Thanks for the replies everyone.
I can't see anything wrong with the arm...it looks newish...much like any other. No visibly broken copper strands....all soldered to the top of the comm as expected.
I have tried loads tonight, but to no avial.
I've tried the arm in two different cans, one with the same brushes (by just swapping the end bell onto a different can with the same arm) and one other can with different brushes. Nothing made any difference and the bugger refuses to start properly.
I also skimmed it and cleaned up the brushes (which are relatively new) with a comm stick and motor spray...no joy still.
The only thing left is to try some new upright brushes...which seem to be quite rare compared to laydowns these days.
I don't hold out much hope for this working though because the arm exhibited the same behavior in two different cans with the same brushes and different ones which I know work.
I don't suppose anyone else has any further ideas....other than to jsut smash it to bits!
