First I installed an on/off switch fom a dead GMC saw. Then I got the old motor running and mounted it better. It was on bent 5/16 bolts dangling 1 1/2" above the base.
I put it on 3/8 threaded rod (to match the holes in the base plate of the motor) with nuts and washers above and below for height adjustment.
This seemed to be working,if a bit underpowered, so I ordered a couple of blades.
Despite the glowing reports Henry Bros. got my order slightly wrong.
I initially ordered a cheap 3/16" blade for my sons 10" GMC and a cheap 1/4" blade for my Paul Call plus an 1/2" bi-metal. They said it would be 2 days before they could do it, so I didn't think it would be a problem to upgrade my 1/4" blade
to bi-metal 2 hours later. They said it would be fine but for some reason they sent me all 3 cheap blades.
When they quoted process they neglected to mention that GST was not included. They even charged GST on the postage.
I don't have time to send them back and by the time I pay postage it is hardly worth it. If I order from them again I
will mention it next time.
In the meantime I decided to try to mount a bigger motor. I had one on an ancient belt driven compressor that had a 2 1/2"
pulley the same as the original.
The base had slots for 5/16 bolts max. To make things worse. they needed to be along the edges of my original holes.
I bolted 19mm ply to the baseboard with 3/8 bolts and recessed the heads. Then I bolted 19mm ply to the motor with 5/16 bolts
and recessed the heads. 3/8 rods through the lot and hey presto.
My inverter ran it fine but it was way too fast. I tried in Glen Innes and Armidale put couldn't find any smaller pulleys to match any of my motors.
Off with the whole assembly and back to the original motor.
When the blades arrived I put the 1/4" on first. It wouldn't track at all. The only thing that had been keeping the old blade on was the fact it was adjusted right up against the guide bearings.
The tires seemed to be solid enough, but worn concave by the blade.
Thanks to advice from Mathew,
I got out the masking tape. I had 3/4/' tape and 1" wide wheels. A bit of creative overlapping and the problem was soon solved.I went to try the 1/2" blade next. As soon as I tried to cut the motor struggled. As I adjusted the tension it struggled a bit more. It wouldn't even run after a few days. The motor was dying.
Back to town, order 1 1/4" pulley for other motor, wait a week and remount it. You guessed it... the V belt is way too long now. Lucky for me I have 20-30 of them in varying sizes. I found one with slots in the back (much better for my small pulley) and much to my joy I found that as long as my batteries are charged my inverter handles it fine.
I need to make a tall fence next.
It saws nicely if I clamp a board 1mm or 2mm closer to the blade at the front than at the rear. Is this normal?
