Fx Bricks (Michael Gale) announces Fx Track system

[Toastie]

On 2/27/2026 at 6:01 AM, michaelgale said:

A few points:

Hi Michael,

that is a perfect write-up!!!

Maybe one tiny little thing to add: Thermistors, as they are “stressed” chemical compounds (they need to chemically conduct current in contrast to metal wires, they simply push electrons through and thus may burn out, as nobody tells them hey, could be too much ;) - naturally “age”. First with time, second with stress. As do rechargeable batteries, for the same reason but due to a totally different chemistry.

Thank you very much and all the best
Thorsten 

[XG BC]

On 2/27/2026 at 6:01 AM, michaelgale said:

If you're careful and brave, you can take apart the motor and clean / restore the brushes.  Clean both the brush contact "shoes" as well as the copper rotor contacts on the motor shaft with 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) until all of the sooty deposits are removed.  Inspect the surfaces of the brushes and rotor contacts and look for pitting or other visually apparent discontinuities. If you see pitting, use a very fine-grit (1600-4000 grit) sanding paper to burnish the surface of the brushes/contacts so that they are smooth, then re-clean the surfaces with IPA. 

Hey micheal,

Fantastic writeup, as someone that has studied electrical engineering for 2 years (though we mostly did AC cirquits where things like inductance and stuff have a greater impact meaning wire length is essential to get right and equal), i agree with all your points, in fact i have "restored" such a motor myself with the methode you described. It was a large drill motor like several kW in power. and yes you could drill through concrete with that one afterwards like it was butter. HILTI makes solid tools, can recommend.