Thread: Did I fry my table saw?

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Hey guys-
I have a 10" Craftsman Table saw- owned it for years, she's done good for me. I was just cutting some 1" blue foam, and in the middle of the cut, it made a LOUD grinding noise, the blade slowed WAY down and started vibrating. I immediately shut it down. I don't see any obstructions around the blade at all.

Now- when I turn it on, it vibrates heavily, makes a loud bussing/grinding noise, and the blade spins very slow- to where it wouldn't cut the foam even if I tried. After about 5 seconds, it blows the surge protector it's plugged into.

I've never had any problems with this- certainly not with blue foam. It's fairly old- not sure if I fried it and need to just replace it? Or is there an easy fix?

I know it's hard without seeing it- but any ideas are VERY appreciated!
Thanks!

Sounds like the gears inside the saw are not meshing up properly.

huh. So is this an easy fix? Or, do I need to buy a new one? If so, any recommendations? I'd like one with more than 26" side capacity...

Look again at where the blade is. It might have a build up of melted foam around it somewhere. Maybe even around the shaft itself.
Unplug it before doing this. Also try to move the blade by hand. If it moves free it's probably a motor issue. Does it have a belt drive?
It could be something in the belt.
Also try taking the blade off and start it up without a blade....

Took the blade off, same thing happens. Loud bussing noise, vibration, and then it stops when it throws the circuit. The blade wouldn't move freely when it was on. Seems like it's something in the motor. I don't think it's belt driven.

Any ideas?
Thanks guys!

Nope- NOT a belt drive, from what I see. All a self-contained motor. So, either I replace the motor, or, buy a new machine it seems like. Right? Thoughts???

Well, at $141 for a replacement motor- I think I'd rather buy a brand new saw. Any recommendations? How frustrating- always when money is the tightest, and no time left to deal with setbacks like this!

Craftsman? Lifetime Warantee/Guarantee?
I think I'd try for that...They might give you a new one...

inbetween halloween props I am an amateur woodworker and I own a Delta contractor's saw - I would say it is one step up from the Craftsman. I have owned it for almost 20 yrs now and beat the crap out of it and it still works great. However, I will warn you that when you see the price of a new table saw the $150 for a new motor may seem like a good deal. You will probably have to spend about $600 to get the saw, a decent blade and a good fence. I bought mine here locally in the Phx area at Timber Woodworking. They sell used stuff as well so you might get lucky.

Oh yeah! I used to know the owner's kid of that place! It's in Mesa, right?

Now- will Craftsman honor a warranty on power tools like that? I got this as a gift, so I don't have a receipt. I thought lifetime warranty applies to HAND tools- not power tools. If that's the case, then heck yeah!