Why is My Table Saw Making a Noise (Grinding, Bearing & Loud)?

Why is my table saw making a grinding noise?

The reason your table saw is making a grinding noise is because of a damaged belt that has worn out over time, loose pulley set-screws, or worn out bearings.

 

 

Damaged belt

Your table saw has a flexible v-belt, a power transmission device. It efficiently transfers power from one shaft (the motor output shaft) to another (the driven pulley connected to the blade).

With time, all belts will stretch. A bad belt will cause vibrations, and the weight of the blades will increase these vibrations. These vibrations cause a wobble in your blade and cause a grinding or screeching noise.

 

Loose pulley set-screws

Set screws are used to connect a pulley or gear to a shaft. They are usually headless; the screws are fully threaded and have no head sticking past the diameter of the screw thread.

Because of the wear and tear of a mechanical system, the set screws can get damaged over time. Applying too much torque while tightening the screws can also damage them. This damage will reduce the efficiency and smoothness of the power transfer from the motor to the pulley. In addition, it causes the saw to make a grinding noise.

 

Bearing problems

Bearings support the rotating shaft of the motor in your table saw. They maintain the correct position for the shaft, reduce friction between the rotating parts and make the movement smoother.

If you have had your table saw for a while, continuous use causes wear and tear to the balls inside the bearings. This interferes with their smooth rotation and causes a grinding noise.

 

How to fix a table saw that is making a grinding noise?

You can clean out the check for looseness on your pulley and replace damaged belts and worn-out bearings to fix a table saw that is making a grinding noise.

Damaged belt

A damaged belt could be why your saw is making a grinding noise. Follow these steps to replace it:

1. First, disconnect your table saw from power.
2. Next, vacuum the interior of the saw cabinet to remove sawdust.
3. Remove the table insert.
4. Loosen the arbor nuts using the arbor wrenches that came with your saw.
5. Carefully remove the blade and set it aside.
6. Remove the two cap screws that secure the dust collection chute using a 5mm hex wrench.
7. Remove and set aside the dust collection chute.
8. Remove the two screws that secure the mounting plate of the saw.
9. Open the door to the saw cabinet. Then, using a 12mm wrench or socket, loosen the two belt tension screws.
10. Turn the height adjustment handle four turns to lower the arbor.
11. Remove the old belt and observe for any cuts or damages.
12. Replace it with a new one. You can buy a replacement for around $10 on Amazon.
13. Tighten the tension bolts you loosened earlier.
14. Check for proper tension on your newly installed belt by applying tension on the outer part of the center. A properly installed belt should have about ⅛ inches of inward deflection.
15. Reinstall the mounting plate and dust collection chute.
16. Raise the arbor, and reinstall your table insert.

 

Pulley problems

If your table saw makes a grinding sound, the set screws of the pulley might be due for a change. Follow these steps to fix it:

1. Ensure you disconnect power from your table saw.
2. Disconnect the belt from the pulley using the steps highlighted above.
3. Loosen the nut that holds the pulley on.
4. Remove the pulley from the shaft.
5. Examine if they are bent or crushed.
6. Remove the pulleys and see if the set screw threads are damaged.
7. If so, you need to get a replacement. They cost about $5 a piece on Amazon.

 

Bad bearings

Either bearing on the arbor could get damaged and cause a grinding noise. The repair is best done with a wrench and a professional bearing puller. However, as a DIY enthusiasts, we can improvise. Follow these steps:

1. For safety, disconnect your saw from the power source.
2. Remove the top of your table saw by unscrewing the screws in the four corners.
3. Carefully lift off the top and set it aside.
4. Loosen the nut that holds the pulley on.
5. Slide the pulley off, remove the key and keep it in a safe place.
6. Remove the bushing on the shaft and set it aside.
7. Remove the screw that holds the bearing in place.
8. Using a mallet and a wood spacer, gently tap the arbor out of the trunnion.
9. Remove the second bearing, and use the sleeve on the arbor to tap it out.
10. Use a parallel clamp to press the new bearing into place.
11. Turn the arbor upside down, and hold it down with a wrench on a table.
12. Use a mallet to hit the arbor until the bearing comes off.
13. Install the new bearing using a socket or wooden space to drive the bearing into place. Replacement bearings costs around $25 for a pair.
14. Reseat the arbor into the trunnion by using the mallet.
15. Reinsert the bushing, key, and pulley back into place.
16. Tighten the nut that holds the pulley into place.
17. Return the top of the table saw, securing it with the four screws you removed earlier

 

Why is my table saw making a bearing noise?

The reason why your table saw is making a bearing noise is because of bearing problems due to significant use and a damaged arbor.

Bearing problems

Bearings support the rotating shaft of the motor in your table saw. They maintain the correct position for the shaft, reduce friction between the rotating parts and make the movement smoother.

If you have had your table saw for a while, continuous use causes wear and tear to the balls inside the bearings. This interferes with their smooth rotation and causes a grinding noise.

 

Damaged arbor

A damaged arbor could cause bearing noise in a table saw even though the problem is usually with the bearing. The problem is caused by the accumulation of dust and the long use of the table saw.

Fixing them follows the same step as highlighted for the bearing problems. Instead of reinstalling new bearings, you swap out the arbor for a new one.

 

How to fix a table saw that is making a bearing noise?

Either bearing on the arbor could get damaged and cause a grinding noise. The repair is best done with a wrench and a professional bearing puller. However, as a DIY enthusiasts, we can improvise. Follow these steps:

1. For safety, disconnect your saw from the power source.
2. Remove the top of your table saw by unscrewing the screws in the four corners.
3. Carefully lift off the top and set it aside.
4. Loosen the nut that holds the pulley on.
5. Slide the pulley off, remove the key and keep it in a safe place.
6. Remove the bushing on the shaft and set it aside.
7. Remove the screw that holds the bearing in place.
8. Using a mallet and a wood spacer, gently tap the arbor out of the trunnion.
9. Remove the second bearing, and use the sleeve on the arbor to tap it out.
10. Use a parallel clamp to press the new bearing into place.
11. Turn the arbor upside down, and hold it down with a wrench on a table.
12. Use a mallet to hit the arbor until the bearing comes off.
13. Install the new bearing using a socket or wooden space to drive the bearing into place. Replacement bearings costs around $25 for a pair.
14. Reseat the arbor into the trunnion by using the mallet.
15. Reinsert the bushing, key, and pulley back into place.
16. Tighten the nut that holds the pulley into place.
17. Return the top of the table saw, securing it with the four screws you removed earlier

 

Why is my table saw making a loud noise?

Your table saw could make a loud noise when the blade is out of balance and starts to wobble as it cuts through the wood.  Another reason your table saw is making a loud noise is because the blade that you are using is blunt. 

 

A blade that is out of balance

A blade that is out of balance wobbles as it cuts through the wood. It also cuts the material at an angle, increasing the amount of noise from the contact.

 

A blade that is not sharp

A blade with a rounded edge signifies that you need to sharpen it. In addition, the blade might start to tear or splinter your wood.

A blade that is not sharp causes your miter saw to sound like the wood is being tortured. This creates a disturbing loud noise.

 

How to fix a table saw that is making a loud noise?

Sharpen the blade

Often, your blade will need resharpening to overcome the loud noise. You might not have the tools and expertise for this, so take it to a saw blade sharpening expert.

 

Replace the blade

If the damage to the blade is too significant and has caused it to lose its balance. You need to remove it and replace it with a new one. They come correctly balanced out from the factory. Follow these steps:

1. Disconnect your table saw from a power source.
2. Remove the table insert.
3. Loosen the arbor nuts using the arbor wrenches that came with your saw.
4. Carefully remove the blade and set it aside.
5. Reinstall the new blade; they cost around $30 on Amazon.
6. Tighten the arbor nuts and replace the table insert.

 

Why is the table saw making a noise when breaking?

Your table saw is making a noise while breaking because the bearing is bad. If you have had your table saw for some time, the wear and tear to the small balls inside the bearings could interfere with the smooth rotation of your blades and cause noise while braking.

You could often fix this by changing the bearings. They are available on Amazon for around $25 a pair.

Why is my Dewalt table saw making a noise?

Your Dewalt table saw is making a grinding or bearing noise because of problems with the belt, pulley, arbor, or a bad bearing. A damaged or blunted blade can also cause noise to get louder. Follow the steps below to fix it:

1. First, turn off your Dewalt table saw.
2. Inspect the teeth of the blade for any blunting or bending. Then, sharpen or replace it using the steps highlighted above.
3. Check the pulley and arbor to see if they need to be changed.
4. Replace the bearing with one compatible with a Dewalt table saw using the steps above.

 

Why is my Delta table saw making a noise?

Your Delta table saw is making a grinding or bearing noise because of problems with the belt, pulley, arbor, or a bad bearing. A damaged or blunted blade can also cause noise to get louder. Follow the steps below to fix it:

1. First, turn off your Delta table saw.
2. Inspect the teeth of the blade for any blunting or bending. Then, sharpen or replace it using the steps highlighted above.
3. Check the pulley and arbor to see if they need to be changed.
4. Replace the bearing with one compatible with a Delta table saw using the steps above.