THE PROBLEM:

We bought a Phillips Sonicare Elite electric toothbrush several years ago. It quit working recently and the problem seemed to be that the battery had expired.

With a new Sonicare costing around $100.00 and a battery costing $5.00 it was a no-brainer to try repairing it.

I looked it over and it found no easy way of getting inside of it. I went to YOUTUBE.COM and found several videos dealing with my problem. One video suggested wrapping the collar with electrical tape to keep from breaking it when tightening it onto the handle. I followed the instructions, but pulling the works out of the case just wasn't possible. It seems that thru years of use, water and toothpaste had seeped down between the two pieces, cementing them together. I learned that an "0" ring was the only thing holding it, but I could not pull / pry / force / or cuss enough to get it apart.

Step 1: THE PHILLIPS SONICARE ELITE PRO

THE SOLUTION:

Since the problem was that I could not pull hard enough, I wondered if I could make a saddle of wood to fit around the top, clamp the blocks in a vise, and pull with both hands. Seemed doable to me. This 'Ible is about making the blocks and using them.

Step 2: CHOOSING THE WOOD & SAW

I found a scrap piece of 2" X 2" X 8* long that resembled what I had in mind. I cut it in half, making 2 - 2" X 2" X 4" blocks. I measured the top collar's outside diameter and found it to be 1.398". I found one of my hole saws was 1.3/8" (or 1.375"). Nearly perfect size. Since I had already wrapped the electrical tape around it, I figured I could take off the tape if I needed to. I put the 2 blocks in the milling machine vise and lined up the hole saw to drill on the line separating the 2 blocks.

Step 3: DRILLING THE HOLE

Pretty much self explanatory........raise up saw to get rid of sawdust. Go slow and do not force it. When the pilot bit comes through the bottom, turn the blocks over and finish. Make sure the pilot bit or saw do not hit bed of vise.

Step 4: USING THE BLOCKS

By clamping the collar in the blocks, the blocks held in the vise, and pulling with both hands, it came apart. From a wild idea to success. Next project is to replace the battery, but I need to buy one off eBay. I hope someone finds this helpful. I could not have got inside it without the blocks.

Step 5: FLASH: New Information

In researching this, I found a video that led me to drop the idea of installing a new battery in my old Sonicare brush. A new brush like our old one now costs over $100 on eBay, but they also make a non-rechargeable model with 4 X AAA batteries. It is supposed to use the same motor and technology. I bought a listing of 2 new brushes for $14.99 here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131824839211?_trksid=p2057... but you can find listings of 1 X for $9.99 w/Free S/H

I have received them and we are using them. They work great. I use rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries for nearly everything and will use them in these brushes. The standard batteries shipped with the brushes are supposed to last a month or more and are easy to change out.

The only minor problem I had was installing the batteries correctly, but that was solved when I examined it under a strong light so I could see the (+) & (-) markings. It's really crazy to buy a new brush for $100+ or try to solder in a battery when you can get new brush for less than $10.00.