Problem: This belt sander has been in and out of the shop on a yearly basis for some time now. Problem started when I ran over the cord and jammed it up in the machine breaking the belt. The local repair shop replaced the belt and cord, but something wasn’t right so I returned it. They then sent it to Bosch who offered to “replace a bushing” for $85. Authorized the repair and got the tool back. Was using the belt sander the other day and it was getting really hot. Then it started ratcheting. Took the side cover off and the belt is loose. The mrs took the sander in and they replaced the belt. Got the sander back and it wouldn’t even work. Belt just ratcheted. Clearly they never tested the tool. Returned the sander and they sent it to Bosch for repair. $85 and it “needs a bushing”. WTF? The service center had the tool sent back and they now say that it needs to be rebuilt for $150. I still have no clue what parts they want to put into it! Personally, I suspect something got bent when I ran over the cord and it’s never been properly fixed. The problem is that I never actually speak to the person making the repair so all information is second hand. Even then, I suspect they are just parts stabbers and are not actually diagnosing the issue. I’d really like to go old school and find a local repair guy, but they seem to be gone. I’m wondering where you guys send your tools in for repair?
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Replies
Crap
I may soon be in the same boat as you, my original tool supplier for 42 yrs is closing.
crap.
Calvin
Is that Tim at Electric Tool in Maumee?
Yessir
Electric Tool and Equipment is now no more.
sad day.
i know of no other that would put a tool in my hand so I could continue progress on a job.......
to tide me over till a part available or repair could be made.
I was very lucky to have been a customer and friend of Tim and his family. I won't forget them.
I don't have many tools to repair (bad bushings in a belt sander once, plus a couple of power switches, maybe a couple of others), but I've always just done it myself. Usually the parts list is in the manual or available online.
You have seen the future....
Nearst tool repair place to me is 106 miles away. They are really good, you can talk to the service guy personally if you hand deliver. I haven't had a repair I couldn't do myself though in a lot of years. Often they can give you the inside info on what parts tend to fail and etc. But I know that business model is on the wane.
An awful lot of repairs are pretty simple and but complex ones begin to look a little iffy a lot of times due to crazy parts costs, especially plastic housing parts and such. Bearings and such can usually be gotten at the local bearing house. Switches and brushes often can come from my ma and pa building supply. Sometimes it makes more sense to let a repairable tool go and replace it with like so you have a good source of parts.
Seems like a small gear puller/ bearing sperator set is a must have tool.
SWEET!
Nothing is better than free tools, if you can repair them cheaply. I find the parts are very expensive though, a wobble plate and bearing for a sawzall cost me nearly $40.
Do 100% own repairs on everything except own surgery and dental. (some of those also)
Helps to have a machine/welding/electronic/etc shop to make repair parts if they are not on ebay.
Do 100% own repairs on everything except own surgery and dental. (some of those also)
Helps to have a machine/welding/electronic/etc shop to make repair parts if they are not on ebay.
surgery alternative
I do a little sideline work on surgery and dental. Most of my dental practice is achieved with the 18" nippers. Easy in, easy out.
Joint replacements are normally done with carved TYP, cedar parts are a small upgrade.I have used deer vertebrae and discs picked up around the yard for back surgery but there are no warranties for that work.
If you buy Festools and have a problem you can send them to Indiana and they will fix them at there U.S. HQ for free (less shipping to them) for the first 3 years you own them. They will cover shipping both ways for the first year. These guys are sharp. I doubt you'll find anyone recruited from McDonald's there.
I've had some out of warranty tools refurbished and/or fixed there as well. Very reasonable cost; and quick. I've always gotten my tools back (from VA) within a week of sending them out.
need a belt sander
anyone have one just laying around?
Depends on how much it originally cost and whether I can fix it myself. If it's easy, like a switch I'll buy the part, usually off Amazon, and do it myself. If it's a repair that I don't wan t to mess with and the tool was under $200.00 I throw it away. My tool repair place charges $40.00 to just look, no repair included. They charge $95.00 for a new drill trigger but I can buy a new dril for $119.00. My time is money and as soon as you start delivering broken tools to a shop, doing without for a week or two then driving back, paying the bill, etc. it's usually cheaper to juk it and buy new.