Where is I? Heck if I know. Although I had what I call fun a few weeks back. I had lent out my table saw and a few days later they said “we need to buy you a new table saw. Yours is broken now.” They don’t really know me. I replied “Awe shucks, gee golly. The saw died doing what it loved doing. What a way to go!” Really, the saw was over 20 years old. Still, they needed a saw to finish their project so they bought one. And when finished they gave it to me. Now, if they knew me, they would’ve known that while they were purchasing another saw, I had mine completely apart – to diagnose what was wrong. It turned out the motor got too hot and melted a part that directs the flow of air over the fan motor armature to keep it cool. After removing the melted nylon part, I realized that JB Weld (plastic epoxy) would fix it right up. That’s exactly what happened over the next couple of days. Table saw repaired!
But I thought, “what if something else happens to the motor?” which sent me down a rabbit hole. I searched for a new/used motor and was stunned by the cost. Most motors ran about $200 with some almost $400. Geesh! No way was I going to spend that much when a new table could be had for around $150. I started looking at various online websites like craigslist and offerup. Sure enough, found a few compatible saws that used the same motor as mine. Even bought one for $15. Took it apart because the motor wasn’t working. Turned out to be a bearing. After replacing the bad bearings, the used saw was now working. And I had a replacement motor. This was about the most fun I’ve had in years. I love taking things apart to hopefully repair them. Learning how everything worked and the process of repair is so invigorating, the knowledge I gain is worth all the time I spent. It encouraged me to purchase a new carburetor for my chainsaw that was giving me problems. And yes, that now works as well. Although I had to hide that repair because I’m in California and I should be using battery/electric operated chainsaws. Oh well.
Be safe and stay cool.
ceej
