I haven't worked on one of them in years but I looked at a breakdown and the parts are as I remember. Go to Milwaukeetool.com and under parts/service type in your model number and view the wiring diagram for an operational check procedure. I would first look at the cord and is the base sitting on 1/2 or greater plate steel. If rusted or painted you will loose some of the holding force. Also I don't know what motor you have but some of the larger units require a lot of amps to operate and it is possible that even though you plugged it in direct to wall the circuit wasn't sufficient to operate both units. Last resort call the tech dept. at Milwaukee and see if they have any ideas. That panel is a component part as you know and there were no replacement parts for it. Hope this helps if not let me know and I will do some more checking