I've been using an older Craftsman 113 10 inch 2 HP Direct Drive Table Saw, and after ripping a couple of 6-foot 1x8s, it started smoking. I turned it off and the smoke stopped, but the motor was extremely hot. After checking, there was very little sawdust around the motor. I used compressed air to blow out some dust, but it started smoking again almost immediately after I turned it back on. The smoke has an odd mix of electrical and plastic smells along with hints of sawdust. Does anyone know what might be causing this issue? Is there a way to fix it? I'm looking for any advice!
1 Answer
First off, check if the motor turns easily by hand. If it's tough to turn, there might be some worn bearings causing extra strain on the motor. Also, listen for any rattling or grinding sounds. If it spins smoothly, the brushes in the motor might be worn out and could need replacing. And don’t forget, if your blade is dull, it can lead to overheating too! Even though the motor smokes without cutting, it still matters when you're using it.
The motor turns easily, so I’ll check the brushes. Good call! I think I need to inspect the back cover and see what I find. I know the blade is dull, but if the motor is smoking while running just by itself, I wonder how bad that is.