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My old (1983) Sears 9 inch direct drive table saw is slow on starting. It does get up to speed. You have to flipp the switch on a couple of times. Is it the relay or the motor windings? A new motor is the same price as a new 10 inch saw. I like my old cast iron table. The engine rebuilders also want more than the cost of a new saw. Also not sure where the relay is as it is not in the book that came with the saw. Where I can get another motor for less than a $100.00 if the problem is not the relay?
I don't know about a relay, but usually those motors have an electrolytic capacitor on the side of them. This is used for extra juice on startup, and yours may be dried out. If you can't find a replacement, new motors can usually be found in the Harbor Freight catalogs for pretty cheap. The one in the saw should be a 3/4hp 56 frame motor, pretty standard fare.
Not sure about your motor, but I have worked on a couple of pump motors that had the "relay" on the rear end of the motor shaft. Actually, it was a centrifical (sp) weighted contact set that opened/closed depending on the shaft speed. Try removing the rear cover and look it over. May just need lubircating and cleaning if so equipped.
Dialtone
Since you got a lot of years out of the original one, you might try WW Grainger as they might carry a higher quality motor. Like you, my Craftsman saw is one of the heavy duty cast iron table models and I would rather repair it than trade it in for a new model. Check the motor housing for the data plate and it should give you the specs for a replacement motor.
I work at a electric motor repair shop, and 3 things can cause slow starting.
Bad start capacitor
Dirty switch contacts
dried up sleeve bearings( its a craftsman, so it will most likely have sleeve bearings, they are ALOT cheaper than ball bearings)
So, to rejuvinate your saw motor, take the motor off the saw, take the rear endbell off, blow all the saw dust out of the motor.. then use a dremel to clean the contacts on the start switch, re oil the bearings and give it a shot. If its still not starting right then replace the capacitor.
I can't confirm or deny what the other posters said...don't use a long extension cord, keep the saw as close to the outlet as you can, and use a heavy duty electrical extension cord, the thicker the gauge wires, the better.
Whats' the motor's AMP rating? I had a 10" Rockwell rated at 15 AMPs and the saw often tripped the circuit breaker and was slow at start-up. A long extension cord will drag the power down. Custom make one. Their easy.
Thanks for all the help everyone. The saw seems to be running ok now. Maybe its because I cleaned it with the air compessor the last time before it starting running slow. I have done it before & not had it run or start slow. I will also run a shorter extension cord to it. I had been running a 25 ft rated for 13 amps. The saw is listed at 10 amps.