radial arm saw

[qaztwo]

have an older, late 70's craftsman RAS that stopped working today. Was cutting some wood and then nothing. Reset button never tripped, nor the braker to the garage. Opened up the cover and blew out everything still no luck. Will check for voltage when my volt meter finds its way back to me. Has any one had this happen to them.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: radial arm saw

I had it happen to mine once after making multiple rough cuts with a blade that was a bit past its life expectancy. I thought I'd killed it! But after waiting 15 to 20 minutes, the reset button did the trick and all is still fine. It was simply overheated and the reset wouldn't respond at first until things cooled down. So I'd certainly try that again first before you take anything apart.<br /><br />Beyond that, I'll be of little help. Good luck!

 

[tommays]

Re: radial arm saw

on a saw that age it would not supprise me if the curly-q wire going to the motor had failed so check it with the meter.<br /><br /> there is a Centrifugal switch inside the motor on the left side depending on the exact model ,it failed on my saw and required some tinkering<br /><br />the switch allows the capacitor to start the motor then it gets up to speed this switch opens.<br /><br /><br />if you check for electric with your meter and power is getting to the motor this can stop it from running.<br /><br />the capacitor can go bad also but its pretty rare.<br /><br />if you go to sears on the net and put in your info you should be able to bring up a diagram of the motor that will show you how the parts are in there.<br /><br /> http://www3.sears.com/ <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[qaztwo]

Re: radial arm saw

I know I need to check voltage, but like all tools it got loaned out never to be returned. Going to have to stop doing that.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: radial arm saw

The main power switch can also be a factor here as well. If you can't find your meter, borrow someone else's. Heck, it may end up being yours!

 

[ae708]

Re: radial arm saw

Buy a new meter... they're cheap. Nobody should be without a multimeter.

 

[llfish]

Re: radial arm saw

You may have lost a brush.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: radial arm saw

Did you try plugging it in?<br /> <br /><br />Sorry, I just think it's funny how that always seems to appear first in 'troubleshooting hints'.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: radial arm saw

Well I checked the common things for voltage and every thing check good except the capacitor. I thought the motor would humm if there was a bad cap, also you could start by spinning the blade.<br />Will replace when i can find a new one, but I have a feeling theres something else.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: radial arm saw

Yeah it's always a good idea to try to spin up a saw blade by hand. <br /><br />Careful. <br /><br />My sears radial arm saw is about that vintage. If you need me to do any comparitive testing with a working model let me know.