My rotary tool's acting possessed - sparking and making death noises!

Hey Tool Discount Club fam, need some urgent advice. My cordless rotary tool (brand X, about 2 years old) has started acting super weird. When I fire it up, there's visible sparking inside the housing near the motor, and it makes this high-pitched grinding noise like a dying robot. Battery doesn't hold charge like it used to either - dies after 10 mins of light work. Tried different batteries, same issue. Is this thing toast, or is there a fix I can try myself? Don't really wanna drop cash on a new one if it's salvageable.

Whoa, sparking inside the housing? That sounds sketchy, OP. I'm just an apprentice carpenter, but even I know that's not normal. My boss would probably tell you to stop using it immediately before you start a fire or something. Have you checked the brushes? Sometimes worn brushes can cause sparking and weird noises. Might be a cheap fix if you can find replacement parts online. Also, could be bearing issues causing the wobble/grinding. But honestly, if it's sparking that bad, might be time for a new one. Safety first, right?

OP, listen to Matt. Stop using it. Now. Sparking inside means something's shorting or the insulation's shot. Not worth the risk. At my roofing company, we'd bench that tool immediately. Could be motor arcing, bad windings, or carbon buildup from the brushes. If it's under warranty, contact the manufacturer. If not, and you're handy, you could try disassembling to inspect - but only if you're comfortable with electrical stuff. Otherwise, recycle it and grab a new one. Pro tip: check Tool Discount Club's refurbished section, sometimes good deals on reliable brands.

Ugh, I feel your pain, OP. Had a similar issue with my rotary tool last year - started making a whining noise and then just quit. Turned out the bearings were completely shot from all the dust and debris (I use mine for landscaping projects, so it gets abused). Sparking though... that's next level. Might be the commutator is dirty or damaged. You could try cleaning it with electrical contact cleaner, but honestly, if it's been sparking, the damage might already be done. Like Chris said, safety first. Maybe time to upgrade? I just got the new Brand Y model and it's a beast for detail work.

Thanks everyone! Yeah, you're all right - I've stopped using it after reading these replies. Sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth to fix, especially with the sparking hazard. Gonna check out the refurbished section here and maybe treat myself to an upgrade. Appreciate the help - you guys saved me from potentially zapping myself or burning down my workshop!