Replies

1. 
   lostcreek | Aug 20, 2009 04:16am | #1

   Google "The Saw Center" in Mass. They are experts on Unisaws...
   lostcreek

1. 
   jayder | Aug 20, 2009 06:09pm | #5

   thanks for the info

1. 
   RickL | Aug 20, 2009 07:11pm | #6

   If replacing the arbor just install new bearings. You won't need a press. A piece of pipe the size of the inner race will work to tap the bearing in place. Brass is better but steel pipe will work.

   Used to work of for a dealer and spent 8 years doing lots of work on machinery. Did a lot of warranty repair work on Delta. Not to say they are bad but for a company that sells as much as they do it's just the nature of the business.

2. 
   forestgirl | Aug 20, 2009 06:56am | #2

   With any luck, Don Green or John White will see your post and answer your questions.  They both are quite experienced with shop machines.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
3. 
   JerryPacMan | Aug 20, 2009 03:31pm | #3

   The Saw Center, that lostcreek mentioned will also rebuild your arbor for $90.

   http://www.sawcenter.com/unisaw.htm

    

    

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans.

   When your ship comes in... make sure you are not at the airport.

4. 
   dgreen | Aug 20, 2009 03:36pm | #4

   The bearings are an interference fit on the arbor, you will most likely need a bearing puller to remove the front bearing. You really should use an arbor press to put the new ones on.

    

    

   ................................................

   Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.
   ~ Denis Diderot

5. 
   sapwood | Aug 20, 2009 07:18pm | #7

   As RickL pointed out, the job is relatively easy using ordinary shop tools and equipment. I've done it on my Unisaw... well, I didn't replace the arbor, but I did remove it, replace bearings, and reinstall. It's a good opportunity to completely clean the inside of the machine. Be sure to inspect the belts and replace if you've any doubt about them at all. I'd also consider replacing the starting capacitor on your motor while you are in there. I didn't and then got to crawl into the saw again (a short time later) for some unwanted diversion to work.

6. 
   PeteBradley | Sep 09, 2009 04:02am | #8

   Rick's advice is sound.

   All but the earliest have a lock ring retaining the bearing at one end. One word of caution -- if the bearings are stuck, or you have access to a press or a big hammer, be very careful not to use excessive force and break the cast iron yoke that holds the bearings. Usually this is not an issue, but it's been done.

7. 
   JohnWW | Sep 09, 2009 04:40pm | #9

   Why do you think the arbor needs to be replaced?

   John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998-2007

1. 
   jayder | Sep 10, 2009 01:22am | #10

   The reason I needed to replace the arbor was due to a groove that was created with a malfunction of the START button. After pressing the START button, I did not realize it was stuck in the plastic housing that surrounds it. When I pressed the STOP button, the motor stopped, but, but as soon as I took my finger off the STOP button, the motor started again and tripped the circuit breaker, causing it to stop again.
   It appears that this start/stop/start motion caused the arbor nut to back off enough that the blade spun freely on the stopped arbor. This caused a groove in the arbor. This happened a second time before I realized what the problem was. I removed the plastic housing, smoothed all the inside edges, and cleaned it. It no longer sticks. Unfortunately, the damage was done. I replaced the arbor and the bearings. Thanks to the FWW forum advice I received, the replacement went smoothly and was easier than I anticipated.