Chris J Dixon wrote:
For some time I have had, and been very pleased with, an Alko
SP5000 Silent Power Electric Garden Shredder

http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/alko-sp5000-silent-power-electric-garden-shredder.html

It has a reversing switch, to deal with clogging.

Recently, it has sometimes stalled on starting, and the direction
of running seems random, and unconnected with the position of the
reversing switch.

The exploded drawing shows what looks very much like a motor
capacitor which I am guessing has failed.

Further investigation is currently blocked, as one of the screws
in the top moulding, which is the first step to dismantling the
machine, has a one way head, looking rather like this:

http://www.alliedboltinc.com/product/10-24-X-1-inch-ONE-WAY-R/H-MACHINE-SCREW-STAINLESS~2263.aspx

and it fits in a recess.

I have seen rather expensive removal tools, with a couple of
pins, but the reviews are, at best, mixed.

The simplest, and crudest, solution is the attack the screw head
with a Dremel cutting disk, and attempt to cut a sharp enough
edge to engage a screwdriver. This will inevitably cause damage
to the surrounding plastic.

Has anybody else had to deal with this?

Chris

What *******s! You could perhaps try drilling two small holes (one in each
"ramp") to then allow the use of a modified screwdriver.

Tim