I have owned a Grizzly Z1022 contractors saw for about 3-1/2 years. From day one the saw would not tilt to 45 degrees for bevel cuts without the blade contacting the table top. Grizzly gave me the option of returning it for repairs at my expense (this is a 425 pound saw) or living with it. I chose to live with it since I seldom make bevel cuts.
Being a slow learner, I recently tried to tilt the blade to 45 degrees to cut some thin stock, thinking I might have enough clearance. Instead, the entire undercarraige assembly shifted a full 1/4 inch out of alignment, from front to rear of the blade. After unsuccessfully trying to correct the problem following the owners manual, I contacted Grizzly. Thier suggestion was to enlarge and enlongate the holes in the trunnions. I have now enlarged both front and rear trunnon holes a full 3/16 inch all around and still cannot bring the balde any closer to alignment than 1/16 inch from front to back of the blade. I have the feeling I am missing a simple, obvious solution. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone may have.
Thanks,
Dan T.
Replies
Dan,
I'm not familiar enough with the design of contractors saws to make a suggestion. However, do you have documentation for your original complaint? If so, contact your State's Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection. You may have legal recourse to make Grizzly repair your saw. Most states have laws requiring replacement/repair of defective merchandise, regardless of any guarantee or limitation the manufacturer may claim.
An e-mail to Sal Baliola wouldn't hurt either.
Jeff
Dan, the guy who told you to enlarge the trunnion holes is a dufus!!! Can't say this in strong enough terms.
OK, Whew. Now, I speak from experience. What happened to your saw is that the carriage assembly, which has connecting rods from front to back, got forced out of square. I had exactly this same problem with my (very well) used Jet contractor's saw when I got it. Fortunately, people here at Knots kept me from drilling out the trunnion holes!
My problem was eventually solved by having a Jet-referred tech guy re-align the carriage assembly and tighten everything back down. I have been told since then that this process can be extremely difficult -- it's not simply a matter of shifting the trunnions only, the connecting rods have to be realigned too.
In the old days, Steve posted his solution to this problem, but I tried it and couldn't get it to work. I think sometimes the shift is so severe that just shaking the thing out doesn't work.
Another thing to be very cognizant of: If you're not careful adjusting the rear trunnion (if you let it get too loose) you can misalign the front in such a way that the entire carriage assmebly can fall out of the trunnions. Not a good idea!!
I really think that Grizzly owes you here, and 'twere I you I'd work my way up the chain of the command and get some help.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 11/29/2002 11:27:55 PM ET by forest_girl
Dan,
I agree with Jamie. To check the saw, take off the motor and turn it upside down (off the stand). Unbolt the frame (skirt) from the underside of the top. You'll then have access to the trunion assembly without any impediment and you can check for squareness.
I would insist that Grizzly take it back and get it to factory specs. It weighs a lot less in the partially-disassembled state described above.
R
Rich,
I have completely disassembled the saw, as you describe, and reassembled it twice. This is the recommended procedure in the owners manual. This was how I was able to enlarge the trunnion holes. It is obvious everything has shifted, but I can't figure out how. The rear trunnion bolts were so tight I had to use a 3 pound sledge hammer to loosen them. Nothing seems bent, just out of alignment.
Thanks for your input.
Dan
Dan, you could try and line up a tech in your neck of the woods who would be willing to re-align it for you. The way I did it was to meet the guy where I could drop off the saw, so I didn't have to pay travelling fees (an issue when you live on an island!).
He charged me $60 for the work (and threw in a set of cast iron wings for another $30, yes!). A couple of avenues to try and find one: Look up "Saws -- Sharpening and Repair" in the Yellow Pages -- these guys may charge way more. Give Jet a call and ask for a tech in your area (1-800-274-6846). Not much difference between contractor's saws' anatomies.
There's a (slim) possibility that your saw was simply out of adjustment to begin with and could be put completely right. Who knows?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
It's worth a try. Thanks again.
Dan
Thanks for the input. I am not faulting Grizzly, since they offered to correct the problem if I sent it back. It was my choice not to. I own a Grizzly 14" bandsaw and 6" joiner and both are great machines.
I am sorry to hear the solution suggested by the tech rep was the wrong way to go. Given the size of the connecting rods and other parts of the undercarrige I can't see how anything could have shifted. I suspect that you are right about needing a new saw. If nothing else, I now need new trunnions.
Thanks, again,
Dan
I'm back :-) Dan, I've followed on-line posts about Grizzly enough to have developed a theory that there's a worker out there that performs contrary to their usual excellent customer service record. Once in awhile, someone get the bum's rush from one of their reps. Be persistent, firm, but calm and work your way up the ladder until you get satisfaction!
I'd recommend against messing around with the saw any more -- it's a frustrating waste of time, the saw needs to be replaced, and if you do more damage it'll be harder to get them on board with you.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
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