ETS150/3 EQ - How to order and change brushes

[ckurak]

My ETS150/3 EQ has been serving me very well for about 10 (?) years. I did need to replace the electrical socket (connection plug) at the tail end a few months ago. Other than that, it has been working fine.

During a sanding session this morning, the tool decided to not work at all. It had worked for about an hour. I took an hour break to do something else. When I started again it worked for about 5-10 minutes then would not work at all.

I checked power to the tool: good. I opened the case and checked power on both sides of the switch: good. I checked power on the circuit board: good. I checked power to the brushes: that appears to be good as well. All of the readings were about 118 VAC.

My best guess is that it needs brush replacements.

Now, this is where I am having trouble. The exploded diagram that I can find online shows Diagram Part #9 as two Brush Holders. These are part # 491363 and appear to be sold as a set of two.

Do the brushes come with the Brush Holder Set? Or, do I have to find them somewhere else? I do not see the brushes on the exploded diagram.

I need to get operational again quickly. I do not want to order the Brush Holder Set then find out (days from now) that there are no brushes in them.  [eek]

Any ideas, please?

 

[flair woodworks]

In most cases, the brushes come installed in the brush holders. I believe that is the case with these, but I would check when you order them. Some dealers (like us) stock brushes and might be able to get them to you quicker than ordering from Festool.

 

[ckurak]

Thanks, Chris.

How that the holiday (July 4th in the US) is over, the suppliers are open again. I found a store in NY that understood what I need. The brushes come in the holders and the entire assembly is easily changed. I should have the new ones in a few days and expect to have the sander up and running within minutes after their arrival.

I also learned that the brushes have a type of fail-safe mechanism. When they wear out, a piece of metal actually pokes through the face of the worn brush and shorts out the circuit. The tool will not operate again until the brushes are replaced. I thought this was interesting. I never heard of that before. I can see the piece poking through the face of the worn part of the brush. Sure beats arcing and smoking!  [scared]

Thanks!!!