Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Jun 14, 2004 04:56pm | #1

   You didn't mention the brand of saw, but it might need the starter switch replaced.

     With the power off, check all electrical connections from inside the switch to the motor plate for solid connections and grounding.

1. 
   cjeden | Jun 14, 2004 05:16pm | #2

   It is a Craftsman from Sears.

   The motor power cable actually plugs into the back of the on/off switch box--and there is power coming out of the starter box--is it possible that if the switch is bad it could be causing the amps? voltage to drop?

   I checked that power was getting to that socket on the back of the on/off switch but not with  volt meter just one of thoses cheap socket testers.

   cjeTake what you want, leave the rest

1. 
   tallcorn | Jun 15, 2004 11:25pm | #12

   This happenrd to me with a sears motor a few years ago.  I took it to a motor shop and they blew it out.  It was just dust under the contacts as I recall.

   Scott

   http://www.vmtw.com

1. 
   cjeden | Jun 16, 2004 12:16am | #13

   Well I took the motor off last night and fiddled with this and faddled with that and didn't really do anything other than take out bolts and then put them back in blew out some saw dust, pounded on it a bit and...now it works just fine ..at least for now.

   so thanks

   cjeTake what you want, leave the rest

2. 
   RickL | Jun 14, 2004 05:17pm | #3

   Your problem is electrical not wood related. I suggest you look in the local yellow pages and talk to your local motor repair shop. Sounds like a starting capacitor could be gone. I'd let a pro take care of it or you could risk damaging the motor or hurting yourself. If you have to ask here for electrical help you need to talk to your local motor repair guy.

3. 
   PhillipB | Jun 14, 2004 05:30pm | #4

   You did not mention the manufacturer but maybe this could be your problem.

   Can you rotate the blade by hand? I have a Craftsman and if I raise my blade too high I can get it to bind which WILL prevent the motor from turning. This will definitely result in the 'humming' that you hear.

   Good luck.

   Phillip

1. 
   cjeden | Jun 14, 2004 05:39pm | #5

   It is a Craftsman and that is a really interesting idea--I think I can remember not being able to turn the blade by hand (with the motor off). 

   I guess you fixed the problem by lowering the blade a touch?

   Thanks for the tip--good one

   cjeTake what you want, leave the rest

1. 
   mudman | Jun 14, 2004 06:23pm | #7

   If you can rotate the blade by hand (with the machine OFF) then I'd agree that it is the starting capacitor or  starter switch. There is a cintrifugal (sp?) switch inside the motor that kicks in when the motor revs up. It is kind like second gear. When the motor slows down it springs back into "low gear", you can hear a click when it happens, basicly turning on the starter capacitor. This mechanism can become cloged with saw dust. Unplug the saw and blow out the rear (opposite of the shaft) part of the motor motor with compressed air. You can check the capacitor with an old fasioned analog voltmeter. Hopefully it is the starter switch.

   Good luck,

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

2. 
   PhillipB | Jun 14, 2004 06:35pm | #8

   CJE,

   Great! Glad I could be of some help.

   If you get a flashlight and take a look under your TS - on the belt side - you will see that the upper pulley is the culprit. Stupid design error. At one time I thought that it was the arbor flanges that were rubbing against my 'home made' zero-inserts. This was not the problem at all. It was the upper pulley and if you crank it up tight, it will bind.

   Regards,

   Phillip

1. 
   mudman | Jun 14, 2004 10:17pm | #9

   I'm glad it's fixed! That is a really bad design error.

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

1. 
   PhillipB | Jun 15, 2004 01:29am | #10

   "That is a really bad design error."

   You're right, Mike. Not good at all.

   I discovered that the day I was testing out a new cross-cut sled. I cranked the blade up as far as it would go so I could determine the blade height-of-cut with the sled in place. Tried to spin the blade by hand and couldn't. Made me wonder about the folks who design these power tools. In all fairness to the mechanical engineers who design these things, it could be that some assembler used the wrong size pulley or was provided the wrong pulley in the first place. Who knows? This problem could - I believe - be alleviated by just installing a smaller pulley.

   I also discovered about a month ago that the key in this same pulley in my TS seems to be frozen in place. The pulley came loose and slid to the 'off' side. I was in the process of changing dado blades and wanted to spin the whole thing - unplugged, of course - and found that I couldn't budge it. AND I HAD JUST BEEN USING IT!!!!!! I took a look under and saw that this pulley had lodged itself against the lower assembly and was locked in place. And there are those who say there is NO GOD!!!. If I had turned the juice back on as it was, parts would have gone a'flying!!! I moved the pulley back in line with the motor pulley and locked down the set screw. Simple maintenance on my part would have spotted the problem. Lady Luck had her eye on me that day.

   Anyway, it only takes a minute to check these things out. I was very lucky that day. Never did like 'close calls'.

   Take care.

   Phillip

4. 
   MBL | Jun 14, 2004 06:12pm | #6

   Dear friend,

   What most likely is the problem is a chip stuch in one of the start contacts.

   First, see if the motor has ventilating openings on the faces. If it does, then blow some compressed air through those openings whith the motor off. Else, use a vaccum, or both.

   If that still does not clear up the problem, then start the motor and hit it in a few places with a piece of wood but do not let the motor make that noise other than for say 2 or 3 seconds. Then let it rest and try again. If no vaccum or air, still try if it will start by hitting it with a piece of wood.

   If it does not have any openings, then it could be a bad capacitor, but it could still have some dust inside and if so, it might loosen by hitting it just the same.

   Good luck.

   -mbl-

5. 
   billballeza | Jun 15, 2004 03:34am | #11

   Have you tried resetting the motor? Craftsman motors have a reset switch on the back or side of the motor which will keep the motor from running under certain circumstances.

   Try locating the reset button.. holding it in for a few seconds.. and then try the saw again.