While cutting some slots lengthwise in some 1" brass pipe it flashed/popped stopped and tripped the breaker downstairs. I haven’t plugged it in since. I’m guessing it fried the motor.
What may have happened is that one of the brushes broke and got jammed between the commutator and the case. I’d take it apart and see what happened-- it may be fixable. New Dremels are not cheap–
Hello,
Check out this site.
http://messageboard.dremel.com/Default.aspx
Might find more help there.
Rod L.
I don’t know how willing I’d be to plug it in and test it. Flashing and popping aren’t normal attributes of any power tool.
Check that site mentioned above, and whatever you do, be careful. Moto-tools don’t live forever (I’m on my second… and well on my way to my third after cutting holes plaster cielings at my house), and potentially putting yourself at risk of a shock isn’t the best idea. $80 might be a small price to pay for piece of mind. After all, when you’re using any power tool you should be focused on what you’re doing (i.e. what you’re cutting). You should be distracted by wondering if the tool is going to fail/flash/pop/catch fire/etc. while you’re performing your task.
Erik
Three years ago I bought a new knock off Dremel off ebay for $12 and a Demel flex cord for $20 and I use it all the time in wood carving and restoring trains and never had a problem with it.