Problems with GMC 16" scroll saw
Stop the presses .... there has been a problem with a GMC scrollsaw.
Ok, Ok so nothing unusual there.
I purchased a GMC 16" just over 2 years ago (just past warranty of course) which has had minimal use. As I haven't used it for so long I am not sure what is usual noise and what is broken noise (both sound the same on the GMC). To be honest for $50 I didn't expect much and when it was working well it was quite good.
I have been really pushing the limits of the machine as of late trying to cut 3mm MDF. The machine has been vibrating like mad and then yesterday the motor seemed to vibrate free from its support bracket.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...h_IMG_4942.jpg
After some poor quality welding I put it back together again and it seemed to improve somewhat. Then I noticed a small ring of metal which I couldn't identify.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...h_IMG_4938.jpg
After thinking about it for a while I concluded that there should be a bearing where I found the small ring of metal and it has basically disintegrated into nothing without a trace. Without the bearing this would explain the excessive vibration leading to the motor coming off its brackets (that and the initial poor quality insertion of the rivets which were so deep they penetrated the frame resulting in two rivets connected to the motor with a broken circle of frame surrounding)
Could somebody with the same saw please take off the side panel and just check to see if my suspicions of a missing lower bearing are correct. I would think that I need to get another bearing like the top one to replace.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...h_IMG_4934.jpg
With any luck there may be some life left in the old dog.
Cheers
Stinky.
How Didya Go With it Smelly
How Didya Go With it Smelly:U:no:
Same problem ...same bearing!!!
Hi All,
First time on this forum and unbelievably found this thread with exactly the same problem I have with my GMC scroll saw. Obviously not a great design. If you look at all the other (better, more expensive) saws you will notice they all have the motor mounted at right-angles to the blade arms. hence they are smoother and do not need the spherical bearings. I'm not sure which one of you actually bought the new bearings at Rob Hamilton but if you still have the invoice could I please have the part number for the bearings. I have spoken to the guys at Rob Hamilton Geelong but it is not easy doing it over the phone (I am in Melbourne). Thanks....