Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 27
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default Safety Issue - DW 125 Radial Arm saw

    While working with my RAS [DeWalt 125 - actually a re-badged Tatry from Italy] it threw out my safety switch which cut all power in my shed.

    The saw was purchased in the early 80's and has never missed a beat until now. My first prediction was that perhaps there was a problem with the switch - I was wrong. My mate the Sparkie has just been - there is a "dead short" to earth, the switch is fine but when the motor cover was removed all of the wiring connecting the actual motor to the switch was bare and the housing was littered with pieces of brittle plastic insulation. I was of the understanding that this could happen with the old rubber wiring but not the plastic insulated type.

    I can't really explain how this has happened just that it has and feel that anyone with an old saw might be smart to check out their internal wiring. The actual lead to the power point is fine it is just the internal connecting wires. My motor is currently having the wires replaced, windings etc checked and hopefully will have it back next week with not too large a dent in my wallet.

    As to what could have happened to me or the motor if there had not been the safety switch - well, I guess I don't really want to go there.

    I would ask all to .........

    Check your wiring.

    Have a safety switch and ensure that it is functioning correctly.

    Regards,
    Bob

    PS If the Mods feel that this would be better placed in the Safety forum by all means go ahead.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Alexandra Vic
    Age
    69
    Posts
    2,810

    Default

    Bob, Things like this do happen very occasionally. It is why there OHS 'Test and Tag' regulations applied to worksites. For your reassurance, the fuse or circuit breaker supplying the power circuit should have tripped if there was no safety switch, provided that the balance of the fixed cabling is correct.

    However, I also acknowledge that the handle on the saw head of my DeWalt RAS is metal and part of the earth chain of the saw, so there is potential for a nasty shock if the problem were to occur in a location with defective fixed wiring.

    I firmly believe that anyone with a fairly comprehensive workshop should consider having the workshop connected via a safety switch independant of the household safety switch to make it possible to conduct the reccommended regular tests of the safety switch without the hassle of having to reset equipment right throughout the house.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    Thanks Malb,

    Shed has 3 phase, full set of circuit breakers and a safety switch. All been done professionally as I am not fond of playing with something I can't see but which can bite severely if I get it wrong.

    I would say "Electrically, I might be dumb but I'm not stupid."

    Regards,
    Bob

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    Well, just got the great[not] news.

    Not only has the insulation on the switch wires broken down but the actual motor windings are in the same condition, however there is no smell what so ever. The estimated cost is $649.00 to rewind the motor.

    Rang DeWalt in Brisbane to see if a new motor would be more economically viable - no parts available now or ever - too old.

    The machine was bought new in 1984 for $770.00 [bear in mind that these are not the same dollar values] and has always been inside and only used for hobby type work nothing commercial.

    Do I get it rewound and still have an old but very good machine which may have some unknown issues in the future [particularly as insulation breaking down certainly was not on my list of expected issues] - -or-- do I jump in and spend $1700.00 on a Kapex type of machine?

    Any thoughts?

    Regards,
    Bob

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Alexandra Vic
    Age
    69
    Posts
    2,810

    Default

    Haven't had a motor this size rewound, but we had a 5HP 3 ph from a 15 month old dusty rewound a couple of years ago for $300. Lot less copper in the RA motor, and probably fewer windings so less material and labour, but maybe more fiddley job.
    If you can afford the time, carry the motor around to a few rewinders and get quotes, you might be surprised. I am guessing that whoever quoted you will be jobbing the work out and making a good cut on the deal. If you can do the running around, I'm sure there is savings to be made.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Behind that little door under the thicknesser...
    Posts
    644

    Default

    I'd get it rewound....no question. Especially if the rest of the thing still runs straight and true. Motors are a wear part on any tool so you have to expect them to go eventually...and besides...most machines (even many DeWalt models) aren't made like this anymore.
    Ours is not to reason why.....only to point and giggle.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    523

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob38S View Post
    there is a "dead short" to earth, the switch is fine but when the motor cover was removed all of the wiring connecting the actual motor to the switch was bare and the housing was littered with pieces of brittle plastic insulation. I was of the understanding that this could happen with the old rubber wiring but not the plastic insulated type.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bob38S View Post
    As to what could have happened to me or the motor if there had not been the safety switch - well, I guess I don't really want to go there.
    What would have happened? It would have tripped the circuit breaker! The earth is for protection in just such cases - a wire breaks off and touches the case and causes a short circuit and trips the circuit breaker.

    Out of interest, what colour was the wire? I've seen the insulation go brittle and flake off on red plastic insulated wire (and the other colours of the same type and age of wire were fine).

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    I would go for the rewind, I use my RAS every day, although as said above, shop around the price sounds a bit heavy to me

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Nowra
    Posts
    111

    Default

    I'd get a second opinion as the isulating material for the connecting wires is not the same material as that used in the motor windings.
    I too have seen plastic insulation fail from what appears to be old age.
    Just my thoughts - good luck.
    BobT
    Don't argue with idiots, they only drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    Many thanks to all for your replies.

    The situation so far is that I'm looking to get more quotes [a little difficult as there is only one in town so I'm looking further afield but am running into the problem of them wanting a look before any quote - won't even give a ball park figure which I said I wouldn't hold them to] as well as investigating the reasons why - so far from the rewinder who quoted the $649.00 the reason for the breakdown is "old age" - seems a little sus but it's not my field so can only go with what I'm told.

    Chrisp as to the colour - not just one but all had disintegrated and there were just a heap of bare wires connecting the motor part to the switch.

    Regards,
    Bob

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Of The Boarder
    Age
    68
    Posts
    16,794

    Default Recalls

    There have been a number of DeWalt recalls of late http://www.recalls.gov.au/view_recal...?recall_type=2

    this is just one

    DeWALT 10 inch Job Site Table Saw
    Date: 25/01/2008
    Supplier Name: DeWALT Industrial Tool Company
    <!-- Product Group: Consumer [ACCC - PSPS]
    --><!--- Product Sub-Category Info END ---> <!-- <tr> <td> PSA ID: 13460
    </td> </tr> --> Product Info: Model DW744-XE. Only table saws with the date codes 2007 15 through to 2007 40 are affected. The product was sold at retail outlets between June and October 2007
    Defect Details: It may be possible, under certain circumstances, for the trunnion pivot bracket to separate. This may cause mis-alignment between the blade and the fence, and may create a possible laceration hazard
    Consumer action: If you table saw is affeced, stop using it immediately, and call DeWALT toll-free at 1800 816 900 between 8.30am - 5.00pm Australian Eastern Time Monday through Friday to arrange for a replacement at DeWALT's expense. Further information is available from www.dewalt.com.au.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    G'day Wheelinround, not my saw but thanks for the heads up.

    My saw [RAS] is actually a Tatry from Italy and was purchased new in '84 [thought it was earlier but I was mistaken when I checked].

    From what I can gather, DeWalt got rid of its RAS stuff in 1990. have done a chase up on Tatry but no joy. Hence, no parts or the liklihood of any in the future from what I can gather from DeWalt in Brisbane.

    Regards,
    Bob

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    For those interested, Just to keep you up to speed.

    Have had a quote from 90km south for $385 + [Grab Steal and Take or if you prefer Grand Scale Theft]. This bloke was prepared to give a quote based on description and the motor is on the transport tomorrow.

    Regards,
    Bob

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    44

    Default DW125 Insulation Failure 2016

    Hi Folks,

    Although this thread has been dormant for a while I thought it worth mentioning that my DW125 failed last week in the exact same way as Bob described. The insulation on the active and neutral inside the junction box was completely brittle with visible bare copper among the scorching. I decided to follow the issue into the motor housing and the insulation deterioration was present all the way into the (damaged) windings. I've attached a photo of the windings and the damaged insulation for reference.

    It has been a great saw and I'm going to cost getting it rewound (anyone have recommendation in Sydney - much appreciated if so); however, Bob's advice should be heeded for anyone purchasing one of these (and there are 3 currently on eBay) - check the internal wiring as soon as possible.

    The squirrel cage motor was a fun thing to take apart, so it's not all bad

    Cheers,

    Olly
    Attached Images Attached Images

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    G'day Olly, sorry to hear yours appears to have gone the same way.

    Certainly a good idea to have it rewound but I am in country Qld so can't help in that regard. Mine has worked like new since the fix and hopefully will continue to do so.

    After mine was done, the rewind bloke suggested that possibly the insulation broke down partly due to old age but also that it was not robust enough to cope with Australian conditions. I did find this a little odd as Italy also has extremes of weather, it was however, an opinion.

    Keep us posted as to how you get on, hopefully not too expensive.
    Regards,
    Bob

    Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Noise Issue
    By fatty500 in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 29th July 2007, 02:48 AM
  2. FWW Issue 191?
    By Dan in forum HAVE YOUR SAY
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 23rd May 2007, 11:37 AM
  3. Router turning jig - and safety issue
    By Arron in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 7th June 2005, 05:52 PM
  4. OH&S issue
    By AlexS in forum NON WOODWORK
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 4th October 2003, 04:06 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •