Craftsman Flex Drive Table Saw

**2ponyranch** · 03-21-2007, 08:56 AM

Hi All-
Does anyone out there have any experience with a Craftsman flex drive table saw(direct drive via cable instead of belt)? Its about 25 years old. Ok, now don't laugh...it has served me well.
I'm getting ready to replace the cable just because it is 25 years old...(why wait till it breaks) and was wondering if anyone knew a trick to quiet it down. It chatters when you first start it and I was told this was normal so I got used to it. Just curious again now that I am going to change it and thought it might be worth throwing out to this forum's "Brain Trust"

Thanks!
Judy

**handi** · 03-21-2007, 04:38 PM

Judy,

The chatter is normal and there is no solution that would not be dangerous/highly complex. The flex shaft is basically a spring, (just like in a weed whacker) and it has to absorb then release the torque of the start up. You MIGHT be able to use a variable speed switch like a router switch to start the saw slowly and bring it up to full speed, but that may fry the motor depending on the type.

You can eliminate some of the noise by lubricating the spring. White lithium is usually recommended, but molybdenum (sp?) chain lube for motorcycles tends to soak into the spring better. (The spring unit has wire bundled around a core spring) Remove the shaft, lay it onto a piece of plastic or tin foil and soak it good. Then wipe it down with a clean rag to remove excess oil (you don't want it going into bearings and such) then re-install.

Hope this helps,

Ralph

**Johanna** · 03-21-2007, 06:59 PM

Dang! Ralph, you know about all kinds of weird stuff!

**2ponyranch** · 03-21-2007, 08:46 PM

Thanks Ralph! I'll do that when I put the new one in in a few days. I'll be tearing it down for a complete clean out and tune up. I knew one of you would know what I was talking about.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

**2ponyranch** · 03-22-2007, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the input Rod,I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with a flex drive. Most folks look at me funny at the mention of it . I plan on keeping it unless I win Rocklers' workshop thingy or the lottery as it does work well.
How many times did you pinch your fingers between the fence and that open grid on the table extention? What were they thinking when they designed that?

Thanks,
Judy

**handi** · 03-22-2007, 09:34 PM

Dont feel bad Judy, I got my finger squished in the miter slot when moving the fence on a Powermatic this week... And I do woodworking for a living!

Ralph

**handi** · 03-22-2007, 09:36 PM

Johanna,

My wife refers to me as "A font of useless knowledge!" [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Suffice it to say I've had a varied carreer.

Ralph