Has your miter saw stopped working all of a sudden without any apparent damage? Or your miter saw won’t turn on? This is a common problem for all miter saw users. I have also faced few problems with my Dewalt miter saw that I have been using for the last 4 years. So I have done many Dewalt miter saw troubleshooting.
As the structure of all miter saws and are similar, their issues and remedies are also almost similar. Most of the time basic troubleshooting solves the issue. However, you might need to change some parts if they are worn out.
Here, I’ll discuss the common reasons for this problem and ways to solve it. I will be answering some FAQs as well. Let’s get started!
How to Turn on Miter Saw
First, try troubleshooting following the miter saw manual below-
Check If It’s Plugged In
This is quite common in workshops and outdoors. Craftsmen unplug the saw after finishing using it for precaution. But later forgets to plug it in.
I know this sounds funny but trust me it is the most common mistake. So make sure your miter saw is plugged in properly.
Vet The Circuit Breaker
If your saw doesn’t start after plugging in the saw, go over the circuit breaker. You might have experienced your lights of the house getting dimmed while using the miter saw. This is because miter saws draw a high level of power. For this, the circuit breaker might trip while using such saws.
If you see a breakdown of fuses, replace them or reset the circuit breaker. It is easy to replace a fuse. And only requires a screwdriver and a piece of wire.
Look Over The Power Cord
The power cord is the thick wire that transmits electricity to your saw from the socket. Check if it has any external damage or not. If you see any blotch, replace it immediately.
Dissect The Carbon Brushes
Carbon brushes are vital parts of power generated saws. You can find the brushes opening the motor end cap with a screwdriver. There are two of them inside a miter saw. They supply power to the armature. They wear out quite often as they are in close contact always.
If the thickness of the carbon brushes is less than 1/8 inches, change them. These carbon brushes are easily available in the market.
These were some of the basic remedies that you can follow if your miter saw stopped working. This should fix the issue. However, you might have to go deeper into the saw to fix some problems. Let’s try to fix a few such problems by answering some FAQs.
How to Fix The Miter Saw Problem?
Fixing a broken miter saw I got this all for free because it doesn’t work. Let’s troubleshoot the potential culprits. Always start with the easiest thing first, in this case the power cable. Visually inspect the cable and prongs for damage looks good. Once we have access to the wires on the other end of the cable we can test for continuity with a multimeter to rule out a broken wire
Let’s plug it in and see if it does anything. Nope, nothing. Next, unplug the sawn inspect the brushes. The brushes don’t have any cracks or chips and appear to have plenty of life left.
Miter Saw Classification
There are three main types of miter saws. They are:-
Standard miter saw
Standard miter saws are the most basic miter saws. They are ideal for a crosscut at 90o and 45o angle.
It is fast and mostly used in wood or framework. It is used for cross and miter cuts. Standard miter saws are affordable and easy to use. This is the best for beginners.
Compound miter saw
Compound miter saw serves the purpose of a standard miter saw along with additional bevel cut. There are both dual and single bevel models of compound miter saws. As it can cut both miter and bevel cuts, it is called a compound miter saw. It’s versatile and can move around with ease.
Here we make a list of the top-selling 3 best compund miter saw. They are:-
Sliding Compound miter saw
This compound saw has a rail to increase the crosscut capacity and add more angles to the cut. It has more flexibility than a compound miter saw and cut deeper.
There are three types of Sliding Compound Miter saw- single sliding compound, double sliding compound, and cordless sliding compound.
Here we make a list of the top-selling 4 best sliding compund miter saw. They are:-
Dual Sliding Compound Miter Saw
This saw can produce all angles without reposition. It can rotate its head on both the right and left sides. Besides, it has a miter table and sliding rails. It’s the best saw to get a bevel-cut and base flat in both directions (right and left). Example- Skil MS6305-00, DEWALT DWS779, etc.
You also need to identify your needs to choose the best saw for you. If you are looking for a saw for your upcoming big project, the standard miter saw won’t be enough. For that, you might need a sliding or dual sliding compound miter saw.
If you have to cut multiple planks of wood at a time, consider buying a saw with a bigger blade. Generally, the blades are 8, 10, and 12 inches.
There are many good 12 inches miter saws available in the market. Buy saws that’s parts that are also easily available. DEWALT miter saw parts dw705 are easily available in the market. It is one of the best 12-inch blade miter saw.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why does my circular saw keep stopping?
If your circular saw keeps stopping while using then the problem might be in your blade. The blade gets dull with time. Consider changing it.
Maintain proper safety while changing the blades. Make sure it is plugged out. If you use the Milwaukee circular saw be extra careful.
As one of the Milwaukee m18 fuel 6-1/2 circular saw problems is the safety issue. The guard of the saw hangs up on the left side of the blade. This makes it a big risk for the pros.
2. Why won’t my miter saw turn on?
Your miter saw might not turn on for an internal defect. First, follow the miter saw manual.
If the manual does not help, check the switch, brush holder, armature, and fields. Follow the troubleshoot guideline of your saw to open those parts carefully. Then, If you see damage in any one of the parts, change it.
3. Why does my miter saw’s motor rotate but blades don’t?
This problem might arise due to wearing or tearing of the belt, bearings, shafts, and gear.
First, check the break as they wear out and tear. You can inspect the belt by opening the belt cover. If you find the break broken, replace it. Consult a pro mechanic if you want to avoid opening the saw on your own.
If your miter saw refuses to get back to life even after scrutinizing all the mentioned parts, it is most probably the time to get yourself a new miter saw.
There are various types of the miter saw. You must have some basic idea about each of them to choose the best one for you.
Final Words
It’s not always the end if your miter saw stopped working suddenly. There can be many reasons for it, and the best part is that it can be fixed. Follow the guidelines mentioned above maintaining all safety measures.
And if it still does not work you might have to buy a new one. And for that also, I have discussed all variants of miter saws to help you choose the best one for you.
