Diagnose 7 1/4" worm drive SkilSaw

[El Cazador]

Do the switches on the 7 1/4" worm drive Skilsaws go out? I looked at it and it seems so simple a failure there seems unlikely. So what else else might explain the failure to run? Thanks for any help.
Vic
Redlands, CA

 

[KLF]

Yes, the switches do fail inside. You can replace just that part.

Did you look at the brushes on the motor?

 

[El Cazador]

I just put an ohm meter to the switch and it seems fine. I've never looked at the brushes, on anything, but will go there now. Honestly, I don't know what I'm looking for. What exactly AM I looking for??


Vic

 

[D'Animal]

You cut your concrete with it, didn't you?


Make sure the thermal switch did not engage. Some have a reset button.


Also make sure you did not snap a circuit breaker.


If you used a cheap 12 gauge extension cord designed for christmas tree lights, you can brown out a motor pretty easy under a load.

 

[Kief]

Switch, cord, windings and then all the mechanical. You are actually supposed to put gear oil in them and change the original stuff after so many hours...

 

[D'Animal]

I think this is his problem

https://forum.ih8mud.com/workshops-tools-home-improvement/248900-cutting-concrete.html

Switch, cord, windings and then all the mechanical. You are actually supposed to put gear oil in them and change the original stuff after so many hours...

 

[Toyo FJ40]

Concrete dust can grind up the brushes pretty fast.

 

[El Cazador]

LOL, no I DID NOT cut the concrete with it. I rented a walk-behind concrete saw. Like butter. Heavy so-and-so though.
Took out the brushes and they're clean, so far as I can tell. I'll pick around inside and see what I come up with. Thanks for the help.
Vic

 

[D'Animal]

So what were you cutitng when it failed?


The last three circular saws I smoked were done so by cutting horse stall rubber matting. My Dewalt lasted the longest.

 

[KLF]

I have one of those big Skil worm-drive saws, and that sucker will cut thru anything (although I wouldn't use it for concrete). I actually got mine for free, a buddy tossed it into the trash when he couldn't get the blade off. It never dawned on him that the bolt holding the blade on was left-hand thread. He actually snapped the shaft that holds the blade in the gearbox. I was actually able to order the replacement parts from Sears, it works great now.

But it draws some serious current, you have to be careful to feed it properly. If the circuit or extension cord isn't up to the task, you can burn out the windings in the motor. If you can get to the armature, test for open circuits across where the brushes. Look for burnt insulation or arced areas.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Best saw for framing . A switch or brushes maybe cord. Mike

 

[nate-gk]

you can cut concrete with a skillsaw I have a 7 1/4 and the 8 1/4 and they work fine. hardie siding mucks them up a bit.

try taking the contacts out they are under the plastic covers on the sides towards the back. if they are real short replace them. also try taking the handle apart and just connect the wires to a live wire to bypass the switch and see if its broke.

 

[El Cazador]

Problem solved. Guy had a new one in a box still not opened and I bought it for $95. I'll tinker around with the old one to see if I can fix it. If not, no big deal.

 

[Kief]

NO WAY MAN!! You started this now you got to finish!!!

 

[jessewmcgregor]

i have had many skill brand worm drive saws and still have most. they are hard to kill the switch should cost about 13$ and brushes about 9$ very very easy fixs. from there check the cord they go bad most often. if the saw were dying you would know it, they dont go quietly

 

[El Cazador]

jessewmcgregor was right. It was the cord. Should have put the ohm meter on it but it never occurred to me that a cord would fail. First for me. Runs fine now.

 

[D'Animal]

Congrats for following through with you project!

 

[El Cazador]

yeah, and now I have two saws. One for each hand I guess. Now if I could only finish off the Cruiser.