Spare parts - Always a good idea!
Being a contractor for 30 years, I know even the most reliable and seemingly indestructible tools can go bad in a moments notice. So I don't have extra collates for my router, I have an extra router. I don't keep a spare motor for my circular saw, I have a second saw. My air guns? Framers, trimmers & brad nailers, I have two of each along with a seal kit and extra drivers for each. Blades, bits, batteries, air hoses etc.. that goes without saying.
Now don't get me wrong here. I didn't buy two of everything at once. I simply could not afford that. But as I could, I bought back up tools of most everything because down time is far more expensive than the second tool or "Part".
When my board sensor finally puked after 150+ hours, you can bet I bought two.
I really don't think it's the CW "most" times
Guess I'll open my yap again....LOL I'm sure I'll get a bad rap for this by some but.....here goes.
I just don't get how folks are having so much trouble with there machines??? I've had two things go wrong after 200+ hours of carving.
1) A torn belt - MY FAULT - didn't see a splintered edge on the bottom of the board and it got caught under the belt while carving.
2) Board sensor diodes came out on my 15 hour carve - Again, MY FAULT. Took it apart one day to clean it after the first 8 hours of use. Broke the little plastic pins on it's cover so it now vibrated. Still lasted an additional 150 hours before coming apart.
Did I just get lucky with mine?? I Think NOT. I have no luck except for BAD. I simply can't believe that "my" machine is any different or better than any others. Do I care for and use the machine properly, ABSOLUTELY.
After a year of using it and reading about all the issues others are having, I'm now convinced that the "MAJORITY" of these problems largely stems from a lack of basic mechanical knowledge and simply abusing the machine.