One of the common issues that miter saw users face with older models is when they notice their miter saw motor burned out. In such circumstances, what is the appropriate thing to do? Do you fix what’s causing the problem or replace the miter saw?
Most of the time, the issue with your miter saw is worn-out carbon brushes. If the motor brushes are at fault, you can easily fix the issue by replacing them. The same goes for other components like the bearings, the armature, or the field. However, if the miter saw is too old, you may not want to replace any component.
Let’s take a detailed look at what to do when this problem occurs.
Top 4 Reasons Why Miter Saw Motor Burned Out
There can be many reasons causing your miter saw to burn out. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons.
Motor Brushes Wear Out
When you stumble into any mechanical issue with your miter saw, don’t forget to check the carbon brushes. They’re the most common parts to wear out over time. Even if your miter saw is relatively new, the brushes can wear out.
Check the carbon brushes if your miter saw is still covered by its warranty policy. Getting access to them can differ from miter saw to miter saw. So, the best thing to do is to check the user manual for instructions.
Inoperative Armature
When checking the carbon brushes, it’s a good idea to take a better look at the armature. This component can be difficult to remove and replace. Besides, it’s comparatively more expensive too.
Dirty Commutator
When the carbon brushes wear down with time, they leave residue inside the miter saw. The commutator can become dirty with carbon residue, which affects the miter saw. So, you might also want to take a look at the commutator and clean it up.
Damaged Motor
The worst-case scenario is that your motor is permanent damage. When you see smoke coming out of the motor, it can be an indication that the motor is damaged for good. If your miter saw motor is overheating, check out this article to see probable causes and fixes.
How To Fix Miter Saw Motor Burned Out?
In case the internal components are acting up and causing motor burnout, the fix is easier. For instance, worn-out carbon brushes can be easily replaced without the help of a professional. Besides, they don’t cost much. So, you won’t have to spend much money on fixing your miter saw.
The same goes for when one of the other components is damaged. These internal components can prevent your miter saw from starting when severely damaged. If you are interested, you can check my article on why won’t my miter saw turn on.
You can easily fix these issues by replacing the parts with new ones. But if the motor itself is at fault, things can get messy. Replacing the motor is risky as well as expensive. You can still do it if your miter saw is worth it.
So, how do you determine whether your miter saw is worth fixing or not? Well, it depends greatly on how much you spend on your miter saw and how old it is. If the unit overall is not efficient enough as it used to be, spending money on a new motor may not do much for you.
With time, all miter saw lose their efficiency. At one point, you need to replace the unit and get a new one if you want cuts like before. Even if you replace the damaged parts of your miter saw, it won’t be able to perform the way it used to. So, it’s not worth spending money on fixing it. Instead, investing in a new miter saw can be a better option.
Some Tips To Remember
- You can increase your miter saw’s longevity by ensuring regular maintenance. Clean your miter saw, including the inner parts, to keep the engine running without any issues. Sawdust accumulation inside the miter saw is not something to be taken lightly.
- Lubricating your miter saw can ease up any stuck parts and make it smoother for you. So, make sure to invest in a high-quality lubricant for your miter saw.
- Tampering with the safety features is not something you want to do with power tools. Regardless of what adjustments you are making with your miter saw, make sure to ensure the highest level of safety.
- If you are not sure about changing any damaged components by yourself, it’s better not to temper with the miter saw. The better idea would be to take the miter saw to a mechanic.
- Avoid overworking your miter saw. Even though miter saws are very diverse, they have limitations. So, if you want your miter saw to last long, utilize it while following the instructions from the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my miter saw motor sparking?
Damaged carbon brushes or a damaged commutator can be responsible for the miter saw sparking. You can replace these components to see if the problem gets fixed. Sometimes, the commutator may only need a thorough cleaning to remove the carbon residue resulting from the brushes.
In some cases, the armature can also be damaged. This part is comparatively more expensive and difficult to replace.
Is it worth fixing a miter saw?
Whether you should spend money on fixing a damaged miter saw or not depends on several things. For instance, if the overall condition of your miter saw is well, you might want to consider fixing the miter saw. The amount of money you need to fix the miter saw and how damaged it is are also contributing factors.
If you are up for investing in a new miter saw, it’s better to avoid fixing an old one. However, for smaller fixes like replacing carbon brushes, a miter saw is certainly worth fixing.
Key Takeaways
If your miter saw motor burned out, it’s time to look for fixes. A relatively new miter saw with a burned-out motor may perform well for many years to come with a few fixes. For instance, the most common issue with a miter saw is worn-out motor brushes. These brushes are cheap and easy to replace. So, if that’s the case with your miter saw as well, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t fix your miter saw. However, if your miter saw is old, and beyond repair, it may not be a good idea to spend any more money on it.
