AVID POWER ADMT146: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-17

Summary

The most common owner warning is a possible unit-level reliability issue plus heat build-up during extended use, and the included blades are basic quality; no exact-model owner threads exist, so there is no failure rate to quote. Running costs are limited to replacement blades, with no price or replacement interval reported, and the corded design means no battery platform to buy into. It is a good buy at or below about $30 on big-box listings and reasonable up to about $55, but weak above that.

Common problems and fixes

Accessory-count mismatch — the title says 13 accessories, the manufacturer’s own itemized list sums to 12 and Consumer Reports counts 12, and two different 13-piece kits exist, so the title alone does not say which kit you get. [1][2][4]

Parts and consumables

Carbon brushes (spares included) — the kit includes 2 spare carbon brushes, described as a wear item that extends motor service life; replacement availability as an orderable part is unknown. [1][2]

Yearly running cost

Not enough data. The tool is corded, so there is no battery platform to buy into and no electricity figure is reported. The only recurring cost is replacement blades, and no source gives a price or a replacement interval for them. [6]

When it is a good buy

At or below about $30: strong value for occasional DIY use.
About $31-55: still reasonable, especially at the manufacturer’s $53.99 with the 13-piece kit.
Above about $55: weak.
Above about $70: poor value unless the 112-piece blade bundle applies.

The manufacturer’s site listed the ADMT146 at $53.99 in October 2026, and big-box listing mirrors showed the 13-piece bundle at $35.25, $26.00 and $24.75 and the 112-piece kit at $32 in October 2026. [1][3][9][10][13][14]

Alternatives: the Dremel MM50-01 at $74.99 (Consumer Reports shop price, 2026) is the better choice when you want a published lab score and a deeper ownership record; the DeWalt DCS356B cordless at about $98.94 suits anyone who needs cordless; Flex and FEIN, at $219.00 and $269.95 in Consumer Reports’ field, are the top performers if budget is not the constraint. [4]