Compund miter saw - stuck blade bolt

[bram]

I have a 10” Rigid compound miter saw, about a year old, not used that often but used intensively when it is. I’ve never had occasion to change the blade since installing it when I bought the saw. Today I need to change the blade, and I just can’t get the blade bolt loosened. I even brought out a corded drill and tried to loosen the bolt with the highest torque setting, and the drill smoked but the bolt didn’t budge. Any advice on how to get this blade off? Any tricks of the trade I’m not aware of. I really need the saw ASAP.

BTW, yes I do know the blade bolt is reverse threaded, and I’m turning clockwise to loosen. ;-)

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[junkcollector]

I'll have to think about this...

First off, Try some penetrating lubricant. I know... crappy answer. Just curious, are you sure that the bolt has left hand threads? Both my benchtop and stationary table saw, miter saw, and circular saw all have right hand threads. Even if you know for sure it is reverse threads, try tightening it slightly before loosening. Sometimes that breaks it free. Try a tiny bit of heat, say, from a propane torch. Not much though.. To prevent damage to the arbor's bearing. Was there a little cardboard washer on the back side of the blade? Sometimes manufactures do this to prevent the blade from sticking.

Hope someone else has a better answer...:redface:

[Fischer]

Is there a motor lock on that saw?

As junk said, liquid wrench and let it sit.

You can hold the blade stationary with a vise grip, which will lock the blade against the housing and then use a socket wrench. You can apply more power than any drill.

Aslo run you fingernails on the threads to determine if it's a right or left hand thread.

[bram]

Thanks for the replies. Oil isn't doing anything, this bolt is stuck tight. I am sure that it's reverse threaded, there's even a sticker on the saw indiciating that you turn clockwise to loosen, but I've tried both directions with no luck. I haven't had a chance to try heat yet. By motor lock do you mean a button to prevent the blade from spinning when you loosen/tighten the blade bolt? If so then yes, I have such a button, I have bee pressing it, if I don't then the blade just spins when I turn the blade bolt.

I take it from your replies that this is not a common problem? It's weird, becuase this saw hasn't been used thta much, and it's stored indoors, so no rust or anything. The saw is actually under warranty, but I may need to buy a new saw anyway as I can't wait for a warranty repair.

Thanks again.

[BOA]

I've used a plasic (parts hammer) hammer to strike the wrench in the direction to loosen bolts before. Also, a longer lever has helped. Good Luck.

[joed]

Impact wrench maybe.

[Fischer]

Give me a long enough lever and a place to stand and I'll lift the world. I wish I had said that.

Socket wrench with the long arm.

[BOA]

Impact wrench maybe.

I think an impact wrench might mess up the motor lock. That's a lot of force.

But, I'm sure banging on it wouldn't be nice to the lock either.

How does a motor lock work anyway?

[joed]

Take a 2x4 and push/jam the blade down into it. That will jam the blade as you undo the screw. Every saw I own(I guess they are too old for it) does NOT have a motor lock and that is the normal procedure to unscrew a blade.