Dremel scroll saw

[TC Chris]

Neighbors left a Dremel model 57-2 scroll saw in the alley with a "free" sign on it after a garage sale. I plucked it from the rain and let it dry in the garage. I've got a scroll saw already but no alley orphan gets turned from my door.

It would start by hand-spinning the little disc sander on the side power take-off. Otherwise, it just hums. I took the motor out and dribbled some oil into the bearings. Also oiled the link from the eccentric drive on the motor shaft to the blade arm. Put it back together and no better. Came inside and checked the internet; it uses ball bearings so the oil was probably a minor mistake.

Online info calls it a shaded-pole motor; I'd call it four-pole. Whatever, what make a non-capacitor-start motor need a hand to get going?

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

Dirty/dragging armature?

[Doug]

I have one of those..
Anyway looking at the manual on line parts diagram just seems to be switch motor and cord.
I would check make sure it's getting full ac at the motor.
So search the web forever...
If I had that issue I would take it to the local motor repair shop and tell them I know it's not worth it but what would cause this little motor not to start on its own.
Never know they may have one in there used pile.
Have a good day
Doug

[TC Chris]

Where are you buying blades? Some of the online discussions suggested they are rare. I haven't looked yet.

Also, on mime, when it stops, it does so abruptly at one of the dead centers. The abrupt stop causes the screw holding the sanding disc & pad to come unscrewed, Odd behavior,or maybe I should say odd design.

Chris Campbell

[Doug]

I don't know if they still.make the blades.
For those reading it's a special blade about 5" long with a pin thru the blade on each end.
I like stopping by habitat of humanity resale stores for older stuff
Did u take it all apart or just the motor?
It has pivit points on the two long arms inside.
Did you find the manual on line? It's somewhat helpful

[TC Chris]

I only attacked the motor first. I note that the instructions say not to run accessories n the power take-off without a blade in place. Maybe the arms move easier when there's a blade linking them. And the online folks called the blade 3". I'll take it apart some more when I have time.

Does yours have any of the accessories?

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

Chris, last I knew Lowe's still sold blades for Dremel saws. I had one I sold at the auction. Mine was only good for craft work, typical of all Dremel tools. A 1/4" plywood cut would really strain it. I cut a speaker grille for my old Temple radio with mine, but it took forever. I found mine excellent for delicate work, but the motor would get warm if you strained it, then wouldn't start if you shut if off when it was overheated. I don't think they make those saws anymore, perhaps for a good reason. Good luck..........

I found my Dremel saw excellent for cutting Masonite to make new radio backs.

[TC Chris]

I acquired this just to keep it out of the landfill. I've got a Sears band saw and Sears scrollsaw and a big old cast-iron Walker-Turner jig saw out in the garage holding up other stuff. It may end up living at the cottage for the occasional odd job if nobody else wants it.

Chris Campbell

[TC Chris]

OK, the scroll saw starts without assistance now. The original instructions, online, warned not to use the power takeoff without a blade installed. That got me to thinking that maybe the upper and lower arms had counteracting springs that would be neutralized by installing a blade.

Well, today as I was working on the cord, a blade fell out of the housing. I had just ordered some online. After the cord was fixed, I installed the blade, flipped the switch, and it ran instantly. Yup, blade needed. As a side benefit, with both arms acting, the motor does not stop abruptly, and the sanding disc does not unscrew itself.

The cord had one of those suspicious globs of melted tape around it up near the chassis cable clamp. Upon investigation, the neutral wire was nicked, hot was OK, and ground was quite nicked. In fact, as I was inspecting, the ground broke. Young Chris would have said, 'That doesn't matter!" Old Chris said "Better fix that now." So I did.

Chris Campbell