You guys are pretty awesome. Thank you for all your advice. I live in Yardley, PA and, so far as I know, there aren't any carvers anywhere near to here. I wish there was...we could swap ideas! For example, in replacing the flexshaft, I had NO idea that you were supposed to take the cover off. The instructions didn't say so, so I spent a couple of hours trying to get it threaded through the back, turned into the motor and deep enough that it locked into place. Then I complained and someone said I should have taken the cover off. I'll never get those 2-3 hours of my life back.
I'll order the brushes from LHR and give it a try. Worst case scenario is that I have to send it back to them anyhow, but not perfectly put back together. Thank you again
Machine Model C.
I believe I'm using the CarveTight chuck, the one with the red handled hex wrench
Unit was bought in 2011.
As of Oct 2013, have logged around 250 hours
Using the heavy duty rubber drive belts.
Using the Ringneck blues DC with a Harbor Freight dust collector