g

03/11/2006 7:18 AM

Table saw questions

Hi
I am an amatuer woofworker and I currently have a 10" Sears table saw
with a problem. The pully on the arbor frequently slides off the arbor
and it is a real nuisance to replace. Last night it was really bad. It
stayed on for one cut and then slid off. Happened three times. Note
that the original belt was replaced some time back with a link belt.
When I replace the pully on the arbor I take care that it is aligned
and the set screw is tightened to the key. Not sure what else to do.
Any suggestions.

On a related note I am thinking of upgrading, possibly to a cabinet
saw, or at least a better contractors saw. Remeber, I am an occasional,
amatuer and the saw would not get heavy use but I want something
accurate, reliable and easy to maintain. Suggestions are solicited and
welcome.


This topic has 18 replies

bb

"brianlanning"

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 7:27 AM

[email protected] wrote:
> I am an amatuer woofworker and I currently have a 10" Sears table saw
> with a problem. The pully on the arbor frequently slides off the arbor
> and it is a real nuisance to replace. Last night it was really bad. It
> stayed on for one cut and then slid off. Happened three times. Note
> that the original belt was replaced some time back with a link belt.
> When I replace the pully on the arbor I take care that it is aligned
> and the set screw is tightened to the key. Not sure what else to do.
> Any suggestions.

Is the set screw vibrating loose or is the pulley slipping off the
arbor? You might want to try some lock-tite on the set screw to see if
the pulley stays in place. Alternatively, you could drill a shallow
hole in the arbor for the set screw to screw into. That would stop it
from slipping.

> On a related note I am thinking of upgrading, possibly to a cabinet
> saw, or at least a better contractors saw. Remeber, I am an occasional,
> amatuer and the saw would not get heavy use but I want something
> accurate, reliable and easy to maintain. Suggestions are solicited and
> welcome.

grizzly.com

brian

RN

"RayV"

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 7:28 AM


[email protected] wrote:
> Hi
> I am an amatuer woofworker and I currently have a 10" Sears table saw
> with a problem. The pully on the arbor frequently slides off the arbor
> and it is a real nuisance to replace. Last night it was really bad. It
> stayed on for one cut and then slid off. Happened three times. Note
> that the original belt was replaced some time back with a link belt.
> When I replace the pully on the arbor I take care that it is aligned
> and the set screw is tightened to the key. Not sure what else to do.
> Any suggestions.
>
Are you saying that the set screw tightens against the key on the arbor
shaft?

If so, the key may be angled slightly so that the screw is actually
wedging the pulley off, check this.
Also:
Make sure the bottom of the set screw is flat -file or sand if needed
The key or point on shaft that screw tightens against should be flat -
file if needed
Ensure everything is clean and oil/grease free

Removable loctite make cure the problem but may make it difficult to
remove the screw later but that is its purpose.

g

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 8:13 AM

Thanks all for the advice and quick response.

g

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 8:14 AM


Ron

Thanks for your response and good advice.

g

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 8:14 AM


Ron

Thanks for your response and good advice.

g

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 8:27 AM


Thanks Mike

It is a model 113, about 10 years old.

dd

"dpb"

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 9:19 AM


[email protected] wrote:
...
> [table saw] with a problem. The pully ... frequently slides off ....

Read the other responses so far which all seem to concentrate on the
set screw -- I expect that's the wrong place to look unless the threads
are stripped in which case you need the same solution I'm going to
suggest... :)

I expect the real problem is it was/is an inexpensive "pot-metal" cast
pulley that wasn't ever very true and owing to having run loose the
bore is "hogged out" so that it will not (and most importantly _can_
not be) tightened and retain its tightness under load.

You need to replace the pulley, preferably w/ a machined one, but at
least w/ a new replacement that will have a true and accurate diameter
bore. If you're careful to ensure it is tight periodically, even
another cast will probably last quite some time unless the shaft is now
also worn excessively, but in general, the shafts are sufficiently
harder than the pulley they rarely are too bad.

I don't have any particular recommendations for contractor/light-duty
saws since have no experience w/ them altho Grizzly routinely seem to
get high marks from the price-conscious crowd and support/service are
apparently good...as I noted recently (after suddenly having realized
the fact w/ some self-surprise :) ), I'm such an old fogey all these
reasonable quality imports are beyond since I last bought a stationary
machine so don't have a reference point.

g

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 10:36 AM


Mike
You made a reasonable assumption but it wasn't true. I should have
gotton machined pulleys. I didn't. I will. Thanks all for advice.

g

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 10:36 AM


Mike
You made a reasonable assumption but it wasn't true. I should have
gotton machined pulleys. I didn't. I will. Thanks all for advice.

MM

"Mike Marlow"

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 1:20 PM


"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>
> I expect the real problem is it was/is an inexpensive "pot-metal" cast
> pulley that wasn't ever very true and owing to having run loose the
> bore is "hogged out" so that it will not (and most importantly _can_
> not be) tightened and retain its tightness under load.
>
> You need to replace the pulley, preferably w/ a machined one, but at
> least w/ a new replacement that will have a true and accurate diameter
> bore. If you're careful to ensure it is tight periodically, even
> another cast will probably last quite some time unless the shaft is now
> also worn excessively, but in general, the shafts are sufficiently
> harder than the pulley they rarely are too bad.

This is really very true. I concentrated on the set screw because the OP
stated that he had gone to a link belt and I assumed he also went with a
good quality pulley at the same time. Maybe a rash assumption.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

MM

"Mike Marlow"

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 11:16 AM


<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi
> I am an amatuer woofworker and I currently have a 10" Sears table saw
> with a problem. The pully on the arbor frequently slides off the arbor
> and it is a real nuisance to replace. Last night it was really bad. It
> stayed on for one cut and then slid off. Happened three times. Note
> that the original belt was replaced some time back with a link belt.
> When I replace the pully on the arbor I take care that it is aligned
> and the set screw is tightened to the key. Not sure what else to do.
> Any suggestions.

I have had this same problem and here's what I've done. First - clean up
your arbor shaft. Typically the shaft gets scared up a bit from this
problem and a light lick with a file to smooth everything down nice again is
in order. Obviously, don't set about to file off lots of steel - just clean
up the shaft. As well - put a new key in. Likely the surface of the key is
gouged from the set screw.

Then - get a new set screw. Set screws do not have an indefinate life.
They rely on a pretty small contact point in order to really hold and after
they've been loosened and tightened a few times the end flattens out. After
that they don't bite as they should.


>
> On a related note I am thinking of upgrading, possibly to a cabinet
> saw, or at least a better contractors saw. Remeber, I am an occasional,
> amatuer and the saw would not get heavy use but I want something
> accurate, reliable and easy to maintain. Suggestions are solicited and
> welcome.
>

What model saw do you currently have? This problem is fairly common on the
Model 100 which is a great saw other than this problem. Get past it and you
really have a very good saw there, if that's the saw you have.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

l

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

04/11/2006 12:00 AM

In article <[email protected]>,
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hi
>I am an amatuer woofworker and I currently have a 10" Sears table saw
>with a problem. The pully on the arbor frequently slides off the arbor
>and it is a real nuisance to replace. Last night it was really bad. It
>stayed on for one cut and then slid off. Happened three times. Note
>that the original belt was replaced some time back with a link belt.
>When I replace the pully on the arbor I take care that it is aligned
>and the set screw is tightened to the key. Not sure what else to do.
>Any suggestions.
>
>On a related note I am thinking of upgrading, possibly to a cabinet
>saw, or at least a better contractors saw. Remeber, I am an occasional,
>amatuer and the saw would not get heavy use but I want something
>accurate, reliable and easy to maintain. Suggestions are solicited and
>welcome.
>

I guess you have already checked the condition of the pulley including
the arbor shaft bore, and the arbor itself, and made sure that the
pulley slides onto the arbor snugly? (Is that a word?) How about
alignment of arbor & motor shafts? Are they parallel? Did you remove
the set screw completely from the pulley? Sometimes there are 2, one
under the other. With the pulley removed from the arbor, are you able
to turn the setscrew far enough so that its end pokes into the bore?

Let us know what you find.

--
Often wrong, never in doubt.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore, Maryland - [email protected]

sD

[email protected] (Doug Miller)

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 3:26 PM

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>Hi
>I am an amatuer woofworker and I currently have a 10" Sears table saw
>with a problem. The pully on the arbor frequently slides off the arbor
>and it is a real nuisance to replace. Last night it was really bad. It
>stayed on for one cut and then slid off. Happened three times. Note
>that the original belt was replaced some time back with a link belt.
>When I replace the pully on the arbor I take care that it is aligned
>and the set screw is tightened to the key. Not sure what else to do.
>Any suggestions.

Take the pulley off and look for marks made by the set screw on the shaft. If
you don't see any, that means the set screw isn't doing its job. There might
be some burrs on the set screw, or on the tapped hole it goes into, that
increase the friction and make you think that it's tight when it's not. So
examine the threads on the screw and on the hole carefully for any signs of
damage.

Re-tap the hole, and replace the screw, if necessary.

Try using Loctite on the screw threads before reassembling, then wait a while
(instructions will be on the package) before using the saw. Use the blue
Loctite -- you just want to keep the screw from coming out by itself, you
don't want to make it impossible to remove.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

MM

"Mike Marlow"

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 5:11 PM


<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Mike
> You made a reasonable assumption but it wasn't true. I should have
> gotton machined pulleys. I didn't. I will. Thanks all for advice.
>

Well advised. Do a favor - post back with an update after you install them.
Many will be interested in how you make out.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

RH

Roger Haar

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 10:02 AM

Hi,

One way a pulley can get loose quickly is that the set screws are not
quite lined up with the flat on the shaft. Things will seem tight, but
in use the pulley will rotate a few degrees on the shaft and the set
screws will be loose. Sometimes this can be a real pain to get right. I
start with the screws a bit loose, and rotate the pulley on the shaft,
slowly tightening the setscrews so that the pulley only rotates maybe
ten degrees. Then I center the setscrews on the this free rotation.

Good luck,
Roger Haar

****************************************

[email protected] wrote:
> Hi
> I am an amatuer woofworker and I currently have a 10" Sears table saw
> with a problem. The pully on the arbor frequently slides off the arbor
> and it is a real nuisance to replace. Last night it was really bad. It
> stayed on for one cut and then slid off. Happened three times. Note
> that the original belt was replaced some time back with a link belt.
> When I replace the pully on the arbor I take care that it is aligned
> and the set screw is tightened to the key. Not sure what else to do.
> Any suggestions.
>
> On a related note I am thinking of upgrading, possibly to a cabinet
> saw, or at least a better contractors saw. Remeber, I am an occasional,
> amatuer and the saw would not get heavy use but I want something
> accurate, reliable and easy to maintain. Suggestions are solicited and
> welcome.
>

RS

"Rick Samuel"

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 7:06 PM


> Are you saying that the set screw tightens against the key on the arbor
> shaft?
>
Ensure everything is clean and oil/grease free
>
> Removable loctite make cure the problem but may make it difficult to
> remove the screw later but that is its purpose.
>

If the shaft shows no marks from set screw, look for two set screws, stacked
up.

sD

[email protected] (Doug Miller)

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

04/11/2006 1:49 PM

In article <[email protected]>, "Rick Samuel"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Are you saying that the set screw tightens against the key on the arbor
>> shaft?
>>
> Ensure everything is clean and oil/grease free
>>
>> Removable loctite make cure the problem but may make it difficult to
>> remove the screw later but that is its purpose.
>>
>
>If the shaft shows no marks from set screw, look for two set screws, stacked
>up.

*There* is a tip for the files.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Rr

"RonB"

in reply to [email protected] on 03/11/2006 7:18 AM

03/11/2006 9:36 AM

Some of the regulars will probably say "Here he is again." but if you decide
to upgrade take a look at Grizzly. My experience with two of their saws:

1) I have owned a 1023s Cabinet saw for about five years. I think it is as
good as anything on the market under $1,700-1,800 - Including Unisaw. Lots
of power, good accuracy and the stock Shop Fox Classic Fence is great. With
shipping you can still get one for a little over $1,000.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G1023S

2) We recently helped our son finish a house in SW Missouri. He purchased a
Grizzly G0444Z with the Aluminum version of the Classic fence. I gave it a
pretty good workout ripping hundreds of board feet of Oak and cutting many
sheets of MDF and Oak veneer plywood, not to mention a lot of laminate
flooring. The 2hp motor never strained and we got good cuts. I still
prefer my old Iron Classic fence but the aluminum version is a good choice
too.

Griz has good customer service and anything I have ordered has been
delivered within a few days. The 1023 arrived, on dock, 36 hours after
internet order.

RonB


You’ve reached the end of replies