Circular saws are a trusty power tool to have in your shed, they can cut through any material and are a great household tool to have for any emergency DIY projects, but what do you do when your saw suddenly stops working?
If your circular saw has stopped working out of nowhere then it is likely down to the motor or blade inside of the housing of the special tool or it could be a voltage issue that needs troubleshooting.
In our troubleshooting guide below we will cover the main reasons which might be causing your saw not to function and how to fix them with our easy solutions.
Common Reasons Why Your Circular Saw Has Stopped
As we mentioned above, the most common reasons as to why your circular saw is not working are down to the blade and the motor, however, it is important to check all possible causes such as the workpiece itself and any voltage problems.
We have explored the common causes in more detail down below as well as how to troubleshoot your tool to identify the cause.
You Are Using a Bad Work Piece
One of the first causes which might be causing your saw to stop is if you are using a piece of wood with knots in which the blade cannot pass through, you should additionally ensure that this wood is fitted correctly.
Make sure the piece is not thicker than the depth of cut set for the blade for cutting.
The Voltage Is Too High
If the voltage is too high for your circular saw then it might mean the saw does not have enough current power to work due to the damage from the extra-high-voltage. It’s worth checking the power cord of your saw too and checking for any damage due to improper outlet voltage.
It’s The Blade
There are several reasons as to why your blade might be causing your saw to stop. First of all, check that the blades clutch or bolts are not loose which are responsible for holding the blade, this would stop the motor from working properly, therefore, stopping the tool.
Your blade could be too dull too meaning it is not sharp enough to cut the material or it might be being pinched if the workpiece is clamped at either end causing the blade to stick to the material and not move.
Check The Motor
If the motor of your saw is damaged then this might also be causing motor performance power issues in your tool, this could be down to the motor arbour or the motor brass, sometimes these parts can wear down over time or become blocked with brass, either way, it is worth opening up your saw and checking.
Troubleshooting Tool Step By Step Guide
- Step one – Check for any blockages on the circular saw.
- Step two – Look for any damage to the power cord of the saw.
- Step three – Inspect the blades for any signs of overheating and allow the machine to cool down.
- Step four – Check the power switch and fuse safety switch button to make sure they have not had switch button failure.
- Step five – Use an Ohmmeter to check the cords voltage.
How To Fix Your Broke Circular Saw
Once you have identified the cause of why your circular saw is not working, fixing it should be pretty simple, we have listed some fool-proof methods for fixing your tool below.
Change The Oil
Changing the grease and engine oil of your circular saw is standard maintenance for the tool, solidified grease can cause power issues with your tool and no oil can cause too much friction which can lead your tool to overheat, so make sure to change both when fixing your saw.
Replace The Motor Brass & Arbor
Trying to repair the motor brass and arbor on a circular saw is not easy and it is a much better solution to just replace either part if you suspect it’s why your saw is not functioning. Replace old carbon brushes too, these bad brushes might not be turning the shafts properly.
Change The Blade & Tighten
If you have loose clutches or bolts then tighten them up till they are secure, you should also sharpen your blade or replace it if it is worn down or damaged. Make sure you are using the right kind of blade size for the saw.
How To Maintain Your Circular Saw
One way to stop your circular saw from having problems is by maintaining it correctly this will help you to avoid moving parts getting damaged or blockages from lack of cleaning.
We have listed some tips for keeping your saw in the best shape possible down below.
- Clean & sharpen the blades – The blade of your need to be cleaned and sharpened often to prevent them from getting worn down and reducing their efficiency.
- Lubricate often – Oiled saws work better and have a longer lifespan, they also stop parts from wearing down too quickly.
- Check the electric cord – Inspect the power cord always for any nicks or damage, make this a habit.
- Blow it – Now and then make sure to blow your saw with compressed air to loosen any stuck dirt and dust,
- Check the shoe – The shoe of your circular is where the plate is where you set the material on your tool, this should always be free of any debris and tightened up including the arbor bolt too.
Final Words
Overall, if your circular saw is not working always inspect the blade and motor first and follow our troubleshooting guide above the narrow down the problem, never try and force your saw through material otherwise this could end up damaging the power tool even more.
We would always recommend marinating your saw often to avoid problems such as a dull blade and low engine oil.
