Thread: Hitchachi drop saw, brake going

g'day bodgy, is it the 10fch? I ask because not long after I bought mine the brake started working only intermittently. I took it back to the shop for repair but it seems to have made little difference.
Cheers
Michael

Originally Posted by mic-d

g'day bodgy, is it the 10fch? I ask because not long after I bought mine the brake started working only intermittently. I took it back to the shop for repair but it seems to have made little difference.
Cheers
Michael

Yep, with the Laser thingy.

Did the shop say what might be the cause? I'm buggered if I'm taking it anywhere, so if it can't be fixed with a pair of multi grips and a big lump hammer, then I'll put up with it.

Shame cause otherwise its a great saw. 90 degrees = 90 degrees.

Bodgy,

I'm not familiar with the Hitachi saw at all, but a common braking arrangement is to use the on/off switch to short out the motor in the off position. Check that you are fully releasing the switch.

If you feel confident, you could attempt to clean the switch with some form of contact cleaner. (All the usual provisos apply- unplug it first, etc.)

shop didn't say what the cause was sorry. Like you I couldn't be buggered taking it back another time. I find if you pulse the trigger it will often kick the brake on. Sorry I can't help more.

Cheers
Michael

Oh, and another point...

If it is the switch, it is worthwhile pointing out that electrical switches are best operated positively/confidently. None of this gently squeeze it, gentle let it off business - sharply on, sharply off is best. Switching slowly promotes arcing and shortens the life of the switch.

Thanks Chris and Mic, I'll have a go tommorow at the switch. Maybe just another blow job will do it.

Hi,

I have the Hitachi 12LCH drop saw - same saw just bigger blade & motor. I had the same problem with mine. Just blow out the dust with compressor making sure that the air is dry (no water). Also as Chrisp mentioned open up the switch compartment (Power cord disconnected!), clean any dust which has found its way in, and spray some contact cleaner on the main switch. All is good now. BTW, a new switch would set you back ~$50. You need to clean out the motor housing fairly regularly so that dust doesn't get caught on the carbon brush contacts.

Hope this helps. I agree the saw is very accurate & 200mm crosscut is more than enough when you also have a table saw.

As advised, I took the switch housing apart and blew it out. I was surprised that it had very little dust in it.

Anyway, I reassembled and the brake now works again.

Obviously a design fault, you'd expect a wood saw to get a bit of dust wouldn't you.

Didn't have any contact cleaner (to be honest I've never heard of it).

Thanks for advice, guys