(Ok this is kinda stupid but I’m asking anyway)
Around 8 months ago, I had someone in doing renovations and they used one of my shop vacuums and left it outside. I forgot it was out there, because of where it was. It was covered, but not 100% and has been out there till today. It doesn’t sound too good when I switch it on – but I’ve had motors in the past that recovered after some short runs and some oil in the right place. It could be just some rust build up on the spindle or it could be beyond repair. Should I just abandon it and buy a new one, or try to lube it somehow, or run it and see what happens or could that cause a fire hazard.
Its old enough and not good enough a unit to pay for repairs.
Replies
Lube and run it.
If problems then sh!tcan it.
Edited 9/24/2009 9:55 pm ET by rez
The two hazards are shock hazard and fire hazard. Generally shop vacs are pretty well "double insulated" so the shock hazard is minimized, but I'd suggest that you carefully clean the exterior of the unit, and around the motor, to reduce the conduction paths that could lead to a shock.
Re fire, it's a bit iffy. Imagine if you get the thing halfway full of wood shavings and then the motor throws some bits of red hot something that burn through the filter and fall into the shavings. With the motor running to fan the flames it could be an inferno in seconds. Probably not too likely, but not a good scenario.
I'd say that you should inspect the motor. If it's just bearing rust then fine, but if the motor itself is corroded (and especially if the armature is dragging due to rust buildup between it and the coil) then toss it. I've seen cases where bits of rusted metal have come loose and cut into the coil, and there's no telling what can happen if that occurs.
Also, if the motor looks like it has gotten drenched/soaked in water, I'd say toss it, due to the shock hazard.
dry it upside down for a day or two...
hold the lube...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Most stuff that gets plugged up makes the motor stop.
When vacuums get plugged the motor goes faster.
Just a bit of wisdom to add to the knowledge pool of BT. Mesic
The stint outside probably didn't hurt the vacuum, but ...
If the thing is screaming like a banshee, then your buddy probably ruined it by sucking up drywall dust without a bag in it. Or, the wrong bag.
Shop vacs are cheap; replace it and move on.