Thread: it's still not a makita...

a while ago i bought a second-hand gmc sliding compound mitre saw to replace the non-sliding version i had owned from new

once adjusted correctly, they're fairly accurate and i mainly use them for docking, then do finishing cuts on my table saw

this one, though, unlike my owned-from new one, had very indistinct detents on the common angles

and here's why - the boss holding the spring and ball-bearing for the detent mechanism had broken (first image)

it's a throw-away, right? not on your bloody life...

from my box of potentially useful stuff, i found the telescopic handle of a magnetic pick-up tool my seven-year-old had helpfully broken, which was the right diameter for the ball-bearing (second image)

i drilled out the boss to take the tube (third image)

i cut down the broken boss, exposing the tube (fourth image)

and made up a support plate to strengthen and stabilise the very thin-walled tube (file and fit, file and fit)

bunged it back together - and the detents are back and distinct

the moral? nothing can't be repaired - with a little imagination and work

i hate throwing stuff away!