Watched my favorite rotary brush lock up mid-job last Tuesday

I've been using the same rotary brush head for like 5 years and always swore by that brand. But last week it seized up on a job over on Maple Street, smoke started pouring out, total loss. My crew guy handed me a $40 generic brand from his truck just to finish the day and honestly it worked better than my old one. Has anyone else had a favorite tool just crap out on them and then found a replacement that surprised you?

4 comments

4 Comments

ivan_murphy801mo ago

Did you try smacking it a few times before it gave up completely? I'm in that same boat right now with my old orbital buffer. Had it for probably 7 years, kept it running with duct tape and pure stubbornness. When it finally locked up I was so annoyed I just grabbed whatever was cheapest at the hardware store. Turned out to be lighter, quieter, and actually gets into corners better than my old workhorse. Makes me wonder how many years I wasted fighting with that old beater instead of admitting it was time for a change.

amy_west1mo ago

Wait, are you saying the new one actually works better than the old one you babied for years? I mean I always thought the old ones were built tougher and worth fixing, but hearing your story makes me wonder. Maybe I've been holding onto my old stuff too long, thinking they were better when really I was just used to dealing with their problems.

mark_ward1mo ago

Yeah I saw a review that said the newer motors are actually way more efficient now. Same deal with my angle grinder, the cheap replacement was lighter and had way less vibration.

riverh491mo ago

Nah, new stuff is junk. That lighter motor will burn out in half the time.