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Worn Table Saw Arbor Fix, $2 Fix
I’ve used my table saw hard for the past 35 years. Its arbor (the shaft where the blade mounts) is now worn badly due to changing saw blades as often as I have, and that concerns me. It looks like there aren’t enough threads for the arbor nut to grab any more. The last thing I want is for the blade to come loose while I’m sawing. I imagine a saw blade zinging through my shop like a Frisbee, and that would not be pretty! I’ve been monitoring the cumulative wear for the past few years, and I anticipated and dreaded the day when I would need to replace the table saw’s arbor. Last time I checked the cost of a new arbor was $125, add in the time and work to change the arbor, and it becomes a major undertaking. So there I am one day recently standing in front of my table saw and looking at the arbor shaft, and I realize all I need to do is shift the locking nut leftwards on to the seldom-used section of threads; and if I can do that, then I solve the problem for another 35 years. That should be good enough!
This close up shows the severely worn center section of threads. The left section of threads is almost pristine since they’ve had only minor use, and the right side threads have never had any use since that’s where the saw bade and outer flange mount. It’s those threads just a little to the left of the arbor flange that concern me. That’s where the table saw arbor nut lives.
I made a quick trip to my local hardware store and found this two dollar 5/8″ x 1/2″ long shaft collar, which matches the diameter of the table saw arbor. I removed and discarded the collar’s setscrew, placed the collar between the outer flange and the locking nut, and then tightened the nut. All is good again! I’ve moved the arbor nut’s threading point 1/2″ to the left. Simple.
Another option I found on eBay is a Mini Bike/Go Kart axel bushing. I bought one that is 1/4″ long. Now I can alternate using either the 1/2″ long shaft collar or the 1/4″ long bushing, and that will extend the life of my table saw’s arbor longer yet. To find the axel bushing, search eBay for “5/8” ID Steel Axle Bushing.
I'm interested in getting a new table saw and need to know what to look for.
My blade is stuck in the shaft how do I get it out, and how do I fix my skill tablesaw.
The nut it self seems to be very thin from what I'm use to
There has been no mention of the condition of the nut. Threads wear on both the arbor and the nut. The nut may be heat treated to harden it to a higher Rockwell number but it should be looking at carefully, so your sense of security isn't a false sense of security. With regard to the arbor being repaired, this should be no problem for a good machine shop. Once the shaft has been built up to the correct diameter, machined and threaded it can be restored to its correct hardness with the proper heat treatment process.
Less bulk if a washer or two were placed on the right side of the blade ,pushing it over to some "fresh threads" jim
Great information throughout,it's good to have guys like your good self, around to help us guys that have less experience, and to give us good safety advice also, Thank you so much.
I have a similar problem but mine is only noticible with my stacked dado. My bottoms are showing ridges even with a $300 dado set. I was wondering if a machine shop could build up the arbor and recut the threads. My arbor is no longer available.
Not only does it change the position of the arbor nut, but it also reduces the time necessary to screw the nut on as far, which is a bonus in the close quarters of most table saws.
Not a bad fix, provided the saw isn't European spec with a short arbor shaft to prevent us using dado cutters. I would have been tempted to leave the lock screw in the collar as a fail safe. I can't help wondering if a second nut, or a deeper nut with more threads, would have achieved the same thing?
Since this appears to move your saw blade outboard by the thickness of your collar, you then have make up some new throat plates, yes? Also, I'm wondering if that small collar stabilizes the blade well enough compared to the flange that has a much larger diameter. Is it safe? Do you notice any wobble in the blade during use?