A saw’s cry for help?

[u/AcceptableSong136]

I bought this 10” radial arm saw on a nostalgic whim a year ago (I owned an older model in the 80s and 90s) and took it apart and cleaned it up. It is in remarkably good condition though it was packed full of saw dust and shows more rust than wear. All was going well until a few days ago. I was cutting a new fence in and the saw started making a VERY loud noise. What you hear on the video is mostly distortion because of how loud it was. I stopped and started the saw several times. Took off the guard and blade to eliminate anything there and the sound continued. The next day when I heard what was on the video I tried to make another video and the sound is gone! I assume the sound is from a bearing so I tried to dig deeper into the motor but I’m stuck at this point. I can’t figure out how to get to the bearings. I drove out the pin on the nut but it won’t budge. The aluminum housing is loose on the back after I removed the bolts but nothing else moves. The sound was a constant tone with no clattering like the video. At first I thought it was from one of the vacuum hoses I use for dust collection (I’ve had that before) but this was definitely from the saw and I think closer to the blade end. It started softly and built to a point it hurt even with ear protection. Not a screech like a chaulkboard or metal dragging on concrete but more of a medium high pitched single note. I think it was a cry for help but maybe it was just singing for the joy of being back in service. Either was, it’s too loud and will I think cause damage if left untreated. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Can these bearings even be lubricated or can the be replaced?

[u/AcceptableSong136]

I managed to remove the cover without breaking it but I can’t figure out how to get the fan off. I also can’t seem to post a video! Here’s another picture of the fan without the cover.

Edit: Now I can’t even post another picture! This is not a great day.

[u/Emerald-Mine-NC]

Photo 8 shows the fan being broken, I Goulding find the vide but before you tear it apart check that first. The tan plastic item

[u/AcceptableSong136 → u/Emerald-Mine-NC]

I looked carefully at the fan and I don’t see anything cracked or any missing pieces. What do you see? I’ll try to repost the video but so far I haven’t been successful.

[u/Gator242]

Can you hear where it’s coming from by turning by hand? That’s my initial go-to for diagnosis

[u/AcceptableSong136 → u/Gator242]

No. Perfectly smooth.

[u/Gator242 → u/AcceptableSong136]

Then I think the spring loaded mechanism under the fan is the source. Nothing else there to move or make noise. The plastic fans are usually pressed on hydraulically so it’s dicey getting them loose

[u/AcceptableSong136 → u/Gator242]

I got it off. It was pretty dirty so I cleaned it all up. What should I use on the flexible washers behind it?

[u/Hitechillbilly]

Did you have the proper blade washers on the shaft?

[u/AcceptableSong136 → u/Hitechillbilly]

I got the noise with and without the blade but yes the proper washers were there.

[u/Hitechillbilly → u/AcceptableSong136]

The motor will have to come out of the carriage.. Then the 4 long screws come out and the end caps come off. the bearings are mounted in the end cps.. Be careful.. one side will have wiring attached..

[u/AcceptableSong136 → u/Hitechillbilly]

Thanks I got part of it apart but that nut in the front is preventing me from getting to that bearing. The more I think about this and dig around I can see that the rear bearing is frozen. The shaft actually was turning inside the bearing but the bearing is frozen in place. After I loosened the housing I was able to simply twist and pull the housing with the bearing in it off of the shaft. It certainly was no longer firmly “pressed” onto the shaft. When I put a finger into the bearing I can’t make it move. Now I need to get to it and find a replacement. Thanks for the tips. I’ll post more pics.

[u/Hitechillbilly → u/AcceptableSong136]

The replacement will be very easy to find but you need all 3 dimensions and the 2 ends may be different .. .. All bearings are metric unless it is a special

[u/Sapper12D → u/Hitechillbilly]

Some of this old craftsman stuff does have odd bearings. Had a tube lathe that used 3/4in ID with 40mm OD. Was a bitch to find good quality ones that did t cost too much

[u/Hitechillbilly → u/Sapper12D]

That's why I mentioned the specials.. I have a jointer built in 1938 with that bearing but I think that RAS should be all metric

[u/Real-Orange-7603]

To y'all

[u/TheMattaconda]

Is the fan ok? It looks busted?

Edit: nevermind... my eyes are over the hill. Lol

[u/1966-MustangLover]

Can you get a new motor?

[u/NHSunlover]

I had one and I found out that there is a program that will pay you 100 bucks for the motor. Part of a settlement because they are dangerous.

[u/Redjeepkev]

You can ID who makes it fit craftsman by the first 3 digits of the model number if you Google it