When a product is under warranty, getting it repaired is a lot easier since it’s free. But once it’s out of warranty, what do you do? How do you fix your best portable job site table saw? You may want to go the DIY tool repair route and potentially save some serious coin. Every once in a while, we come across online parts suppliers that make repairs easier. We feel this provides value for those of us with out-of-warranty power tools and appliances. Several of these repair sources exist, including Repair Clinic, Parts Warehouse, Genuine Replacement Parts, and Fix.com.
They have a lot to offer, so let’s start with the basics: parts.
DIY Tool Repair Starts with Parts
Obviously, the focus of us here at Pro Tool Reviews is on tools. You’ll notice that most online parts suppliers cover most of the key brands. They certainly (at least) service most Prosumers and DIY brands along with a few Pro brands. For DIY tool repair, here are the major brands you can expect to find select parts for at most online part suppliers:
- Ariens
- Black & Decker
- Bosch
- Briggs & Stratton
- Craftsman
- Cub Cadet
- DeWalt
- Dolmar
- Echo
- Exmark
- Fasco
- Generac
- Graco
- Husky
- Husqvarna
- Kohler
- MTD
- Makita
- Poulon / Poulon Pro
- Ridgid
- Ryobi
- Snapper
- Stihl
- Toro
- Troy-Bilt
- Wagner
- Worx
If you’re like me, most of the DIY repairs you make aren’t on the power tool side of things. Where I save the most money is tackling appliance and OPE (outdoor power equipment) repairs and maintenance. It’s in those areas that I see a lot of potential for buying parts online for DIY tool repair.
Diagnosis
One of the biggest hassles in DIY tool repair is simply diagnosing what the issue is. Many of these parts suppliers include rudimentary diagnostic tools or guides to help walk you through identifying issues and problems.
You may need to be comfortable with some electrical testing here. While saving money is the ultimate goal, know your limits. When there are multiple possible issues, you might be better off letting the repairman tackle them. DIY tool repair isn’t for everyone.
How To
The most intimidating part of tackling DIY tool repair is knowing whether you’re going to wreck the whole thing and have to call a repairman. Or worse, explain to your wife that your attempts to repair an appliance now require replacing it.
One of the greatest benefits some of these sites offer is their library of videos, articles, and schematics. These can really help you figure out how to do the repair yourself—all free of charge. Check out these videos from RepairClinic.com:
There are other benefits like forums, Q&A’s, social media communication, and the ability to save your equipment in your profile that helps streamline the process as well.
DIY Tool Repair Bottom Line
If it sounds like I’m encouraging you to try your own DIY tool repair, well, I am. Looking around at what the Internet has to offer, there are some outstanding resources to pull from. Getting your parts shipped directly to you doesn’t hurt either.
Ready to start? Check out these recommended parts supplier websites:
- RepairClinic.com – Great resource for videos, manuals, schematics, and more. Truly one of the most robust options around.
- PartsWarehouse.com – Up-front schematics and tons of parts
- GenuineReplacementParts.com – Appliances only, but a great resource for parts
- Amazon.com – Believe it or not, you can find most available parts online at Amazon
