De Walt hammer drill brush question

[old]

Ok so I got this DeWalt hammer drill the other day. Checked out the brushes in it One side of each brush showed a lot of wear but the other side was fine. So I was just going to rotate them 180 in the holders so as to let then wear even again but the wire is not long enough to do so. But I can pull the plug loose in the armature and switch them side to side so will that make it run back wards of what id does now. By the way this is a forward reverse type drill so will not really matter other then having the switch set wrong to go right it it does make it run back wards
Thanks
 

[Justin SE IOWA]

Only one way to find out...Try it! LOL
 

[old]

I already did it but did not look to see if it had change directions on me or not so figured I would ask and see what others think it might do then I'll look at it and see who might be right LOL
 

[guido]

Hello old,

What you need to do is take a knife or razor blade, and take the edge off the leading and the trailing end of the brush. A round file will smooth out the contact area of the brushes.
The edges get very sharp and that makes them bounce rother then fallow the comm.
Make sure you clean the segments as well
Good luck.............................Guido.

 

[old]

I do plan to take it all apart and then use emery cloth to clean up the armature and also check it for shorts. But this with the brushes was just a fist check type of thing since it does arc and spark a lot at the brushes
 

[Dusty MI]

Do NOT use emery cloth emery is a conductor, it can leave dust behind and cause a short, then let the smoke out. Use sand paper, it's a non-conductor.

Dusty
 

[old]

Been using emery cloth for this for years. I do clean things back off with a electric spray after and would no matter what I used be it emery or sand paper since both can/will leave residue behind and sand is as bad as any thing emery cloth would leave
 

[guido]

Hello old,
The brushes skipping on the commutator will create a lot of sparks and draw a lot of current.
Taking the edge off the brushes as per my drawing will also decrease the current the motor will draw. Spring pressure on both brushes should be about the same. If you don't have a way to check the tension, you should try to put in a new set if possible.
Guido.
 

[old]

The brushes both look good and the springs seem to be good also. I have not done much repair in this type of thing for years but did a whole lot if it back when I worked at tracker marine so not new to this just been a few years as in well I left there in 1992 so yep a few to many maybe
 

[guido]

Hello old,

If the springs and brushes look good, then just a good cleaning may be that its all you need to do. Taking the edges off the brushes will do two things: decrease the amp draw, and increase the tool's R.P.M's. Lighter springs will do the same thing.
Guido.