Official Blog For eReplacementparts.com

Makita 6095D and Makita 6093D are the Same

2006-08-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting note for those of you looking for parts for a makita 6095D drill or parts for a makita 6093D drill.

There are the same drill except for the chuck! The 6093D has a keyed chuck vs the 6095D which has a keyless chuck.

Both are great drills, and have been around for a long time. In fact the 6093D was introduced around 1986, making it over twenty years old. Obviously a lot has changed since then, as far as power tool technology is concerned. Newer batteries are stronger (have more torque) and run for longer. Nonetheless, many people call us and mention how excited they are to find parts for either of these two drills, because of how long they have had them, and how well they have worked for them. A lot of folks like the fact that these two drills are very light and not heavy like the newer 18V models. (These drills are 9.6 volt models by the way).

How to Deal with Crabgrass on Your Lawn

2006-08-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

This post is not really about power tools, but would I figured that the home and garden section was close enough. Over the past few months I have noticed some awkward types of grass growing in our otherwise beautiful lawn. I am a bit particular about taking care of my lawn (not like I want the neighbors to be jealous or anything...) so I finally decided to do some investigating. I think I have a serious outbreak of crabgrass.

So I started doing some research, and found out what to do. Unfortunately, I have already missed the ball on the most important time to deal with crabgrass. Apparently, a little amount of herbicide in the spring can go a long way to controlling the crabgrass for the rest of the summer. That is when the roots are still weak, and it is much easier to stop it altogether. But, hope is not lost. There are still some treatments out there that can at least control the growth of crabgrass, and then I can focus on doing more next spring to prevent it altogether. So, I went down to Lowe's Hardware and purchased a bag of fertilizer with a crabgrass specific herbicide. I applied it just like instructed. Hopefully it will slow the problem down, and then I will be ready to treat it better next year.

Adhesive Back Sander Pads vs Hook and Loop Sander Pads

2006-08-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

Many people have ordered sander pads from us, but have been surprised / confused at the type of pad that has come in the mail. "It's not like the pad I had before," has been a response from several customers.

This post is dedicated to a short but sweet explanation of the difference between a hook and loop (Velcro) sander pad, and an adhesive sander pad.

A hook and loop sander pad is the most common type, as it comes standard on most new random orbit sanders. Dewalt, Bosch and Makita make some of the best sanders (but that is another post). This pad is called a hook and loop pad, because it is a Velcro style pad. I found a great definition for velcro from answers.com. It says that Velcro is "A trademark used for a fastening tape consisting of a strip of nylon with a surface of minute hooks that fasten to a corresponding strip with a surface of uncut pile."

The link has some great pictures and a history of Velcro for those that would be interested. The advantages of velcro pads are ease of use and durability. Hook and loop pads can last a long time if used correctly. One recommendation that I have is when you are sanding, do not push too hard on the surface to be sanded. Let the sander do the work, gently applying pressure and moving the sander slowly and smoothly.

Now for the adhesive back sander pad. Just like the name suggests, this type of sander pad has a surface that accepts a sticky or adhesive pad. The surface is usually a type of rubber. The sanding disks come with a thin sheet that can be peeled of to reveal the sticky part that will adhere to the pad. I personally prefer the hook and loop pads, but there are many people out there that like the adhesive pads better.

I recommend the Milwaukee Heavy Duty Club

2006-08-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let our readers know about a great resource for Milwaukee Power Tools. It is called the Milwaukee Heavy Duty Club.

Heavy Duty Club Registration

Your have to fill out some information, including an email address and your name and a few questions about yourself.

Once you have that you can get access to member information like product training, and product comparisons. I really like the product training section, because it has articles on tool repair and maintenance.

Cordless Batteries - What are volts and amp hours?

2006-08-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Cordless power tools have come a long way since Makita's 7.6V Cordless Battery. The increase in technology has given us more power, and longer run times. This has given us more freedom, and flexibility with our tools. Something that I can only imagine will only get better.

Technology will allow us more freedom, with more power and less weight. This post is dedicated to cordless power tool technology.

First let's start with a few definitions and some background.

Volt- The technical definition goes like this: Basic unit of electrical potential. One volt is the force required to send one ampere of electrical current through a resistance of one ohm.
From: www.notepage.net/wireless-messaging-glossary.htm

Sounds like college physics all over again. Let's attempt to make simpler. Electric potential is the key phrase. Electric potential is just like any other potential, it is the ability to do something. When they talk about potential, they are talking about a difference in potential between two points. Here is an analogy that will help. Let's say you have a ramp from a table top to the ground. If you have a ball at the top of the ramp what is going to happen if you start the ball rolling down the ramp? It will go all the way to the floor right? You could say that the potential difference is the difference between the top of the ramp and the bottom of the ramp. What if you put the ramp higher? The ball is going to move faster right?

This is just like Voltage. Only voltage is the difference between CHARGES, not height. A volt is just a way to measure the difference for electricity. But it works the same way. If you have a difference in charges, it is going to cause the current to flow. So having an 18V tool means that you have 18 Volts of electric potential to power the tool. If you want more power to do your work, you need a higher voltage. Are we having fun yet?

Now that we know what voltage is we can move on to the next important concept: Amp Hours.

An amp hour is a rating that tells how much amperage is available when the battery is evenly drained over a period of 20 hours. Now, this rating represents an average over the 20 hours, so if you want to find out how many amps the battery will put out, just take the rating and divide it by 20. So obviously, the higher rating the amp hours, the higher the out put will be over a period of time.

So, now that you know the ratings for cordless power tool batteries, it will be easier to tell what is important when you buy them.

New Shipping Options - UPS

2006-08-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

We are letting everyone know that we are now offering UPS as a shipping option. We have previoulsy only shipped via DHL and USPS. But you have spoken and we have listened. Many customers have asked if we would ship UPS, so effective immediately, we now have it as an option. We work hard to keep your cost down, so we only charge what it cost for us to ship. Shipping prices are calculated by the overall weight. This is different than many online retailers who make money on shipping by charging too much. Here is our ereplacementparts.com UPS shipping page.

Parts of a Miter Saw

2006-07-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

During the weekend, I had a chance to break out a brand new Dewalt DW714 Miter Saw. We are putting up some chair railing as part of some decorating in one of the rooms in our house. What a great saw! Dewalt surely has done well with their design in the DW714. Although only a single bevel saw, it is simple to use, and gives one of the straightest cuts of any saw I have ever used. I thought I would take a few minutes and write about the features found in a miter saw, and some tips on using miter saws in general.

The first thing to look at is the diameter of the blade. Miter saws usually come in 8", 10", 12", and 14" varieties. The diameter is the length from one end of the blade to the other through the middle. Obviously the bigger the diameter, the larger the cuts that can be made.

Next, I wanted to talk about the difference between a compound miter saw and a regular miter saw. A regular miter saw will pivot right and left to let you cut at an angle, like molding around a door frame. A compound miter saw will allow you to tilt the motor and the blade to make a beveled cut. (I used this feature when I was cutting the chair rails at a 45 degree angle, to make two pieces fit together on a 90 degree corner. ) A compound miter saw is a must have if you are putting up molding, chair rails, or anything else that needs a beveled cut.

The next feature that I wanted to highlight was the slide feature. My saw doesn't have this feature, but it is a great feature to have, especially if you are cutting wide stock. Basically, miter saws with a slide capability have the motor and blade connected to a slide component, that allows you to slide while you cut, enlarging the width of stock that you can cut.

Miter Saw Repair

The most common dewalt miter saw repair parts are the cords, the blades, the carbon brushes, and the switches, all of which are easy to replace. Also, the kerf boards are often in need of replacing as well. Make sure to keep you miter saw in good working condition to be safe.

How to Find the Correct Model Number For Your DeWALT Tools

2006-06-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Today's article will be about how to correctly find the model number for your DeWALT power tool parts. At eReplacementparts.com, we sometimes run into the problem of customers ordering the right parts, but for the wrong tool. Although we are glad to exchange these parts with a small restocking fee, it's a lot more fun for EVERYONE if the order is correct in the first place.

So, here are some tips to help make sure that the part you order is for the right DeWALT tool. The most important thing to know is the model number of the tool. The best place to find the model number is on the manufacturer's name plate. This plate is where the manufacturer displays the information about the paticular tool, the serial number of the tool, the manufacturer contact information, and any safety warnings you should know about before using the tool. Here is a DeWALT reciprocating saw name plate:

Almost all manufacturers will put the model number in the top left corner of the plate. In this case, the model number is DW938. Pretty straight forward, right?

The next thing to note is the version of the tool. When DeWALT comes out with a new tool, they may find that it needs a few design changes to perform better. So, they will make the design changes, and then come out with a second version of the tool. For most manufacturers, this would be be noted as "TYPE 2". They will continue with TYPE 3, TYPE 4, and so on until they feel that all of the bugs are worked out. The schematics (parts list) for the different types may look exactly the same, but you have to be careful, because the parts that you are looking to replace may be the parts that were changed in the new version of the tool. So make sure that you have the right type. For DeWALT, you can find the TYPE just below the model number of the tool.

Now, when you do a search for a paticular model all of the existing types should come up. Just pick the one that fits your tool.

Another thing to note with DeWALT tools is that sometimes you will see letters on the end of the model number. These letters show additional options for you tool. The most common is the letter "K". When you see the letter "K" on the end of a model number, it means that the tool comes as a kit, usually with a box. See the manufacturers catalog for more details.

This article is meant to help mostly with DeWALT tools. If you have questions about other manufacturers, check back in the future because I will be posting articles about other manufacturers soon.

Selling A Few Things On eBay

2006-06-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

Another busy week here at eReplacementparts.com -

One of the announcements that I did want to make it that we are slowly going to start selling a few things on eBay. We arent't going to sell much, but we want to start with a couple of items here and there because I think it will be a great way to reach people that don't know much about us. As a growing small business, I guess that is what you have to do to keep up with the game.

Here is our eReplacementparts.com eBay about me page.

Makita DC1804 Battery Charger

2006-05-30T23:13:00.000-07:00

We are often asked what is the best charger for Makita batteries. With the exception of the MAKSTAR (pretty rare) type batteries and lithium ion batteries, the answer is easy: its the DC1804 battery charger. It is a great little unit that will take care of both Ni-Cd batteries and Ni-MH batteries. It works with the old 7.2V 7000 style batteries and all of the voltages up to the newer 18V batteries. Also, the Ah rating doesn't matter; it can charge anything from the 1.3 Ah batteries to the 3.0 Ah batteries.

Charges typically only take 1 hour to complete, and the it also has a "trickle charge" mode which will regularly monitor your batteries to make sure that if you battery is left on the charger, it will be fully charged and ready for your next use. For those loyal to the Makita brand, it is a must have because of its versatility.

DeWALT Tool Parts Coming Soon!

2006-05-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't really posted anything here in a while. The reason is that we have been very busy here are eReplacementparts. com - We have been keeping with customer orders, and of course as always we have been adding more parts to our site. We just finished Porter Cable. Well, I guess finished would not be the proper word. There are always new tools coming out and service changes to the older ones. So I don't think that you could ever say that we are finished. It's more like a work in progress. But, the majority of the Porter Cable line is up and ready to go.

So that brings me to the next announcement... DeWALT repair parts are coming soon! We have had a few of the tool part breakdowns online for awhile, but soon we will have the majority of them online. As you can imagine, it is now small task to get them on. Dewalt has a very large amount of serviceable tools, and it takes a lot of time to make sure that the part numbers are correct, and that the breakdowns are up to date. Please bear with us as we are burning a lot of midnight oil to make this happen.

2006-04-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

Porter Cable Parts Now Online!

We are pleased to announce new additions to the eReplacementParts.com website. Porter Cable Parts are now available online. Here are the new categories:

Porter Cable Circular Saw Parts
Porter Cable Coil Nailer Parts
Porter Cable Router Parts
Porter Cable Compressor Parts
Porter Cable Grinder Parts
Porter Cable Electric Drill Parts
Porter Cable Generator Parts
Porter Cable Screwdriver Parts

There will be more categories to post, so we will update the blog as we go along. All repair parts from Porter Cable will take 10-15 days to arrive at our warehouse. Most of the tools do not have the schematics (parts lists) on yet, but we will be working on that in the next few days.

How To Replace A Damaged Power Tool Cord

2006-01-30T22:33:00.000-08:00

When you have a construction job to do, nothing is worse that downtime caused by malfunctioning tools. We have all been there, right? You are on location, and you are about ready to start work, when you see a frayed cord with exposed wires. Whether it is a saw, a router, a drill, a sander, or any other type of tool, the question is the same: Do you chance still using to tool and risking possible danger?

Power tool cords take a lot of abuse, and often need to be replaced. The constant twisting, rubbing, dragging, pinching and pulling take their toll and eventually crack or wear away the outer lining of the cord. This can damage the wires inside, and expose the tool operator to severe danger.

The good news is that the repair work for a power tool cord is not difficult with the right tools and the right knowledge. This article is dedicated to the replacement of power tool electrical cords.

*Disclaimer: Power tool maintenance should only be performed by properly trained individuals. If some maintenance procedures are performed by non-authorized individuals, it may void the manufacturer’s warranty. This article is to be used only as a guideline, please check with your local authorized service centers if you have any questions.

The entire replacement process should take less that one hour.

The tools that are needed:

Screwdriver

Utility Knife

Wire Strippers

Lineman’s Pliers

Multitester

The materials that are needed:

The correct replacement power cord

Masking tape

Safety Tips:

Always unplug the tool before you begin any work

Start with a clean, uncluttered work bench area (When working on the inside of power tools, you do not want to get dirt or any other foreign objects into the inside of the tool)

Step By Step Procedure

Uncover the wire terminals:
The cord for most power tools connects directly to the tool switch through a wire terminal.
Most switches are located in the handle of the tool. First remove the plate to the tool to expose the inside of the tool.

You may have to remove more than one plate (for example on many tools, you may also have to remove the handle)

Disconnect the wires from the terminals:
Loosen the wire terminal screws with a small screwdriver and pull the wires out of the terminal. At this point, it is very important to note the route that the wires follow out of the terminal to connect to the plug. You need to route the new wires back in the same way or you may pinch the wires when you replace the handle.

Once the wire terminals are loose, mark each wire with masking tape to ensure that the correct wires will be connected with the new cord.

Cords with three pronged plugs usually have three wires and cords with two prongs usually have two wires. *Note that if you are also replacing the tool switch, many new switches require a different wiring pattern from the old one. See the manufacturers wiring diagrams for help with this.

Taking out the old cord:
Most tools have a retaining bracket that keeps the power cord secure and fastened in place. Remove the retaining bracket (most need to be unscrewed) and remove the old cord.

The old cord will have the wires market with masking tape, so keep it nearby to help with positioning the new wires.

Installing the new cord:
Power cords are different for many types of models, based on the amperage and the voltage or the model (even the length of the cord is important). Make sure to buy the right replacement cord for the right tool.

Click Here For Makita Replacement Parts

Click Here For Bosch Replacement Tool Parts

Click Here For DeWalt Replacement Tool Parts

If the new cord already has the wires stripped, you are ready to install it in directly.

Stripping the Wires:
If not you must strip the wires first. First, take a knife and cut the power cord jacket six inches, but be careful not to cut or damage the wires inside the jacket. The jacket is the flexible protective covering that surrounds the inner wires in the cord. Measure the new cord against the old one to make sure that the wire length is the same for the new cord. Use a pair of wire strippers to strip ½ inch of the insulation away from the wire.

If you do not have wire strippers, be sure to buy some, or borrow them from a friend. Avoid the temptation to just strip the wires with a knife, because that will often damage the wires and lessen the power that goes to the motor. Twist the wires carefully with lineman’s pliers to make the best connection to the wire terminals

Put in the New Replacement Cord:

Check the masking tape labels on the old cord, to make sure that the wires are connected correctly. Place the wires in the correct path to avoid pinching the wires when the tool case in put back in place. Secure the power cord back in place with the retaining bracket.

Replace the safety cover:

You are just about finished! Replace the safety cover of the tool. Again, be sure that all of the wires are routed in the same path as they were originally. Failure to do so may result in a pinched wire, which could decrease the life of the tool, and even cause harm.

Check the Tool for Safety:
The last step is to make sure that the tool is safe to use. A bad electrical connection can pass electrical current through the metal housing of the tool – this is a serious danger for operation. A multitester is the best way to ensure that the tool is safe. (A multitester measures the resistance and current in electrical circuits. With the multitester set to RX1 put one end to the plug and the other end to the outside housing of the tool. There should be no connection between the two.

Summary

Proper tool maintenance may not seem that important when tools are new. Today’s power tools are built tougher than ever before, and it seems that they are almost even designed for abuse. However, no matter how tough a tool is, regular wear and tear will take its toll. If you learn simple maintenance steps, you can save time and money.

Launch of the official blog for eReplacementparts.com!

2005-04-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome everybody! You have reached the official blog for eReplacementparts.com. We sell power tool parts for all types of power tools. You could say that power tools are sort of a passion for us. Whether you are a contractor, construction worker, or a weekend warrior, our business is here to help you repair your power tools and help you get your jobs done on time.

In this blog we will be talking about anything and everything related to the use of power tools. We wil talk about our recommendations for what types of tools to use. We will also be talking about what you should attempt to repair at home, and what you should leave to the professionals at your local power tool repair shops.

This is also where we will be sharing news about the website. We are growing fast, and we are continually trying to meet your needs as a customer. We are adding thousands of parts on our site each week. Check back at this blog for the latest in updates and news about the site.

As a matter of fact, here is our first update:

Most of everything that we have been selling has been power tool parts. Just recently we have extended our capacity to sell power tool accessories as well. When you are on a page looking for a certain tool, on the right hand side of the column next to the parts list breakdown you will see a column of poducts that we also recommend. This products will be related to the product that you are looking at. Here is an example from our Makita Parts line: If you were looking for Makita LS1013 Miter Saw Parts you can look at the right hand side and see other products that we would also recommend. Just one more way that we are making your tool upkeep easier!

Most of what we have on the website is from Makita, but we also wanted to let everybody know that we are going to be adding a lot of tools to the Bosch Parts category and the Porter Cable Parts category. We are also in the process of adding Dewalt to the list of power tool manufacturers that we carry.

Check back for updates soon!

Again, our whole goal is to make your power tool repair work easier by helping you find the right parts at the right price. But this blog will also serve as a valuable resource for reviews, tips, and valuable information. Isn't that what the internet is for anyway? So we will also be welcoming your posts. Please write in and tell us about your experiences with power tools and with tool maintenance and repair. We would love to hear from you, and we will post your comments to help everybody out.

Sincerely,
David Fairbanks