Motor TLC

We've got a couple of old Mabuchi motors for Bitza 2 and although they run they look rather worn out. Then it occurred to me I actually know very little about DC motors..

They are full of dust and dunk, I'm assuming the brushes are very warn down etc...

Does anyone have any useful information or links on how I could give them an MOT?

To me they are these swanky looking sealed cases that spin when a current is applied. I don't even know how to get into them and can't afford to damage them.

Any help much appreciated!

ps. Does anyone have any experience of old Dewalt gearboxes? The one's we have seem to have a shaft output that can articulate (in all directions!) and the shaft isn't held in by any means.... I'm guessing the body of the drill was integral to the structure of the gearbox...

BUMP!

run them till they die. Finding replacement brushes is a nightmare if not impossible and the cost would likely exceed buying a new motor once delivery etc is taken into account. Bear in mind that these are mass produced and not designed with repairs in mind.

Go have a look on how stuff works to understand how an electric motor works.

And yes dewalt style gearboxes have a bore that spins with a shaft inserted. Bit more of a pain to use but there you go.

I think Dan has made up some funky mounts for the motors so gearbox woes should be solved.

The motors we have I quite like the look off, they're just very dusty and gunked up. A couple of tips on the best way to clean them would be helpful.

I'm guessing they are drill motor style. In which case they will have a plate probably at the rear that can be removed by bending a couple of tabs out the way. Be careful doing this. Once open, go to town, pull out the commutator, brush it down, wipe as much of the crap out as possible, use high pressure water (make sure you dry them out immediately to prevent rusting) then put them back together. Be careful with the brushes as chances are they are sprung and will be very easy to damage.

Basically just go for it and see what happens. LEARN BY DOING!!!!

Cheers!

Would it not be easier with one of those keyboard cleaner things that are like a compressed air can? Depends how much gunk there is in there I suppose.