My table saw seems to have lost a lot of power. Anyone have suggestions on what to look for?
When I switch it on, it powers right up, but it bogs down too easily. Even crosscutting a standard 2×4, it was slowing WAAAAAAY down. And last night when I tried some 1″ red oak, it just couldn’t hardly get through it, even when I fed it through at a crawl.
Last Spring when I first put it together, it would EAT 2×4’s without even slowing down. And I had a project last summer that I was cutting 2″ red oak planks. It cut right through them without a problem.
The saw is on a mobile base, and gets moved around if that makes a difference.
I’ve checked that the blade is on correctly. I’ve tried putting a new Freud blade on. I’ve checked that the blade is at 90degrees. I’ve checked the sawdust port to make sure it isn’t clogged. I’ve tried shortening the 12ga extension cord the saw plugs into. I’ve checked that the belt isn’t binding.
Ideas?
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. — Walter Percy Chrysler
Edited 2/28/2005 12:39 pm ET by JohnT8
Edited 2/28/2005 12:41 pm ET by JohnT8
Replies
It would help to know what type saw you have. The blade could be dirty and dull. Any chance that the belt tension has changed?
You don't say what kind of saw or how powerful the motor is.Since you move it around alot maybe you should check the tension on your drive belt(s).The vibration of moving it may have loosened the motor mounts.Also have you done any electrical work that would have added a draw on the breaker your saw runs on? Another thing is ,do you use any kind of grease to lubricate your saw? If so,maybe some has gotten on the belts and pulleys.
You don't say what kind of saw or how powerful the motor is.Since you move it around alot maybe you should check the tension on your drive belt(s).The vibration of moving it may have loosened the motor mounts
It is a Craftsman Professional 228590, 3 hp wired for 120. I think it pulls 13amps
I thought I had found a little used 20amp circuit to plug it into (12ga 25' cord). I will try plugging it into a different 20amp circuit and see if that makes a difference.
Tonight if I have time I will check to see if the belt or motor seem loose or out of alignment.
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
"3 hp wired for 120. I think it pulls 13amps" One of those numbers is wrong.
You're gonna fry your motor with that 100' cord. Second the motion to get a short cord.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Edited 3/1/2005 2:07 am ET by forestgirl
Most 3hp saws run on 15 amps.
"Most 3hp saws run on 15 amps." That would be 220V. He stated his saw runs on 120. (or 230/115 more precisely, I guess :0)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
3 hp wired for 120. I think it pulls 13amps" One of those numbers is wrong.
You're gonna fry your motor with that 100' cord. Second the motion to get a short cord.
I'll switch back to the 25' 12ga cord the next time. I still have hopes of moving where I can have a normal workshop (and maybe just run a permanent 220).
And as to the "hp" ratings... I think they are mostly smoke and mirrors. As someone already pointed out, the "3hp" motor is really a 1.5.
BIG sigh of relief that its back up to speed. I've got a couple little projects I want to use it for and it would have been a major PITA if it was offline.
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
""3hp" motor is really a 1.5." At least for Sears and Hitachi, LOL! Glad you got it back up to speed.
I killed a really nice electric mower by using an undersized extension cord. That'd be a mere shin bump compared to frying a table saw motor!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I see you have a craftsman saw. I don't know the specifics about your saw, but I would (as others have suggested), check the belt tension. I would also check the voltage on your line. I see that you have what appears to be a 110v saw. Could you check to see you have the proper voltage and check the draw of the saw? Is the motor heating up? remove the belts and see if the bearings are spinning freely. Those are just a few things I would look at.
Hi John,
Process of elimination is called for here, IMHO. When you say it's slowing down, are you referring to the motor or the blade. If it's the blade, then you have either a belt problem (tension?) or the blade is dull / dirty. The fact that you tried a brand new blade would lead me to the tension.
If the motor is slowing down and not just the blade, check to make sure it's clean and that all areas that collect sawdust have been vacuumed or blown out. If that's all done, then it sounds like a bearing problem, either on the arbor or the motor, or the motor is wearing out and needs to be looked at. (I'm no electrical guy. I've changed brushes but that's about it.)
Good luck!
Kell
Typically I listen to the tone of the engine to determine whether I need to feed slower. So if it sounds like its slowing down, I feed slower (and the motor USUALLY speeds back up).
But lately, no matter how slow I'm feeding, the motor is slowing down. I will add "blow out motor" to the list.
I'm assuming that whatever the problem is, it just needs a tweaking to get back to normal. Hopefully nothing has gone out on it, but I think the warrenty does have 1 or 2 months left.
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
Loose belt, or glazed belt are by far the most likely. Possible bad connection somewhere or undersized wire causing voltage loss. If the motor has a start winding, it is possible that the motor isn't switching from the start winding to the main winding, but they burn out pretty quick when that happens.
I don't know whether a bad capacitor would cause a motor to lose power. In my experience bad capacitors caused the motor not to run, but it's only happened a couple of times.
Michael R
Next time you use it, after you turn it off, unplug it and feel for heat at any connection points. A bad connection will usually cause a lot of heat where you are getting a lot of resistance through a bad connection. Are you running through a long externtion cord? It sounds like you may not be getting enough amps to the motor.
Are you running through a long externtion cord? It sounds like you may not be getting enough amps to the motor.
Ironically, in its powerful days, it was running on a 100', 12ga extension cord. Now its on a 25', 12ga.jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
And the results are....
I didn't have time to be systematic (ie try fix #1 and then test it, try fix #2 and then test it...etc), but here is what I did:
Blew out the motor (as in saw dust), checked the belt (looked ok), tightened the belt, switched back to the 100' cord I'd been using last summer, switched the 20 amp circuit I was feeding from.
As soon as I switched it on I could tell a difference. Much throatier roar to it than it has been lately. Made a few test cuts on scraps just to make sure. Reasonable feed speed, no burn marks, no discernable decrease in blade speed during cut. Nice smooth cut.
Yup! We're back in business! (attached pics are of 1.25" scraps).
Thanks for all the suggestions, that did the trick!jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
100' cord? One hundred feet?
Nooooooo, John. Get a shorter cord.. and make sure it's rated for the amps you're pulling. It should be thick.
And by short I mean no longer than 25 feet. 15' is better.
A hundred foot cord that's meant to power a weed eater is robbing your TS of power.
Bill
John,
You may want to check that 25 foot cord for shorts. Sounds like the big switch was from 100 to 25 and back to 100 foot cord. Might be something going on with that shorter extension cord.
Scott
That is the same TS I have. I bought mine about three years ago and have never had a problem.
When I bought my saw I also purchased the extended service agreement which included annual service from a Craftsman technician.
If you didn't buy the service agreement you can still schedule a service call.
It sounds to me like you have a power drain problem. You can rewire that motor to 220 and it's probably a good idea to do so.
Of course that will mean hiring an electrician to wire 220 to your shop but I really think you'd be happy switching over.
Good luck..
Bill
Of course that will mean hiring an electrician to wire 220 to your shop but I really think you'd be happy switching over.
Since day one with the ts, I've been thinking about running a 220 line, but I keep telling myself that I want to MOVE. Somewhere where I could have a regular workshop... where the ts wouldnt' have to be mobile.jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
JT8,
I doubt that it is the electrical supply because the breaker should have tripped before all that. You said that it is a 3 horse saw . your saw has a 1.5 horse motor. Also does the motor have a breaker on it. That certiantly ought to have poped. I suspect the belt is loose, or a key fell out of a pulley.
Good luck
Mike
You may want to check the pulleys. It's possible one has stripped the key and is rotating when pressure is put on the blade. There could also be belt problems as others have said. It could be stretched out. If it ran OK on the power in the past, it may not be that issue but cords can get damaged. I've seen some that were down to two or three strands from wrapping them around your arm, pulling on the cord and not the plug end or added on plug ends coming loose. Might as well look at the easy stuff first. If none of the easy stuff is a problem, you may need some motor work.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
John,
I recently experience a similar problem with my Delta planer. It turned out to be build-up in the bushings. Once they were removed, the area cleanded, the planer ran according to spec. One electric motor rebuilder told me that this is the most common reason for power loss next to loose belts.
Doug
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