Circular saw maintenance

[JDgreen227]

Every 4 or 5 years, during the winter, I bring in my numerous corded circular saws, take them apart, then clean the debris out and repack the gearcases with disc brake grease. Even on the oldest one, (1983) the owner's manual gives no recommendation for what type of lubricant to use. It states that "no maintenance is required" but the gearcase grease from the factory and what I use gradually thins and leaks out, and from what I have seen, the amount the factory puts in the gearcase is rather limited. I had one new saw (Craftsman 13 amp Sawmill) that was practically dry when I gave it the teardown at four years. Would anyone know of a really, really thick grease that wouldn't become runny and stay in the gearcase? Thanks.

 

[Bird]

I never tore one of mine down. I went with that "no maintenance is required"; however, I did, and still do, use the air-compressor blow gun on any of my saws, drills, sanders, string trimmers, and lawnmowers after each use.

 

[oldnslo]

Have you tried any of the newer synthetic greases? I know the gear box / stroking mechanism on my saws all was dry. At the time I just used marine grade wheel bearing grease. Figured the saw was used in non OSHA approved environments like cutting water lines so the marine grade might hold up a little better. Been several years and probably should check it again.

 

[JDgreen227]

I never tore one of mine down. I went with that "no maintenance is required"; however, I did, and still do, use the air-compressor blow gun on any of my saws, drills, sanders, string trimmers, and lawnmowers after each use.

Smart thing to do...whenever I am done with any tool or lawn care item and the job is done, I use the air compressor blow gun routine with power tools, and an electric blower for blasting the debris and clippings off mowers, tractor, etc.

 

[PILOON]

Well I also do yearly maintenance on all my power tools as well as air tools.
Must say I believe this has saved me many dollars in that most if not all were purchased as used and for the last 20 years I have been professionally doing home renovations and general construction.
Example; my 20 yr old (used) framing nail gun has not needed a single repair nor has my 15 yr old used skill saw.
Also the case with just about all my many tools.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

But then as a tool hound I know brands and quality.
(I have very few B&D except for the old professional ones)

 

[RobertBrown]

Example; my 20 yr old (used) framing nail gun has not needed a single repair nor has my 15 yr old used skill saw.

What kind of framing gun do you have?

 

[deepNdirt]

I've never taken down a saw to re-pack the grease, I have however taken one apart to replace the gear, perhaps the lack of not packing the gear is the reason of its failure the main reason for me not taking time to pack the grease is having available time, most of the hand power tools I use have other issues like trigger-switch failure and at the cost of a new trigger I just buy a complete new saw, for instance a trigger for a Makita circular saw cost around 16.00 and the saw itself cost 89.00 or used to back the last one I purchased, but I need to be working the saw .. not working on the saw and is reason I simply bought new one, at times if I would buy the triggers one of my guys would take the saw home and replace the trigger for me, I have about 5 of these saws in need of triggers, 1 that works currently, But now I have switch to another brand of tool for 4 years and have not a problem with them, ( Hitachi ) I do as others have mentioned blow off the tool after using it, but as far as servicing them .... I use the old saying method,
" if it ain't broken don't fix it "