Oscillating Tool: Head not Oscillating
If the head is not oscillating on your oscillating tool, check the clamping lever, bearing, housing, and coupler. Save time and money and fix it yourself instead of hiring a costly service. Our experts have provided easy to understand repair advice to help you along the way. Refer to your owner's manual for informatino specific to your model.
Bearings
A seized bearing can cause the head not to oscillate, straining the motor. To inspect the bearings, remove the brush caps and pull out the brushes. On some models, you cannot remove the brushes until you open the housing. Open the housing of the oscillating tool. Some models will require you to separate the head from the main housing in order to gain access to the armature.
Remove the armature from the housing and spin the bearings to determine which one is seized. To replace the lower bearing, remove the rubber ring, then use a bearing puller to remove the bearing. Clean the shaft and install a new bearing using a socket that only makes contact with the inner race of the bearing. This is done to avoid damaging the bearing during insulation. Tap in place with a hammer and then reinstall the rubber ring. To replace the upper bearing,...
Remove the armature from the housing and spin the bearings to determine which one is seized. To replace the lower bearing, remove the rubber ring, then use a bearing puller to remove the bearing. Clean the shaft and install a new bearing using a socket that only makes contact with the inner race of the bearing. This is done to avoid damaging the bearing during insulation. Tap in place with a hammer and then reinstall the rubber ring. To replace the upper bearing,...
A seized bearing can cause the head not to oscillate, straining the motor. To inspect the bearings, remove the brush caps and pull out the brushes. On some models, you cannot remove the brushes until you open the housing. Open the housing of the oscillating tool. Some models will require you to separate the head from the main housing in order to gain access to the armature.
Remove the armature from the housing and spin the bearings to determine which one is seized. To replace the lower bearing, remove the rubber ring, then use a bearing puller to remove the bearing. Clean the shaft and install a new bearing using a socket that only makes contact with the inner race of the bearing. This is done to avoid damaging the bearing during insulation. Tap in place with a hammer and then reinstall the rubber ring. To replace the upper bearing, use a bearing puller, or a bearing separator, if the clearance is tight. Install a new bearing using a socket that only makes contact with the bearings inner race to avoid damage to the bearing. Tap in place with a hammer. Reinstall in the housing and reassemble the housing back together. Reinstall the brushes and brush caps.
Remove the armature from the housing and spin the bearings to determine which one is seized. To replace the lower bearing, remove the rubber ring, then use a bearing puller to remove the bearing. Clean the shaft and install a new bearing using a socket that only makes contact with the inner race of the bearing. This is done to avoid damaging the bearing during insulation. Tap in place with a hammer and then reinstall the rubber ring. To replace the upper bearing, use a bearing puller, or a bearing separator, if the clearance is tight. Install a new bearing using a socket that only makes contact with the bearings inner race to avoid damage to the bearing. Tap in place with a hammer. Reinstall in the housing and reassemble the housing back together. Reinstall the brushes and brush caps.
Read More
Find your Bearings here
Housings
Some models have a housing on top that transmits the power 90-degrees to the cutting blade. On other models, these units are sealed or the housing is sold as a complete unit only. If the motor is spinning and the blade remains stationary, remove the head housing from the tool. Turn on the power again and watch the output shaft on the main body. If it spins, then replace the 90-degree housing. If it does not spin, but the motor is working, then your problem lies somewhere inside the main body. Install a new housing, if it is broken, and reinstall the blade.
Some models have a housing on top that transmits the power 90-degrees to the cutting blade. On other models, these units are sealed or the housing is sold as a complete unit only. If the motor is spinning and the blade remains stationary, remove the head housing from the tool. Turn on the power again and watch the output shaft on the main body. If it spins, then replace the 90-degree housing. If it does not spin, but the motor is working, then your problem lies somewhere inside the main body. Install a new housing, if it is broken, and reinstall the blade.
Find your Housings here
Levers
The clamping lever is a quick change for blades and other attachments. If the clamping lever wears out, it will not be able to support the head, causing it to remain stationary. To replace a worn out clamping lever, remove the clamping screw, flange, o-ring (or washer) and the inner flange. Remove the screw securing the clamping lever to the tool and then the clamping lever. Install a new clamping lever and reinstall the screw securing it to the oscillating tool. Then, reinstall the inner flange, o-ring (or washer), outer flange and the clamping screws.
The clamping lever is a quick change for blades and other attachments. If the clamping lever wears out, it will not be able to support the head, causing it to remain stationary. To replace a worn out clamping lever, remove the clamping screw, flange, o-ring (or washer) and the inner flange. Remove the screw securing the clamping lever to the tool and then the clamping lever. Install a new clamping lever and reinstall the screw securing it to the oscillating tool. Then, reinstall the inner flange, o-ring (or washer), outer flange and the clamping screws.
Find your Levers here
Shafts
The drive shaft transmits power from the motor to the cutting blade. A worn, or broken, drive shaft will not be able to transmit power from the motor to the cutting blade. To inspect the drive shaft, remove the cutting blade from the tool. Open the housing of the tool and examine the drive shaft for any signs of wear or breakage. Remove the drive shaft from the housing. You may have to lift up the motor assembly in order to get the drive shaft out. Remove any parts off of the old drive shaft that you will be transferring onto the new one. Use a bearing puller, or separator, to remove the bearing and transfer it onto the new drive shaft. Place a socket big enough on the bearings inner race only, to avoid damage to the bearing during insulation and tap in place with a hammer. Reassemble back...
The drive shaft transmits power from the motor to the cutting blade. A worn, or broken, drive shaft will not be able to transmit power from the motor to the cutting blade. To inspect the drive shaft, remove the cutting blade from the tool. Open the housing of the tool and examine the drive shaft for any signs of wear or breakage. Remove the drive shaft from the housing. You may have to lift up the motor assembly in order to get the drive shaft out. Remove any parts off of the old drive shaft that you will be transferring onto the new one. Use a bearing puller, or separator, to remove the bearing and transfer it onto the new drive shaft. Place a socket big enough on the bearings inner race only, to avoid damage to the bearing during insulation and tap in place with a hammer. Reassemble back into the housing and put the housing back together.
Read More
Find your Shafts here
Couplers
Some models will have a coupler that joins the armature shaft to a drive shaft. To replace a broken coupler, open the housing of the oscillating tool and remove the motor from the housing. Remove the coupling from the motor shaft. The coupling may stay inside the shaft when you separate the motor. Use a pick to remove it, if it is stuck inside. Install a new coupler onto the motor shaft and slide the motor back in place and put the motor back in the housing. Reassemble the housing back together.
Some models will have a coupler that joins the armature shaft to a drive shaft. To replace a broken coupler, open the housing of the oscillating tool and remove the motor from the housing. Remove the coupling from the motor shaft. The coupling may stay inside the shaft when you separate the motor. Use a pick to remove it, if it is stuck inside. Install a new coupler onto the motor shaft and slide the motor back in place and put the motor back in the housing. Reassemble the housing back together.
Find your Couplers here
