Problem Type: Equipment
Workspace: Woodshop
Asset: Table Saw 1 - Sawstop
Summary: Vertical crank getting too hard to turn
Additional Info: This has been getting worse over time, but the crank to raise and lower the blade is getting excessively difficult to turn (and I did check that the lock mechanism was completely loose).
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@Gem greased it this morning and gave it good cleaning. It helped, but it was still difficult to to raise and lower the saw blade. Also, he couldn’t lower the blade all the way. Al’s recommendation on the gas shock sounds like no brainer.
Perhaps we can make this a priority investigation…
Dry lube would work great for maybe a week more if the tablesaw is not used for a long period of time but in a very short period of time you would have to re-apply. It is not designed for that. I am not an expert nor an engineer, but if the manual call for grease, I belive there is a reason. Most of the machines need lubrication, (even the router lift) if you use any kind of spray lubricant, be prepared to do it quite often. As far as the sawstop, first you have to clean all the dust trapped in the mechanisms directly below the table, shop vac, a brush, or compressed air (please wear proper PPE) whatever works. If you think youre done, lift the blade all the way up and check again. Also tilt blade back and forth. If all the old grease and debris is no cleaned well on the lubricating points, the job is not going to last. I found using a stiff brush and WD40 very effective except that you have to clean the WD40 overspray. Rags work a lot better than paper towels. Reapply a thin coat of lithium grease (there should be some in the stewards closet) on all lubricating points. Tilt blade back and forth severally times and move blade up and down. Check see if you need more grease. If you do, repeat the process. Once the mechanism works fine, remove excess grease with a rag. Thats how the machine came from the factory and as experienced, last a long time. Lubrication points should be worm gears on the crank wheels and shaft attached to those. On the front and back side there is an arc about 1/2” wide that the assembly rides on. Thats the best way I can describe it. It should not be difficult to tell if you use a good flashlight where the lubrication points are. You can argue that grease attracts dust all you want, and you are right. But if properly done, the grease would only be coated with dust while still lubricating the parts. Also thats why it needs to be periodically redone. Why is happening now? I used to do this often, not only the sawstop, the wide belt sander, jointer, sometimes the band saws, and planer. When Robert started his job I did tell him that I would no longer be doing any dirty work. I still did it there after. Two months ago I did lubricate both saws but I did not clean them first (it takes time I did not have). I also did the jointer four months ago. I will no longer actively do any ghost work i used to do. Now if the blade does not go all the way down, that is not a lubrication problem, that’s an obstruction somewhere in the mechanism. Could be compacted dust, stuck debris, or simply something came appart or broke. Have a great day and sayonara!