smoking chop saw - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

GRMhick · 07-08-2004, 11:53 PM

I have a cheap HF chop saw. It still cuts, but billows smoke like crazy. plus the smoke stinks. Are there any cheap options to get it working again (without smoke) other than trashing it for a new one? What causes the motor to smoke?

XtremeJ · 07-09-2004, 09:54 AM

Brushes full of metal crap?

Bearings shot? - any loud noises?

How much cutting slag is there trapped within the blade guard? Mine builds up an needs to be removed every 4 or 5 blade changes.

Does the smoke smell electrical? Or more metallic?

trainrech · 07-09-2004, 01:39 PM

That is the "magic smoke". It can either be expended in a big puff - instantenous demise, or smaller puffs like you are experiencing. Eventually you will run out of magic smoke and your saw will work no longer.

GRMhick · 07-09-2004, 03:24 PM

It sounds like bearings... and the smoke.. its enough that i cant stand in the garage, and its billowing out liek the garage is up in a ball of flames.

Anything I can do? Or maybe a cheap motor that I can put in there?

Groundwork · 07-09-2004, 04:47 PM

contrary to popular belief moters run on smoke, the electricity just activates it, If the smoke gets out the moter won't run anymore

OverThrottle · 07-09-2004, 07:08 PM

Usually the smoke is from overheating, causing the enamal on the windinds to melt (and smoke). As the enamal melts off the windings begin to short into each other, and the motor's performance drops and the heating problem increases. Short of a new motor there is probably not much you can do. If it is a HF saw, it probably isn't worth the replacement of a quality motor. You could either replace the saw with the same model, or sack up and buy a quality unit.

NOODLES · 07-09-2004, 09:02 PM

take the plastic cover off of the motor on the left side, there will be 2 screws that came loose. also look at the brushes, ones will be worn more than the other.
mine did it in less than 10 uses on good power supply.

07-08-2004, 11:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
GRMhick Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 87 Location: I live in hotels tear out the walls I have accountants pay for it all Posts: 7,207	smoking chop saw I have a cheap HF chop saw. It still cuts, but billows smoke like crazy. plus the smoke stinks. Are there any cheap options to get it working again (without smoke) other than trashing it for a new one? What causes the motor to smoke?

07-09-2004, 09:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
XtremeJ Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13655 Location: Redstone Canyon, CO Posts: 396	Brushes full of metal crap? Bearings shot? - any loud noises? How much cutting slag is there trapped within the blade guard? Mine builds up an needs to be removed every 4 or 5 blade changes. Does the smoke smell electrical? Or more metallic? __________________ 89 XJ, 8" lift, 38's, locked F&R 98 LR Discovery - street poser 99 F350 PSD 4x4 Jeep Tow Truck 2003 Mini Cooper S - street go-kart 2004 Subaru WRX STi - Vette eater 2005 Mini Cooper S - street go-kart on LSD Pile of tube, 383 SBC, and some buggy plans

07-09-2004, 01:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
trainrech Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21051 Location: Emporia, KS Posts: 178	That is the "magic smoke". It can either be expended in a big puff - instantenous demise, or smaller puffs like you are experiencing. Eventually you will run out of magic smoke and your saw will work no longer. __________________ '77 FJ40

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07-09-2004, 03:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
GRMhick Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 87 Location: I live in hotels tear out the walls I have accountants pay for it all Posts: 7,207	It sounds like bearings... and the smoke.. its enough that i cant stand in the garage, and its billowing out liek the garage is up in a ball of flames. Anything I can do? Or maybe a cheap motor that I can put in there?

07-09-2004, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Groundwork Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Member # 32684 Location: az Posts: 86	contrary to popular belief moters run on smoke, the electricity just activates it, If the smoke gets out the moter won't run anymore

07-09-2004, 07:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
OverThrottle Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Member # 19500 Location: Ohio Posts: 409	Usually the smoke is from overheating, causing the enamal on the windinds to melt (and smoke). As the enamal melts off the windings begin to short into each other, and the motor's performance drops and the heating problem increases. Short of a new motor there is probably not much you can do. If it is a HF saw, it probably isn't worth the replacement of a quality motor. You could either replace the saw with the same model, or sack up and buy a quality unit.

07-09-2004, 09:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
NOODLES Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3132 Location: I love jews Posts: 4,923	take the plastic cover off of the motor on the left side, there will be 2 screws that came loose. also look at the brushes, ones will be worn more than the other. mine did it in less than 10 uses on good power supply.