Knocking on Dewalt

[Scrolling Days]

I've got a relatively new (5 months) 20" Dewalt which has been producing some soft knocking noises recently, particularly when run at the slowest speeds. The saw is still working great and there is no vibration.

Has anyone else encountered this? Might this be a sign of an underlying problem?

Thanks.

[JohnB]

G'day Shawn,
Check out Rick's site. He has some good fixes for Dewalts. I had the same problem and his tips fixed mine.
Good luck
Rick's Scrollsaw

[scrollpup]

Shawn, I just got one also and mine is the same way .

Thanks John,I'll check that out after I get back from the Texas shin ding (theres no hurry on remedying the knock right now.The wife said I couldn't take it with us on our mini vacation ).

Jerry c

[Scrolling Days]

Thanks for the link, John! Here is what Rick had to say on his website:

Stopping the knock on the Dewalt: I too experienced this knocking noise when I turned my speed above 5. There is an easy fix for this problem, and should only take you 10 to 15 minutes to accomplish. The problem is the tensioning rod is slapping the upper arm housing. Take your manual with the exploded drawing of the upper arm and table and follow these instructions. Loosen and remove the on/off switch assembly (four Torx bolts). this will give you access to the cam that adjusts the tension #26. With an allen key remove bolt #52 and cam #26. Remove four Torx holding the head assembly #44. This will give you access to the tensioning rod #24. It needs to be adjusted, but to do so you need to move the head assembly out from the arm. this will then drop down allowing free access to the tensioning rod. The tensioning rod screws into a fitting #23 buried deep inside the saw arm. to remove the knocking noise you need to adjust the tensioning rod #24 counter clockwise (lengthens the assembly). Try one full turn, re-assemble and see if it solves the problem. If not repeat this procedure in one full turn increments until the knocking goes away. It only took one full turn to solve my knocking problem. My saw now works like a charm, and it was a quick and easy free fix. I hope this helps.

____________________

That seems kind of scary! I don't know what to make of the fact that his knocking was occuring at the highest speed and mine at the lowest speed, but if it continues maybe I'll give this a shot.....maybe.

[miniwoodworker]

A FWIW...

Make sure your blade is properly tensioned. A few times I've failed to put enough tension on the blade. The change in sound from the DeWalt told me to increase it. I don't know if this is the same "knocking" sound you've heard, so experiment a bit to see if tensioning is a factor.

Hope this helps.

[Tom J.]

Given that this knocking problem seems to be quit common, you would think Dewalt would look at their assembly process. But then if everyone fixes it themselves I guess Dewalt won't bother.

When I got my new saw I went with the Excalibur so I don't have this problem.

Tom