Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Jun 26, 2008 10:16pm | #1

   A 12 inch contractor's saw, I've never seen one, it is more likely a 10" saw.

   In any case, does your saw have a lock knob in the center of the crank handle for the blade height? If you tighten the knob with moderate force can you still turn the knob?

   John White

1. 
   kavikhahn | Jun 27, 2008 04:50am | #2

   It is a Rockwell model 34-388 12" Contractors's saw.  I recently put a new crank handle ( from Delta's webpage).  The center knob is quite tight, but the mechanism is loose.

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 02, 2008 06:20pm | #3

   Never knew that they made a 12" version of the saw, it is quite rare. In any case the height lock mechanism, which is used on a number of their saws, is poorly designed, weak, and prone to wear.The lock works by tightening a collar with a small fiber washer on it against the back of the trunnion casting where the shaft of the height crank goes through the casting. Over time the washer and/or the surfaces of the casting wear out until there isn't enough friction to lock up the shaft, even when the lock knob is tight. Sometimes you can compensate by just adding a steel washer on the shaft behind the crank handle, but if that doesn't work you may have to take the saw apart and remove the shaft to replace the fiber washer.John White