe $0.15/lb if I think it might be a gold mine.
I got a working vacuum pump, all the hoses and gauges, that way. Current price for the pump alone was $350.00.

I don't hoard any of it. What I can't see a personal use for goes the Maker Lab.

Nothing like that, hereabouts, Robson. Might be something in Melbourne or Sydney.

Even charities and op shops have stopped accepting donations of old electrical machinery or tools.

I won't dump it, see if I can find a power tool repairer first.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Nothing like that, hereabouts, Robson. Might be something in Melbourne or Sydney.
Even charities and op shops have stopped accepting donations of old electrical machinery or tools.

Good Sammys will take electricals here in WA as they have team off volunteer sparkies that test and tag the gear.

However, the gear has to be in working condition and in some cases are close to being SWAMPED with certain products.

We took all of mums working electricals (including the 7 pedestal fans) to Good Sammys on High Rd in Willeton and noted they had 6 large crates of pedestal fans.

When we cleaned out MILs place the family took some of the electricals and I put the rest (fans, lamps, radios, toasters, food processors, kettles etc) into boxes on the verge and it all went in less than a day.

If you have old tools and working machinery to give away contact your local mens shed or mens shed state association.

I think I will move to Canada

If you have to resort to disposal, there may be some restrictions on dumping it as many councils are encouraging recycling of E-waste which includes old power tools. Check with your local council, and E-waste recyclers such as Endeavour Foundation etc.

When I dump non-working or unsafe electrical appliances or tools I always cut off the plug and destroy the pins on the plug - just to be sure no one will attempt to use it.