A quick question regarding Dewalt’s Sliding Compound mitre saw, the electric blade brake on mine has stopped working. Does any one know about these brakes? My biggest concern is that this failure is a sign that something else is ready to go (loose clutch pieces..I don’t know). The brake is nice and I would be willing to fix it if doesn’t cost too much and if I can do the work myself. I don’t want to bring the saw in for service.
Dewalt’s customer service has neglected to reply to my email.
Dan in Connecticut
Replies
It is probably caused by failed contacts in the switch. There are two sets of contacts, one for the motor and one for the brake. You can order parts yourself from there website. All the parts catalogs are available online as well as prices and ordering. The switch cost me around 15.00. If you know anything about electrical troubleshooting you can remove the switch and check it easily with a multimeter.
I had a delta miter saw for 5 years. The electric brake broke in the first 3 months, and the saw died 5 years later, so if dewalt and delta are built similar, I would not worry about that.
Bob in Sherbrooke, Province of Québec
Dan,
You'd better try calling them. I had the same problem with Delta.
Don't know why, but so many of these companies seem to check their email only on a monthly basis. Guess they haven't quite gotten the hang of 21st century communications.
Jeff
i have three miter saws, dewalt and delta and the brakes never last more than a few weeks in my experience, problem is probably in the switch or the resister pack
never bothered to fix them
You might first try hogging down through a big hunk of tough hardwood like oak or maple a number of times, to the point where the motor is really straining. Then let your finger slide off the trigger so the switch slams home. That will often get electric brakes working again, particularly dewalt and hitachi.
Clampman
My motto is "when all else fails, consult the instruction manual." So here is a quote from page 8 of the DeWalt DW708 Sliding Compound Miter Saw instruction manual (the model I have and assume you have since it is the only scms DeWalt currently produces): "If (the brake will not function properly), turn the saw on and off four or five times. If the brake still does not stop the blade in about 3 seconds, the problem may be worn brushes. Replace the brushes...and try the saw again."
This might not be the answer to your problem, but it is certainly worth a try. The procedure is explained in the manual and brushes are cheap enough. However, the manual states that if replacing the brushes fail to fix the problem, then it recommends having the tool serviced.
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