My saw died

[Dawie]

  Today my Proxxon gave up on me .
Was just getting on so nicely with my orders.
I think the problem lays within the variable speed thingy. Will asked my handy nephew if he can open it up and have a look inside.
My mom just phoned if my saw is beyond repair she will sponsor a new one for me. What a great mother I have!
David

[dgman]

Sorry to hear that David. The first thing I would check is the switch. I don't know your saw, but it seems the first thing to go on any saw is the switch. Is it still under warranty?

[Marcellarius]

Hey David,
bad luck man, thats really a problem.
how old is the saw, no more wananty? (now days most equipment has 2 or 3 years)
my experience with this speed control stuff isn't that much, but I know that sometimes a new capacitor (?1,00) is
the trick.

and the backup scenario, a great mother indeed.
 good luck david, hope it will work again soon

[Dawie]

Thanks guys. My nephew will open up the saw tomorrow or Thursday as he is very tired right now. He says thanks for the tips he will check this out first.
David.

[dgman]

Hey David one more thing, Check to see if the fuse has blown. That would be the easiest fix!

[tux_linux]

How old is your saw David?
And if needed - what's a good saw in Europe? I recently stumbled upon the "Rexon VS4000" also sold as "Holzkraft DKS 530 Vario". I don't know much yet, but the design seems to be quite ok as they don't have a big upper arm to cause much vibration.

Or should we use this one ? 

regards
Torsten

[jimbo]

I think your saw is about as old as mine as I remember when you got it so it is probably still under warranty, as Dan has said check the switch for dust then the fuse
Jimbo   

[mrsn]

When mine died it was the switch. My switch had a slightly burned out appearance, we tested it by trading it for the light switch and the saw worked. The replacement switch was a couple of bucks so I have a couple on hand now, just in case.

[Dawie]

Hi Everybody,
Thanks for the advice and Torsten I think you would need to give me lessons on that saw you posted. Nephew is sick so saw has not been opened up yet. But I think you guys are right about the switch, I tried it last night and jiggled the switch and it came to life, after switching it off it would not start again, but after some on off actions on my side it worked again.
Checked the warranty has just expired.
So Torsten what is the best saw in Europe that one can afford? Wonder why they don't sell the De Walt here as they sell some many other De Walt tools.
David

[GrayBeard]

Get yourself a can of compressed air from a computer store or electronics store and blow that thing out!
then cover it up and use a foot pedal, 'dead man' switch!

~~~GB~~~

[Crabbyboater]

David, when you jiggled the switch some and the saw came on, it tells me you have dirty or corroded contacts inside the switch.  I suggest you follow GB's advice about blowing it out, then, with the cord unplugged, flip the switch on and off several times.  This will help clean the contacts.  Once done, plug it back in and see if it works again.  You might try blowing it out a couple of times while you're flipping the switch on and off before you plug it back in.  Good luck... I hope this does it for you.

[Merlin]

As Graggyboater said that worked for my old Ryobi a fews years back.

***Merlin***

[tux_linux]

I'm with crabbyboater!

But be careful - UNPLUG THE SAW FIRST! it might be just a loose connector.
Those switches can also be opened to maintain them. 
Inside the switch is a self holding relay.  Sometimes those contacts need to be readjusted.
Your nephew will figure it out.

On the new saw issue: I don't know ether. I'm not really looking into buying a Hegner - they are imho way to pricey.
It might also be a good solution to use some US-110V machine with a power-converter.
But best might be to have a piggy bank somewhere near the saw.

regards
Torsten

[Marcellarius]

David,

after dissembling the switch you can clean the metal contacts by rubbing them clean with 95% alcohol keatonatus.
or else maybe you could use, after blowing the switch clean, an electrical contact spray.

be sure that the contacts are dry before you put them under power again!