Why Does My Drill Smell Like It’s Burning?

Why does my drill smell like it’s burning?

The reason your drill smells like it’s burning is blocked ventilation vents, mechanical problems, and worn-out brushes. Other electrical problems, using too much pressure while operating the drill, and working long hours, can cause your drill to smell like it’s burning.

 

 

Blocked ventilation vents

Electric motors are used to generate the rotational force needed in drills. The course of this rotation and energy conversion generates heat. Vents are on the back of the electrical component casing to reduce this heat.

Using an improper technique, for example, covering the vents with your hand while using the drill, can cause overheating. This excessive heat then causes the components of your drill to smell like something is burning. Dust and specs of dirt can also block these vents.

 

Mechanical problems

The Mechanical parts of your drill generate a lot of heat as they grind against one another. This could lead to wear and tear, especially if you do not adequately lubricate them.

The worn components now become less efficient and cause excessive friction in the drill. This friction leads to overheating, which can cause a burning smell in your drill.

 

Worn-out brushes

The commutator, carbon brushes, and armature all generate the rotation in your drill. The carbon brushes are the bridges that convey electrical current to the commutator.

After repeated use, these brushes get worn out, especially from the parts where they make contact with the commutator. This damage leads to a shortening electrical current, which can cause your drill’s motor to heat up. This overheating can make your drill smell like it is burning.

 

Other electrical problems

A dirty commutator or damage to the windings in your drill’s motor can cause it to smell like it is burning. A commutator is a small drum with gaps. It is on one end of the axle of the rotor in your drill. Along with the carbon brush, they combine to transfer electric current to the rest of the motor.

After using your drill for a while, the commutator can accumulate dirt. These can shorten the electric current, which causes your drill to overheat. The excessive heat then causes your drill to smell like it is burning.

 

Using too much pressure

Your drill is supposed to do the work. All it needs from you is a little guidance. When you apply too much pressure simply because you have a blunt drill or use the wrong drill for the job, you overwork it.

The extra pressure prevents the mechanism of the drill from kicking in. Overriding your tool’s inherent mechanism with pressure will cause it to overheat. This heat can cause it to produce a burning smell.

 

Working long hours

These tools were not designed to be used continuously for hours. So, the next time you discover that your drill is overheating, you need to take a break and allow it to cool down. Failure to do this might lead to permanent damage to your drill.

 

How to fix a drill that smells like it’s burning?

To fix a drill that smells like it’s burning, you should clean your ventilation vents, adjust your drilling technique, lubricate the mechanical parts, clean out the commutator or replace worn-out carbon brushes. Before we talk about long-term solutions, allow your drill to sit for about 5 minutes under the shade to cool it down.

 

Clean your ventilation vents

A blocked vent can cause your drill to overheat and smell like it’s burning. Follow these steps to fix this:

1. Switch off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Use a can of compressed air to blow through the opening of the vents in the drill. This should remove most of the specks of dirt.
3. If you feel the tool is too clogged up, remove the back covering of the electrical component to get better access.
4. Do not cover the vents with your hand while using the drill. Let your drill breathe.

 

Adjust your drilling technique

If you use the wrong technique, your drill will overheat and have a burning smell. Follow these steps to improve your drilling experience without worrying about funny burning smells.

1. First, do not apply too much pressure while using the drill. Let it do its work.
2. Also, avoid covering the vents with your hand while using the drill.
3. Do not drill at awkward angles.
4. Avoid using the drill without taking breaks. Long-term use at a stretch can damage your drill.

 

Lubricate the mechanical parts

Excessive friction in the moving parts of your drill can cause it to overheat and produce a burning smell. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and lubricate your drill:

1. First, switch off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Next, remove the four screws that connect the mechanical parts to the electrical component.
3. Next, rotate the gears with your hand to ensure they are not worn out.
4. Next, lubricate and grease the moving parts of the drills.
5. Finally, replace the screws you removed earlier.

 

Clean the commutator

A dirty commutator can cause your drill to overheat and produce a burning smell. Follow these steps to find a lasting solution to this:

1. First, switch off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Next, remove the four screws that connect the mechanical parts to the electrical component. Set the mechanical component apart.
3. Then, remove the back covering of the electrical component.
4. Finally, remove the motor unit. This will give you access to the carbon brush.
5. Use a Philip screwdriver to pop out the wires connected to the two carbon brushes.
6. Using those screwdrivers, push out the brushes from where they make contact with the commutator.
7. Use a can of compressed air to blow out dirt that may be hanging in this section. You can also use an electrical contact cleaner to achieve a better result.
8. Recouple the carbon brushes and connect the wire back into place.
9. Cover the back and secure the mechanical component with the screws you removed earlier.

 

Replace worn-out carbon brushes

Your drill may produce a burning smell because of worn-out carbon brushes, especially if you have had them for a long time. Follow these guidelines to replace your worn carbon brush:

1. Turn off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Remove the four screws that connect the mechanical parts to the electrical component. Set the mechanical component apart.
3. Remove the back covering of the electrical component.
4. Remove the motor unit. This will give you access to the carbon brush.
5. Use a Philip screwdriver to pop out the wires connected to the two carbon brushes.
6. Using those screwdrivers, push out the brushes from where they make contact with the commutator.
7. Buy a new set of carbon brushes compatible with your drill’s model. They cost around $5 on Amazon.
8. Couple the new carbon brushes into your rotor.
9. Reconnect the wires to the end.
10. Cover the back and secure the mechanical component with the screws you removed earlier.

 

Why does my new drill smell like it’s burning?

The reason why your brand new drill smells like it’s burning is blocked ventilation vents, using too much pressure while operating the drill, and working long hours.

Blocked ventilation vents

Electric motors are used to generate the rotational force needed in drills. The course of this rotation and energy conversion generates heat. To reduce this heat, ventilation vents are on the back of the electrical component casing.

Using an improper technique, for example, covering the vents with your hand while using the drill, can cause overheating. This excessive heat then causes the components of your drill to smell like something is burning.

 

Using too much pressure

Your drill is supposed to do the work. All it needs from you is a little guidance. When you apply too much pressure simply because you have a blunt drill or use the wrong drill for the job, you overwork it.

The extra pressure prevents the mechanism of the drill from kicking in. Overriding your tool’s inherent mechanism with pressure will cause it to overheat. This heat can cause it to produce a burning smell.

 

Working long hours

These tools were not designed to be used continuously for hours. So, the next time you discover that your drill is overheating, you need to take a break and allow it to cool down. Failure to do this might lead to permanent damage to your drill.

 

How To Cool Down A Drill Bit?

You can swap out your drill bit or lubricate the moving parts to cool it down. However, before you find a long-term solution, allow your drill to sit for about 5 minutes under shade to cool down the tool.

 

Change your drill bit.

When your drill bit is full, it can overheat. Follow these steps to swap out the drill bit:

1. First, switch off your drill to avoid any accidental discharge.
2. Then, turn your drill to its side.
3. Then use a screwdriver to remove the chuck keys that keep the bit in place,
4. The drill bit should fall out. Replace with the new one.
5. Tighten the key to secure the bit in place.

 

Lubricate your drill

Excessive friction in the moving parts of your drill can cause the drill bit to overheat. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and lubricate your drill:

1. Turn off your drill and remove it from the power source.
2. Remove the four screws that connect the mechanical parts to the electrical component.
3. Rotate the gears with your hand to ensure they are not worn out.
4. Lubricate and grease the moving parts of the drills.
5. Replace the screws you removed earlier.

 

Why Is My Milwaukee Drill Overheating?

Your Milwaukee drill is overheating because of the technique you drill with, blocked ventilation vents, mechanical problems, working long hours, worn-out brushes, and other electrical problems. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and fix it.

1. Switch off your Milwaukee drill.
2. Start by allowing it to cool down for a few minutes.
3. Adjust your drilling technique using the guide above.
4. Take breaks in between the use of your drill.
5. Lubricate your drill often.
6. Clean your vents.
7. Clean the commutator of your drill.
8. Replace the carbon brushes if they are worn out.

 

Why Is My Makita Drill Overheating?

Your Makita drill is overheating because of the technique you drill with, blocked ventilation vents, mechanical problems, working long hours, worn-out brushes, and other electrical problems. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and fix it.

1. Switch off your Makita drill.
2. Start by allowing it to cool down for a few minutes.
3. Adjust your drilling technique using the guide above.
4. Take breaks in between the use of your drill.
5. Lubricate your drill often.
6. Clean your vents.
7. Clean the commutator of your drill.
8. Replace the carbon brushes if they are worn out.

 

Why Is My Dewalt Drill Overheating?

Your Dewalt drill is overheating because of the technique you drill with, blocked ventilation vents, mechanical problems, working long hours, worn-out brushes, and other electrical problems. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and fix it.

1. Ensure you turn off your Dewalt drill.
2. Start by allowing it to cool down for a few minutes.
3. Adjust your drilling technique using the guide above.
4. Take breaks in between the use of your drill.
5. Lubricate your drill often.
6. Clean your vents.
7. Clean the commutator of your drill.
8. Replace the carbon brushes if they are worn out.

 

Why Is My Bosch Drill Overheating?

Your Bosch drill is overheating because of the technique you drill with, blocked ventilation vents, mechanical problems, working long hours, worn-out brushes, and other electrical problems. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and fix it.

1. Turn off your Bosch drill.
2. Firstly, allow the drill to cool down for a few minutes.
3. Then, adjust your drilling technique using the guide above.
4. Take breaks in between the use of your drill.
5. Lubricate your drill often.
6. Clean your vents.
7. Clean the commutator of your drill.
8. Replace the carbon brushes if they are worn out.