You stand at workbench, ready to make a crosscut using your DeWalt table saw, and reach for height adjustment knob. The motor start, but blade remains locked. It’s a familiar frustration among woodworkers; however, it typicaly doesn’t signal the death of your tool.
More often then not, a basic mechanical bind occur and you’ll be back cutting again soon enough if you’re patient. Maybe you installed something to tightly? Maybe some junk got in there?
Quick Fixes For Stuck Table Saw Blades
Understanding Trunnion Mechanics
Knowing how trunnion works makes this a snap. Also, never twist or try to force it up. The gears in that trunnion housing is either nylon or aluminum and they are not as strong than steel gears.
If you force them, it will strip the gears in there. Just a little tenderness go a long way when using this tool. Inspect the arbor.
Inspecting the Arbor and Washer
Inspecting the arbor and its washer for blade should be the first step. The washer for the blade should be flush when installing a new blade. Twisting the washer make it bind on either the spindle or the arbor nut.
That result in a mechanical lock that feel as if your elevation system has been jammed. Take whole blade off and check your washer. Make sure it is flat and then tighten the arbor nut by hand before attempting another adjustment of height.
Cleaning the Rack and Pinion
Dust from the table saw, whether it’s fine particulate or a buildup of dust and pitch; can be an issue. Fine dust accumulate between rack and pinion system. This is critical for controlling the blade height.
Because teeth on the rack accumulate dust and pitch, they interfere with proper engagement of the pinion gear. You may feel like you are turning the knob but the blade won’t go anywhere. Use a vacuum and stiff brush to clean all the way around where the rack travel.
Checking the Elevating Knob
Using a dry lubricant will allow gears to move freely. Next check the locking lever and elevating knob. In some DeWalts, there is a set screw that can becomes loose in the knob shaft causing it to slip.
The knob turn but the torque never reaches gear. Look at the set screw on the rear of the knob. Is it loose?
Use an Allen wrench to tighten it. If threads are stripped out, remove the knob and install a new one. It’s cheap.
Adjusting Trunnion Bolts
Also check out trunnion bolts. The trunnion hold the assembly in position. You don’t want it so tight that it binds in the table and won’t move up and down smoothly.
Just loosen them slightly so it can moves freely. Then raise the blade to where you want it and tighten the bolts again. That will keep the assembly in place but not restrict its movement.
Inspecting the Blade Guard
Last but not least, inspect the blade guard. This can actualy prevent the blade from being raised due to a poorly aligned or tangled up guard. Remove the guard and lift the blade up.
If it freely raises then it was the guard. Either align or replace the guard. Cleaning all of the parts will allow for smooth operation and safe use of your saw.
It could of been more easy if you lubed it first.