Replies

1. 
   JRS | Dec 30, 2000 09:36pm | #1

   *
   Wes,

   20 yrs. ago, I put a 10" blade on a 9" Rockwell (had to ease the plastic cover down into the blade to get clearance) and it worked fine-still does as a matter of fact. But the thing you have to watch for is clearance not just above the blade, but below the blade and the start/finish positions also. I'm sure there is a reason Hitachi didn't go 9", but it may be marketing and not technical. I would bet the motor and brake can handle it.

   If you decide to try this, use an old blade, wear a face shield and full body armor, and go very easy for your first cut. And if nothing bad happens, use a thin kerf blade (it has less mass, ergo easier on the motor and brake)

   Because everyone is so sensative to safety liability, I hope you are the only one using this saw, you will expose yourself to liability if anyone gets hurt using it.

   John

1. 
   Nick_Markey | Dec 31, 2000 04:31am | #2

   *Simply enough, DON'T DO IT!!

1. 
   Wes_S. | Dec 31, 2000 04:54am | #3

   *Ace, not good enough. My saw is 10 yrs. old anyway ,is going into the shop for routine maint. /tuneup. I need to know WHY. (By the way , I realize I left the door open for a well placed "You'll need more than a tune-up if you put that blade on") I'm not a joker ( tongue in cheek ) I need reasons.

1. 
   Luka_ | Dec 31, 2000 09:16am | #4

   *Go ahead. Do it. You'll find your 'reasons'.b : )

1. 
   The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Dec 31, 2000 05:07pm | #5

   *Check it out....Life is not with out risks...but this board sure thinks so.near the experimental stream daily,aj

2. 
   Luka_ | Dec 31, 2000 08:00pm | #6

   *I think the difference between Wes and myself is that I wouldn't have asked. I would have put the blade on the thing, plugged it into a switched outlet, (turned off), locked the switch in the on position, clamped the saw down somewhere safe, where the blade could spin freely, (As far from me and any other person as possible), then switched on the outlet. If it didn't spin itself to pieces after a couple minutes running like that, I would have made a couple experimental cuts with all my personal alarm systems set at maximum. (Ready to jump and/or do whatever need be, to keep myself safe). ie, I would have found out my own reasons why or why not to do this, in as safe a fashion as possible.

3. 
   JRS | Dec 31, 2000 11:12pm | #7

   *Wes,I've always been a tinkerer. When I was a kid, it was my bike, sled, slot cars, you name it. Guess I've never given it up. I've done a lot of tool modifications over the years, even knowing I was compromising the warranty. In your case warranty isn't an issue.That 9" Rockwell I put the 10" blade on is a tool I still use on a semi-regular basis. I found another use for it. I put 10" metal cutting blades on it and use it to cut steel studs. It won't die on me. The bearings haven't worn out. If you don't have clearance problems, try it. I wasn't kidding when I said it could be a marketing decision only-they have other saws with 10" and 8 1/2" blades.1/2" increase in diameter only increases blade tooth speed by 6%. If you use a thin kerf blade, you may not increase blade mass at all. I would try it. I doubt it has any negative effect on motor, bearings or cut quality. It's the clearance issue you have to work out!John

4. 
   Nick_Markey | Jan 01, 2001 08:20am | #8

   *Wes, the main reason that I say not to do it is that the saw was designed and built around an 8 1/4" blade. Anything larger may interfere with the guard surrounding the blade and wreak havoc. In all fair honesty, you may in fact be able to get away with this... it's just not something that I would EVER recommend.

5. 
   Wes_S. | Jan 01, 2001 08:56pm | #9

   *I.pretty much got the responses I expected.Thanks! I was thinking along these lines ( if I thought of it someone else must have too ) I also tinker & experiment & was curious if others tried it before I went ahead w/ it. NO one gave me any vyable reasons not to. My concerns were about the effects on the motor .Of course I checked all clearences or I shouldn't have posted in the 1st place! I'm going to do it as soon as I procure a decent blade (prob.forrest) and will post results (If I live) P.S. I love my new panasonic 15.6 v.cordless drill It replaces my 2 makita 9.6s (. 1 will go to my wife .) I like it's compact design & boy does it have testoserone!!! I want another one!! Happy New Year All !!

6. 
   Wes_S. | Jan 01, 2001 09:01pm | #10

   *So why does my post come out as 1 big paragraph of jumble ? I did what the instructions said This isn't the 1st time

7. 
   Luka_ | Jan 01, 2001 09:50pm | #11

   *If you want to start a new paragraph, hit the enter button two or three times. All that extra space may look funky in the edit box, but the board takes care of certains parses, and that's one that it does.

2. 
   Wes_S. | Jan 01, 2001 09:50pm | #12

   *
   Been thinking about this for a long time. There's room in the housing-obviously the next main concern is the motor & brake. It sure would be nice to cut a 4x4 in one pass. Any takers on this one ? Thanks in advance. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!