[Techman]

I've had another look at the D500 earlier today and taken the data off the specification plate;

B & D Super 3/8 10mm drill. Type 1 T, 200/250v AC 25-60 c/s.

I've had a look at some of the accessories. The ones that actually came with the drill were I think the sanding disc pad with a pack of discs, some drills, the 'arbor' shown with the grinding wheel which was also thrown in. This 'arbor' was also intended to be used with a circular saw blade that was also supplier free with the 'kit'. The saw blade was the same size as the one shown on the attachment but with much smaller teeth. I don't know how they expected someone to use particularly just the saw blade with no actual attachment other than that arbor to fit in the chuck, but as a youngster, although I was doubtful, I did actually try to cut something with it - let's just say that I had a lucky escape and just ended up with the blade getting slightly bent!

The drill with its now virtually permanent saw attachment has had a lot of use cutting up 8 x 4 sheets of plywood, wallboard and chipboard, plus ripping through thick oak shelving for the radio room. I can tell you that the way to make a tool like this survive is to take it VERY slowly when using it and stop to let the motor speed up every so often. I also don't release the trigger straight away after finishing a long cut, I let it run for a minute off load to allow the cooling fan to do its job. It's the original saw blade, although it's gradually getting smaller and won't cut quite so deep due to me keep taking the triangular file to the blade teeth to keep it sharp. I used to be quite good with oiling the bearing etc. - probably another reason it's lasted so long after its initial early armature failure. A tool like this would be no good for a professional builder, as it would be too slow to use without burning it out, but with careful use it's a lot easier than sawing large sheets of wood by hand!

I've also shown the handy wooden box that I keep the drill bits and pieces in. I found it in a skip decades ago and it originally had a wind up gramophone motor fitted in it, although this may not have been its original use. The left hand side of the box hinges down and I have a vague recollection of something like this being described once before, but whether it was on this forum or somewhere else, I can't remember - perhaps a topic for another thread sometime.