Skilsaw sparking

[zakthor]

I inherited an hd77 skilsaw with a nice plastic case. Been using it for 5 years or so.

I cut concrete with it last week and towards the end it was sparking real bad and smoking.

I need a new commutator/armature but they are nla. Cant believe they made these for 75 years and now no more parts.

I know how commutators work, is it something fixable, like with solder and high temp epoxy?

Unit is in great shape except for the sparks and the bad smell.

Went to home depot and even the big concrete saws are battery powered. I guess private equity loves those battery sales. Im an infrequent user but when i use it its all day.

Thinking maybe i can get a good armature from a thrashed unit at a thift store?

And next time ill just buy an actual concrete saw.

[Zeke]

IDk if you used water or the thing ate lots of dust. But 2 things could have happened, one is more likely. You overheated the armature (likely) or the brushes gave up.

I think cannibalizing one saw to fix another is a fool's errand. The real world prices for decent used 77's is south of a hundred bucks. That is where I'd go. Keep the old one for the gears, foot, switch, etc.

It's a sad world when the 77 is no longer the king.

[look 171]

We use battery power Dewalt and makita now. Not more cutting into the cord when it gets in the way and ruin a day's production without a saw. I, personally still drag a cord and my Mag 77 saw when I need to cut something at my home. Since it isn't used too much, it is in great shape. I hate using beat up tools that are hard adjust and not accurate. Parts are still available, just have to buy it on the net. Home depot? HA, funny. https://www.ereplacementparts.com/skil-hd77-type-worm-drive-saw-parts-parts-c-130_160_1005.html

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/skil-hd77-type-worm-drive-saw-parts-parts-c-130_160_1005.html

[Zeke]

Ont thing I always had on the truck was a spare male plug. My 77 still sports a replacement done n the middle of a job right there in the customer's driveway. I didn't cut it but the wires broke inside the cord right at the molded plug.

I did cut the cord on another saw one day and I just packed up and went home. I figured if I was that stupid one of my fingers was next. There are those days.

[zakthor]

Yes i used a tiny bit of water to keep the dust down.

The saw always sparked a bit but while cutting the concrete it looks like a bunch of wires to the commutator fell off, could see them twirling in there making sparks. Ive done a lot of long deep cuts with that saw and never had trouble before.i only cut for 30 seconds at a time, saw was cutting easily and didnt get hot. Could just be the water, the dust, or it was just time.

Brushes look great, i would need to reattach those wires to commutator but kind of means reengineering the connection.

Used to be a new armature was $50 but theyre really nla.

I was hoping this sort of fix was a normal thing but i guess not. Nice tool it seems wasteful.

Ok, new spt77 is $150 and hopefully fits the same case.

Wrt battery: sure theyre better and everyone loves them but ii still sting from the crap battery tools i bought in the 90s. Im fine managing cords and my grandchildren can inherit the tools. Wifes dewalt battery chainsaw is a frustrating joke, good for about 30 minutes of actual cutting. Nope im not going to get a battery skilsaw or concrete saw - they must think im stupid. Little drill sure, concrete drill no.

[zakthor]

Oh… maybe…

Old 1907 house, old 2 prong outlet, my big giant extension cord… maybe current ask was too high and voltage dropped. That would kill a motor.

[Zeke]

Wires "twirling"? time to stop right there. Or maybe not since it was about to die anyway. Hopefully you got all the cut you needed before you let the smoke out.

Now stick a fork in it.

On the new saws, I had to look into this. "What is the difference between the 2 Skilsaw 77's SPT77WML-01 and SPT77WML-22?"

The answer: They are the same saw. The only difference is that the SPT77WML-22 includes a Diablo blade, whereas the SPT77WML-01 features a 24-Tooth Carbide SKILSAW blade.

That and about $100 on amazon. Just so you know.

[zakthor]

Thanks zeke. I got the cuts done but i tried it yesterday and it emitted a mess of crackely photons and blew the breaker. Sentimental a fine tool dies after getting the job done.

Sucks its a fine thing, just a tiny boo boo and its trash. Small amount of transmogrification and it’d be a saw again.

Next time i need one ill go buy new. Then again i should maybe buy soon while i can still get a corded tool.

[Zeke]

Yeah, the have a tendency to not heal overnight. I've had a Porter Cable router explode in blue and yellow flames while holding on with both hands. That will get your attention. I took it to the tool repair and donated it for any parts that they might be able to use. In hindsight I should have mined the switch and the bearings. I did keep the base as they are universal to all PC routers.

And the power cord, of course.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Yeah, the have a tendency to not heal overnight. I've had a Porter Cable router explode in blue and yellow flames while holding on with both hands. That will get your attention. I took it to the tool repair and donated it for any parts that they might be able to use. In hindsight I should have mined the switch and the bearings. I did keep the base as they are universal to all PC routers.

And the power cord, of course.

I assume you have the #690 routers? They do not quit. We have a few 3.25 hp one for production work. Those are good routers. On the 690, Sometime the handle strips or that's where the base cracks.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by look 171

I assume you have the #690 routers? They do not quit. We have a few 3.25 hp one for production work. Those are good routers. On the 690, Sometime the handle strips or that's where the base cracks.

No, it was an old model 100 with the dome top. I guess after about 1000 doors it was done. I used to own the French Coor Connection and that's all I did for many years.

I have the 690 now along with the 3 1/4 HP monster.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

No, it was an old model 100 with the dome top. I guess after about 1000 doors it was done. I used to own the French Coor Connection and that's all I did for many years.

I have the 690 now along with the 3 1/4 HP monster.

I remember an old timer has a dome top PC. All he used it for was to hang doors. The dome fits the operator hand well. I don't think they make such animal now just like their adj. cutting depth Rockwell door planer. I love that thing. I do not normally let that out of my eye's view. Once done, the guys bring it back.

[Zeke]

Well, I'm an old timer. Started in the trades in 1970 and I was already in my late 20's. Before that I was in fiberglass and auto repair (not as a mechanic with a real job) and did a short stint with an F5000 team.

[zakthor]

Ok i can bubble this thread back to life.

Made it the whole summer but jigsaw and sawzall are poor substitutes.

Drove up yesterday an bought a 77 type 16 for $50. Guy had his name carved into it, had made a case for it from plywood. Hes in his 80s and shoulders gave out. Came with 10 blades. Guy was sentimental and wasnt going yo let me leave without that case.

Thing feels and sounds great and it fits my existing plastic case.

Now ive a good one and a dead one. How do i stop myself from hourding the dead one for parts? Dead one looks like its in better shape.

New one in foreground:

[masraum]

Originally Posted by zakthor

Ok i can bubble this thread back to life.

Made it the whole summer but jigsaw and sawzall are poor substitutes.

Drove up yesterday an bought a 77 type 16 for $50. Guy had his name carved into it, had made a case for it from plywood. Hes in his 80s and shoulders gave out. Came with 10 blades. Guy was sentimental and wasnt going yo let me leave without that case.

Thing feels and sounds great and it fits my existing plastic case.

Now ive a good one and a dead one. How do i stop myself from hourding the dead one for parts? Dead one looks like its in better shape.

New one in foreground:

Cool, but I want to see pics of the plywood case that he made.

[zakthor]

Funny i just decided to keep his case. It holds all my blades and it doesnt suck.

He said the handle was from the door to the boardroom of an insurance company building that he helped remodel.

[masraum]

Nice. I'm sure that your other box is lighter and better in many ways, but I like the one that he made. I've got a couple of similar boxes that my grandfather made for various items, nothing fancy, but I'm definitely keeping them.