Again, happy to be of some small help. Plus, I’m laid up with a torn up knee so I have the time to bore the hell out of innocent victims like you, between rehab stretches and so on.
Sorry about that.
Now, a goodie for you: several comments back I linked to a Makita manual - well, that’s a secret weapon, that manualslib site, User manuals, owner manuals and in some instances shop manuals, searchable, indexed pretty well. Tools, motorcycles, engines large and small, if you’re researching something or looking to fix something you have. You can usually download a PDF.
Probably brushes or a bad electrical connection. I wouldn’t use it until I had that fixed. Otherwise it may go down completely in the middle of sanding.
Just go with the Chinese equivalent of the Habor Freight. Over here(USA) we can buy an extended warranty for pennies on the dollar at the counter of Habor Freight when we check out. Probably not worth it for you because of shipping.
The variable speed Makita is a good quality tool. Thumb speed dial and soft start. But that used Makita you posted the pic of is probably worn out. Someone else’s headache will be yours if you buy it. Buy new. Not used
Hi Sheffy; is not a direct suggestion is just that you mentioned the tool and I use that tool so a bit of feedback.
I think like others here, depends on what you will do with the tool.
Makita is a great tool; but are not on the cheap side.
Regarding the worn out of these tools. What could be happened? The parts that could be in the need of change are:
-Trigger (points)
-One of the bearings (2 main bearings there are)
-Helicoidal pinion.
If you will sand only a few boards; that tool is sell for cheap and you can hear the sound before to buy there will be no problem. No matter if looks beaten up outside.
However if you find a cheap variable speed Chinese polisher (but are all M14 like the new Makitas) may be is that the way to go. No good weight there though.