My Dewalt is sticking

[NC Scroller]

My 4 year old Dewalt is starting to stick. What I mean is after I lift the arm it only goes back down 3/4 of the way. When it happens I have to move the arm up and down several times to get is back down all the way. It only happens once and a while but as all mechanic things do it is happening more and more often . And of coiurse I am using it a lot to prepare for a September Craft Fair. Anyone experince this? If so is there a cure?

[William Young]

Most DeWalts will start doing that sooner or later. It is common with the motor that they use. It has been referred to as "flat spot" oin the motor but it is not a defect. It just happens to stop at that so called "flat spot" occassionally .There are a couple of ways to clear it when it happens but there is no cure short of replacing the motor with a higher quality one. .

Flip the switch on and off and see if that cures it

If that doesn't work , there is a slot in the end of the motor shaft. WITH THE SAW TURNED OFF , put a screwdriver in that slot and give it a turn and it will work nomal again until the next time.

Mine used to do it quite frequently . I kept a screwdriver handy right beside the saw . It only takes a few seconds to clear a locked arm like that.
W.Y.

[morsewk]

The turning on and off has always worked for me

[Marsha]

This happens to me on occassion but in the reverse. Sometimes when I've released the blade to move to a new entry hole, I can't get the arm all the way up. I let the arm fall back down the amount that I've been able to lift it and after a couple times the arm will lift all the way. I've considered getting an easy lift for this reason. I thought that might help.
Marsha

[lucky788scroller]

The easy lift will not help with this Marsha. It is something that will happen by chance once in a while on all the Dewalts, regardless if using an easylift or not. Its a nuisance indeed, but it is not something anyone needs to scream bloody murder over.As for it happening more often, maybe its because with your september show rush, you are just using the saw more, or just noticing it more now, but I have never heard of anyone having this situation ever get worse (cept Bill). The screwdriver will do the trick, it only needs a small turn to make it free up the arm, as will the turning on and back off the switch. So, dont go throwing away a perfectly good saw because of this, its nothing to worry about.

[wwalker47]

NC Scroller-
Mine does the same and what Bill Young says is good advice and works.

Marsha-
Same here and I have the easy lift. Same answer, but I would get the easy lift any way because it will help with the blade to moving to a new entry hole.

I still like my DeWalt, tho. I'm sure what ever saw you have something will happen occasionally.

-Bill

[William Young]

Dale

As for it happening more often, maybe its because with your september show rush, you are just using the saw more, or just noticing it more now, but I have never heard of anyone having this situation ever get worse (cept Bill).

Right on the money. It is proportionate to the amount the saw is used and I used mine a lot . As far as (cept Bill) goes that doesn't wash. It happens to many others and they just don't like to admit it. Saws are not just a pretty thing to look at . The more they are used the more the shortcomings of them will show up.

I didn't say it was a bad thing . I even said it is not a defect . I merely stated facts .
And you are right ;

Its a nuisance indeed, but it is not something anyone needs to scream bloody murder over

Yes , ... a nuisance indeed but I have never heard of anybody screaming bloody murder over it.
W.Y.

[NC Scroller]

Bill, Marsh et al..... Thanks for the advise. Bill I think you did hit it on the head. Because I have been scrolling more I notice it more. I was just trying to be careful. I have been around equipment enough to know that sometime little problems lead to big problems. Glad it is not that... I have owned 2 scroll saws in my life. A Dremel and a Dewalt. I still own and use the Dremel at time but I am a Dewalt man (person) all the way. You will have to kill me to take it away.