While working on other projects, my Skil palm-sander started to flake out on me. The problem? The cheap #&@*& power switch. I show you how to tear down and reassemble the unit properly, and test out my fix.
I have just ran into the exact same problem, found whacking the plastic under power button with a piece of trim would work every now and then so I knew it was an internal issue with switch. Seeing what you have done makes me think it would be too time consuming to repair so, I guess a new palm sander is in order. Great video, and very well explained
In case anyone still has one of these and is trying to figure out how to get the %$#$! finned aluminum disc off, here's what works for me. Come into the top of the sander between the halves of the case and note that the shaft end in the top bearing is slotted. Using a flat-blade screwdriver, turn the shaft clockwise while holding onto the aluminum disc with your other hand. It'll unscrew quite nicely.
I'll add that unless the video is wrong, there are two versions of this sander. One, as shown, where the shaft retaining bolt is a left-hand thread and mine (and others), where it's a standard right-hand thread. The disc appears to have the *opposite* threading. So, in the video, he unscrews the disc by turning it counterclockwise; and mine, where the disc unscrews by turning it clockwise. FWIW, I dug into my hellbox and found a proper replacement switch rated at 15A from an old laser printer. I'm sure that eBay has lots of Chinese versions. I left off the rubber boot over the switch.
Excellent video. Came across your vid while investigating the history of skil sander's switch failures. Your issue mirrored my issue, except I harvest switches from junked devices constantly, thus four free switch options were available. I needed only one disassembly with one reassembly for proper switch replacement. In simple English...device works great again, last long time again.
if you really think about it .. it lasted 10yrs so it's not a cheap switch.. parts do break ..if the motor had gone you'd probably think nothing of it .. just my thought ..great Video .. ( my switch broke because it dropped on the switch and pushed it in.)
I bought a Dong Cheng palm sander and it worked satisfactorily for a year or so after which it started working as if there was some intermittent electrical connection. I tried to get it attended to but there was no one who would take the job on.So I decided to do the repair myself. None of the repair people seemed to know just how to disassemble the unit and the exploded view drawing that came with the unit was of a different model. Can you help me out with suggestions as to how I may take the sander apart to get at the brushes which I think are worn down and are the cause of the defective running. The model number is DSB 100 and is rated at 150 watts. The sander pictured in your very informative video looks very much like the one I am referring to and your suggestions did prove at least as a first step, and is the only information about disassembling a palm sander. Thank you for your help.
Same problem here. Crappy switch. I still can't get the aluminum fan wheel off. I tried a screwdriver in the other end of the shaft, but still can't get it to turn. tried both directions. It's really stuck.
Pretty cool. I think I would have muttered a few curses and thrown it in the trash. Your response is better. I have heard bad things about Skill tool in the past.
Thanks, but my response was only _marginally_ better. My language turned the air a lovely shade of blue in the garage when the sander started acting up on me. I know that Skil makes lower-end stuff, but geez--I'm not a contractor. The darn thing only has a couple hours of use in total.
I have the same sander with a bad switch I thought about tossing it but thought I may be able to find a switch but no luck. Being 10 years old I don't knock it. I came across your video and was surprised, so I will now eliminate the switch or add one in line. Thanks Great Video
Man, I wish I would have watched your video before I opened my sander... before I knew it the carbon brushes flew away. Now I have a real dead sander. I have looked on line to get the brushes, now they are no longer available. Does anyone know where I can purchase them, or what are other models equivalent to the Skil??? I wasn't able to remove the clamp pad easily. One of the legs is stuck... any suggestions??? I really want to give it a shot and repair it, it has to be cheaper than buying a new one. Great video, it was very helpful! 👏 👏 👏
Hola, Federico, imagino que hablas Español, creo que tengo el mismo problema justo ahora con mi lijadora, que solución encontraste para sacar el disco de la tuya y poder desarmarla?
I have the same problem that you. I can’t remove it. I don’t know, why? Could you help us!??? También tengo el mismo problema que ambos. Espero que nos pueda ayudar quien realizó el video. O si ya tienen la solución, me podrían ayudar?
@@drompygto llego un par de años tarde a la rta, pero quizás a alguien le sirva: en la parte superior de la maquina, luego de separar ambos plásticos, se ve el extremo del eje con un rodamiento pequeño. En el centro tiene una ranura, se traba con un destornillador y se puede girar ese disco de metal hacia la izquierda.
Yes, Festool sanders cost the same as 10 to 20 of the cheap units and generally take proprietary, expensive but good quality sandpaper but they are very nice and are very good at sucking up the dust as it is created via a shop-vac. Nothing is cost reduced on Festool products, certainly not the price to the customer.
Ahh, Festool. Someday I'm going to build a dream shop and populate it with those magical tools. It may even have it's own unicorn grazing in the side-yard. (I'd seriously love to get some Festool machines, but that's going to have to wait a while.)
Hi there I have that hand sander, I have the same problem with the switch and having the sander to slow down while in use, I asume that the bearings are dying, but I still can’t remove the fan disk, do you remember how did you release it??
Do you know where I can get a replacement switch for this same sander? Already checked with Skil. They don't have it. They can't even find it in their system (must be too old). TYIA
The counter weight disk wont unscrew on mine. How did you manage to lock the shaft to unscrew the disk? I have a different problem, it slows down like if there was a power drop randomly. I just want to take it apart so i can clean it up, it´s packed with dust
In my case, I didn't have to lock the shaft. (See my note to Brian Behling under the RU-vid comments section.) Also, if your sander is that jammed with dust, be sure to _CAREFULLY_ pull out the graphite block brushes and clean any dust that might be stuck down in the plastic "brush boxes". That dust may be gumming up the spring mechanism inside the brushes, and preventing good contact with the motor armature. With that much dust, you may also have worn down the graphite blocks to the point they simply are shot--in which case you'll have to order new ones.
@@Scroungineer I have the same question as Guillermo. Unfortunately, I cannot find any comment from (or your note to) Brian Behling. I recognize this is many years later but same sander, same switch and same impediment to taking it apart - cannot unscrew that silver disk/fan. Fingers crossed!
That was a good video. What pisses you off, pisses me off as well. Milwaukee tools ana Makita have also pissed me off with poor design or stupid follow up actions. BTW, when you have a connetion that could be / shoud be soldered, try putting a little Nolox on it. It's used in electrical work to make a better connection. Think of it as lead power in a petroleum jelly base. Works great when used right.
need help, mine just suddenly sound very loud and vibrate really hard ... its not working like normal I used it before this... pleaseee help... pleaseeee help
Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. In order to build a product that meets a particular price point especially regarding entry level or what is considered "consumer" power tools, parts of lesser quality have to be used. When I was just starting out in woodworking I killed many a craftsman and Skill palm sanders before I learned that spending the extra money on contractor or professional grade tools is in most cases cheaper in the long run. Entry level power tools are not designed or intended to be used day in and day out, they are designed for consumers who occasionally use a power tool for small projects.
I used to work for the home depot I was the department head of the hardware department I talked to alot of vendors as it turns out skill and black and Decker own all of the higher end tool companies if you buy DeWalt you bought skill Ryobi skill Makita skill now if you buy millwakee you bought a quality product the is owned by black and Decker along with ridgid and Bosch and they also own Delta oh yeah there is one more owned by skill I think it the one featured at Lowe's you know the blue home depot that is owned by Walmart well I could not get the damn disk of either I broke if using a pry bar someone suggested I got replacement part out of a even older DeWalt that my kid. urned up a few years back so now if a skawalt oh check your batteries for those companies alot of times it just a lite piece of plastic added to kept the batteries from plugging right in to the other brand owned by the same company why change the entire design good luck and stay safe
