dropped foredom

Hooked · #1 03-26-2008, 12:22 PM

Okay, got a hanging stand for my foredom, set it up and hung the foredom unit.
A few minutes later...Crash.. . it all went tumbling to the basement floor.

No visible damage...but when I hit the pedal nothing happens. Wandering if anyone has any trouble shooting ideas before I have to send it in to Foredom?
It is the SR 1/6 HP model.

Hooked · #2 03-26-2008, 12:23 PM

Or if there any better alternatives than Foredom to get it repaired?

Hugh P. · #3 03-26-2008, 03:08 PM

Try the brushes, but first check the switch to see if it got turned off when it fell. The brushes are about the only thing that I can think of that might have been damaged. There should be a replacement set with the foredom when it was purchased. Mine has dropped a number of times, with no damage. There tough.

susieq · #4 03-26-2008, 03:52 PM

What Hugh said....
Plug it directly into the wall outlet, instead of the pedal to try it also...
Use the switch to turn it on. Good luck. It should take more than a fall to put one of those out of commission.

Hooked · #5 03-26-2008, 04:11 PM

It fell from the top of the hanging stand onto a concrete floor. I did check the brushes and they looked fine. I also plugged something else into the outlet to make sure it was working. I will try thr suggestion of plugging it directly into the outlet. Atleast then I will know for sure if it is the motor that is not working. Thanks!

Hooked · #6 03-26-2008, 04:37 PM

Okay, used your suggestion (plug motor in directly to outlet) and nothing happened when I switched it to forward, but when I start to push it back to off it starts running. In other words when I barely move the switch back to the off position it will run as long as I hold it there. If I let go it stops, so looks like something happened to the switch in the crash. Thanks for the suggestion. Atleast I know exactly what is wrong with it now!

susieq · #7 03-26-2008, 05:29 PM

That doesn't sound too bad..... I would still send it back to Foredom for repair. They are nice folks to deal with. I have had work done on my micro motor over the last 10 years, new bearings, etc... always happy with the results. Hope you get carving again soo. (times like this is when you feel the need for a backup machine)

Hooked · #8 03-26-2008, 05:52 PM

funny you should mention "back up machine." Since I bought one on ebay last night. LOLs. I probably can't afford it, but I got the bug!!! Got the same motor and pedal with flex shaft,brand new, just no hand piece for about $150.

Hugh P. · #9 03-26-2008, 08:40 PM

I finally ran a piece of wire over the hook and around the bail of the motor on the foredom. Lots of times when you put a little extra pressure on the bit when removing wood, the cable will loop, and sometimes this will throw the motor in the air making it fall from the stand.

susieq · #10 03-26-2008, 10:32 PM

That is something mine has never done....loop the shaft, I mean. Burying the bit too deep in the wood while working will cause the handpiece to buck like a muel and the shaft to chatter wildly...especially if it is a cutzall bit.

The hangers are nice but yeah, you can't have the thing throwing itself off of the hanger when you work....not cool. The old hospital surplus IV hanger on a stand with wheels, has hangers for 4 IVs. The end of each hanger is actually more of a loop that you slide the handle of the motor over and into. Even if it did buck and kick enough to bounce the motor around, it couldn't come off of there.

I am glad you got a spare though. It's miserable not being able to carve while you wait to get something repaired. You really can't afford not to have an extra machine. Each of the 4 loops on my IV hanger, has a machine on it. I hate changing collets.....it's bad enough that you have to stop and change bits once in awhile .

But if something goes down for repair, I have plenty of backup.