Went to turn it on this morning and it just made a humming sound but didn’t turn. Need less to say I was more than disapointed. I am in the midle of a new vanity for the guest suite and I really ned to get it done, expecting a newborn in three weeks and will have lots of visitors.
I called a couple of local motor repair shops and both told me that it would cost more to repair than to buy a new one. I know parts are available for it so I figured I would have a look. Well I wrestled the darn thing out from under the saw and took it apart. Start capacitor checked ok, windings checked ok, the internal start switch (centrifugal)looked pretty bad with a lot of burning on the contacts. Called the shops back looking for a new switch but no one had one in stock so I took my coarse diamond paddle and cleaned up the contacts. Reassembled everything and she cranked right up.
Decided that while I had her apart I should replace the belts and give everything a good clean and lube. Bought and installed some power twist belts and I can’t beleive the difference they made. The saw has never run so well. I think the belts that were on it were original and it is a 1972 model saw.
All in all things turned out pretty well and I have enough of the power twist belt to do my shapers, jointer, and bandsaw. Maybe the planer too. They will have to wait til the vanity is done though.
Tom in GA
Replies
>"Bought and installed some power twist belts and I can't beleive the difference they made. " YEP! Aren't they wonderful?
Congrats on your repair job! Much better than buying a new motor.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Tom,
Way to go fixing the contacts yourself! I have the same saw, same vintage I believe- it has the Rockwell "peace sign". It's a real workhorse, and it runs so smooth I didn't think link belts could make an improvement. I use linkbelts on my other machines; will have to try them in the Unisaw.
Rick
I was amazed at how much difference the belts made because I have always though it was a pretty smooth machine. Shapers are next in line to have the belts replaced.
Fixing the contacts was a great feeling since the shops had told me that they wouldn't bother with it. I have since found a shop that would work it but they don't have parts in stock. I may order a switch just to have on hand. The quick fix should last a while but you never know. Don't think a new switch is very expensive so it's good insurance.
Tom
Don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but aren't linkbelts not recommended for cabinets saws? Also, the belts come in matched pairs or trips. I'm not really sure what difference it would make, but. . . . .
Don
Never seen that anywhere. The info that comes with the belts shows them in multi belt industrial applications. I don't see how there could be any problem running them. Got any sources for that info?
Tom,
Yea, it's something I can't verify, just one of those things I've always heard and took for granted. I assume it has to do with the matched belts or maybe the shive shape? I don't know, but that's why I posed the comment as a question and not a statement.
Don
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