Dremel Help and Advice

[Tam Lin]

Bought a Dremel 3000 a little while ago and soon got to wonder how I ever did without!
Tried to use it today and the button that you press down to lock the shaft so that you can remove the tools wasn't working. Took it all to bit, thanks Youtube, and found that the lock pin no longer aligns with the holes in the shaft in which it seats. There is no adjustment so I have no idea how this has happened. So, I have a tool that still works but is useless and I can't find the receipt!
So, two questions, anyone got any ideas on how to fix it and second, what alternatives would you recommend? It would be nice if I could use all the accessories that I bought!

 

[sailorman]

i keep all receipts for warranty items in a folder

 

[Tam Lin]

i keep all receipts for warranty items in a folder

So do I, usually!

 

[Daydream believer]

i keep all receipts for warranty items in a folder

That will really help the Op to tighten the clamp

 

[fredrussell]

Do Dremel have a helpline on their website? I've known companies fix things without needing proof of purchase - worth contacting them surely?

 

[Hadenough]

i keep all receipts for warranty items in a folder

But how do you fix the OP's Dremel smart arse?

 

[guyd]

I use a pair of old side cutters to hold the shaft still, whilst undoing the nut ymmv

 

[Pete735]

I got considerable use out of mine until the locking pin became so worn it failed to lock the shaft. i contacted Dremel and discovered that it cost more to have replacement parts (which included a whole lot of stuff I did not need) than to buy a new one. I bought a cheapie from Lidl and left the Dremel with a rotary sanding tool permanently in it, just changing the sanding disc as necessary, as that was what I found I used most. This was some 4 - 5 years ago and it was well out of warranty, things maybe different now of course.

 

[BabaYaga]

You can easily stop the shaft from rotating by blocking the cooling fan with the back end of almost any tool.

 

[Topcat47]

Demels are fine when they're working, but if anything goes wrong out of warrety, forget it. I've gone to cheap & cheerful Lidl/Aldi throw always (don't even try to claim under warranty, if you've had it more than 30days).

 

[Tam Lin]

Well I have solved the problem. I still can't see how the lock button and the holes in the shaft have become misaligned but as I wasn't going to be able to stretch the shaft I approached it from the position of the button. Careful use of a drill and a Stanley knife enlarged the button hole into an oval so that the lock button can slide down the shaft a fraction of a mm and fit into the locking holes. Job done!
I have been using it for the task I got it out for yesterday afternoon, working perfectly.
Sometimes I astound myself with my brilliance !

 

[ghostlymoron]

If you purchased with a card,
the transaction will appear on you statement which can be used as proof of purchase. If it was a cash buy you can try the "I bought this from here and it's faulty, what can you do for me?" technique. If the vendor replies "how do I know you got it from here?" You reply "are you calling me a liar?"
Most vendors will demur and offer you a deal. I've used this ploy several times with great success.

Do Dremel have a helpline on their website? I've known companies fix things without needing proof of purchase - worth contacting them surely?