Why Your Miter Saw Won’t Rotate?

Why your miter saw won’t rotate?

Your miter saw won’t rotate because something is stuck in your blade, causing it not to move, or your flange or clamp is worn. A warped or bent saw blade or a worn wear plate that isn’t functioning well is another reason your miter saw won’t rotate.

Something is stuck in your blade

Sometimes a little piece of wood or metal, such as chippings, may get caught where it turns, causing it to become difficult to turn. That is typically hidden between the teeth of the base plate, making it difficult to locate, and it can be difficult to identify at times. It is highly recommended that you look into that. Unfortunately, this will necessitate taking the saw apart. Always make sure to confirm that what you are doing will not result in the voiding of any warranties that you may have.

Worn Flange or Clamp

Inspecting the flange is a breeze because you can reach it without having to take off any of the other components. You just need to remove the flange, inspect it for any evidence of cracking, warping, or other damage, and replace it if it’s damaged. The blade can be unsteady if the outer flange or the clamp cannot make adequate contact with the blade.

Warped or Bent Saw Blade

In most cases, bending a blade involves either the operator securing the blade in a workpiece or the blade being struck while it is transported. When you buy a blade of poor quality, there’s a good chance you’ll find that it’s already warped when you get it home. It is fairly simple to determine whether or not a blade has been warped; all that is required is to remove the blade and examine it when it is resting on a level surface. If you observe any warping, you should be sure to replace it as soon as possible.

Worn wear plate

The saw can freely rotate on the base thanks to the placement of the wear plate, which is situated between the saw and the base. This component will eventually wear out to the point where it will make it more difficult to move the saw, which will need to be replaced.

How to fix a miter saw that won’t rotate?

You can fix your miter saw that won’t rotate by replacing the plate, lubricating the parts, and performing general maintenance.

Replacing the plate

Your miter saw’s plate is very important if you want it to rotate. You can continue with this guide to know how to replace the plate.

Take down the fence and any kerf plates to replace your plate.
The next step is to remove the nut from the top while holding onto the bolt underneath while you pull out the central nut.
Take careful note of all the components attached so you can reassemble them afterward.
Then, remove the wear plate, clean the surrounding region, and last, put on the replacement wear plate.
Reattach the saw to the base, and then re-insert the bolt you previously removed from the bottom.
Reinstall the roller bearing, and the washer on the top, then screw the nut back on. Ensure the nut is sufficiently tightened so it can be moved freely but not too readily; it should still have some stress.

Lubricating the miter saw

Lubrication plays an important role if you want your miter saw to rotate as supposed. Here are steps to lubricate your miter saw’s parts.

Turn off the power to the saw, and then place it on a level surface. Take hold of the transparent blade guard protecting the blade, and then manually pull it back away from the blade.
A can of compressed air should be used to thoroughly clean the entire compound miter saw. Keep the can about 6 inches from the saw’s surface as you rock it back and forth while holding it there. Bring the can in closer, and work your way into the saw’s nooks and crannies. Clear the saw’s path of any dirt and debris by blowing them away.
Use a clean rag to remove sawdust or wood chips that may have accumulated. Use the rag to clean the blade as thoroughly as you can, and then use the toothbrush to give the entire surface of the blade a thorough cleaning. Apply significant force to the sawblade, and scrape it thoroughly until there is no more visible sawdust.
You should apply a very small amount of spray lubrication to the blade of the saw, and then it should be spread by hand to cover the entire blade. Allow it to absorb completely, then use a clean cloth to remove any excess. Place the blade guard over the blade again and drop it.
Test how well the saw functions by plugging it in and turning it on. First, cut a piece of wood to use as a test specimen, and then, if necessary, lubricate the blade.

General maintenance

Because you are using the tool and it is still open to the elements (air and dust), the machine will eventually become damaged due to both the use and the exposure. Every miter saw has the potential to suffer damage from wear and tear.

It makes no difference if they are low-cost or high-priced, hardly used or put through a lot of wear and tear, or even when they are maintained appropriately. Here are steps to perform routine checks on your miter saw.

Make it a habit to examine your miter saw at least once every few weeks and check it for damage, such as chips, cracks, and other types of breakage.
You must check your miter saw’s kerf board, power cable, and brushes at regular intervals. If you find any component that has chipping, cracking, or any other damage, you should fix it while it’s still in its early stages.
Do not be reluctant to replace these parts if they have sustained significant damage.
You must pay close attention to the amount of wear and tear your miter saw is experiencing.

As was stated before, the miter saw is not exactly a low-cost piece of equipment. Simply put, you are safeguarding your investment in the miter saw by performing routine maintenance.

Additionally, before disassembling the saw, you should ensure that the locking mechanism is working properly. When people were asked about this issue, it was discovered that many had noticed that the actual lever or knob was starting to slip, and as a result, it was not fully releasing the pin holding the turntable in place. Immediately upon having that cleaned out and oiled, the issue was remedied.

Why your Makita miter saw won’t rotate?

The reason your Makita miter saw won’t rotate is because of dust and debris under the plate or because your lock mechanism is binding up. Lack of lubrication of the miter saw parts, making them rust, is another reason your Makita miter saw won’t rotate.

Here are the steps to fix it.

First, flip the saw over and remove the retaining nut from the spindle.
Next, remove the fence from the base of the saw and the lock mechanism from the plate. Then, the base should slide away easily from the plate.
Emory cloth should be used to look for and eliminate any defects in both the bottom of the plate and the top of the base after they have been meticulously cleaned.
While reassembling, be sure to use a lubricant based on mineral oil, and when tightening the retaining nut, be careful not to overdo it.
To prevent this from happening again, blow out the base after usage with an air gun, then lubricate lightly after each day’s use.

Why your Craftsman miter saw won’t rotate?

The reason your Craftsman miter saw won’t rotate is because the wear plate that allows the saw to rotate is worn out or the lever that allows adjustments is broken. A missing or broken knob is another reason your miter saw won’t rotate.

Here is a guide to fixing your Cratman miter saw.

To fix a broken lever, you must loosen the jam nut and take the extension rod off.
Take off the bolt that’s holding the lever in place.
Install the replacement lever after fully extending the extension rod in the direction of the arrow.
After you have the jam nut back in place, you can next insert the bolt that will secure it.
Adjust the tension to your liking.
Saw blades are an extremely significant component that contributes to the overall functionality of saws. Because of this, it is strongly recommended that you clean the blades. When clearing debris from the teeth of blades, exercise extreme caution at all times.
Never attempt to accomplish that with your bare hands. You should either use a brush or protect your hands by donning heavy gloves. After cleaning the blade and removing any debris, use a circular motion to apply some oil to the blade’s surface.
If the blades have lost their sharpness, you should sharpen them.
You must utilize the appropriate sharpening tools; failing to do so may result in broken blades.
When cleaning a miter saw, you must ensure that you do not neglect any external components.
You should apply lubricant to these parts to reduce friction and make it easier for them to work. Additionally, it lengthens the parts’ period of serviceability. Check each brush for any chipping, cracking, crumbling, or breakage.
Examine the power cord for any breaks or nicks that might have been caused by wear and tear. Replace any component that shows signs of wear and tear.

If you follow the advice in this article regarding maintenance, you will be able to keep your miter saw in the finest shape possible and extend its life. If you want it to rotate correctly, you need to inspect it regularly and fix any problems that you find (if any).