Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | May 17, 2003 10:03pm | #1

   You're describing the classic symptoms of worn out motor brushes.

   John W.

1. 
   roly94 | May 17, 2003 10:12pm | #2

   HI,Thanks for the response.I meant to say brushes and not bushings in the above.The brushes appear to be like new.I was hoping it WAS brushes as I have new ones available to put in.Maybe a short in the rotor or stator?Thanks Roland.

1. 
   JohnWW | May 17, 2003 10:46pm | #3

   The mystery deepens.  You could still have a brush problem, is there something causing them to stick in their guides or are the springs heat damaged perhaps?    If the brushes have lead wires are the wires in good shape and solidly attached to the carbons?  If you have replacement brushes I'd throw them in to see if that solves the problem.

   An alternative source of trouble is the switch, sometimes they pack up with fine dust and the contacts  have trouble closing.  Another possibility is a broken wire where the power cord goes into the wall plug or into the machines switch, just moving the machine a little bit or jiggling the wire can reestablish the connection.  More specific details about how the machine is acting and what you have to do to start it might suggest some other causes.

   John

1. 
   roly94 | May 18, 2003 12:10am | #4

   John thanks for your help.It could be the brushes then.It is definitely the motor and not the switch or cord problem.I am a fairly decent armchair tech,worked on vcrs,amplifiers,automotive,etc,and I know to start with the easiest and obvious,switches,cords,etc.,and work myself backwards.I have eliminated those things.

   I have to wack the motor itself multiple times to get it to start up first thing and then I notice an blue arcing in the "vent" area of the motor.That is why I thought it was bad brushes originally.

   I really like this saw though... for $150.The table is nearly dead flat and the fence locks parallel to the blade every time.Never a bind.It isn't a Bridgeport or Powermatic 66 but I have made some pretty complicated stuff requiring a fair degree of accuracy off this saw.Most cheap bench tops make decent crosscut saws and that's it.Forget the fence.I would like to save it.Thanks again,Roland.

1. 
   Len | May 18, 2003 07:08pm | #5

   roly,

   If you can. Try rotating the brushes 180 degrees. Might solve the problem. Try also checking the commutator for excessive wear. If that's the case you can remove the shaft and take it to a machine shop to have it turned back smooth.

   Hope this helps,

   Len