Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 24, 2005 12:42am | #1

   Yup. Ya fried it terminally..for what a rebuild can cost,yer halfway to a new saw...(G)

    

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   "Sell your cleverness, Purchase Bewilderment"...Rumi

2. 
   UncleDunc | Mar 24, 2005 12:44am | #2

   If changing the brushes doesn't help, then we can talk about buying a new Bosch. Unless you want to buy a new Bosch, in which case the Skil is clearly on its last legs.

3. 
   MikeCallahan | Mar 24, 2005 01:03am | #3

   Skilsaws are normally bombproof. Change the blade, the brushes and the gear oil. I bet it will run like new.

   Mike Callahan, Lake Tahoe, Ca.
4. 
   coonass | Mar 24, 2005 01:03am | #4

   David,
   Mine was doing the same. Took it to repair shop and he stuck an armature stone in while it was running and cut the armature. That was 10 years ago.

   KK

5. 
   4Lorn1 | Mar 24, 2005 02:07am | #5

   Absolutely. Gone.

   Your best move is to begin a strict regiment of therapy involving a regular schedule of, I know this is going to be tough, forced tool buying. It is going to be touch and go but if you stick to the therapy within a few months and few thousand dollars you will be feeling much better.

6. 
   CAGIV | Mar 24, 2005 03:00am | #6

   of course it's time to buy the new Bosch, that  goes with out saying

   you should still change the brushes, the oil and keep it as a beater saw for demo, concrete, etc

   

1. 
   davidmeiland | Mar 24, 2005 03:09am | #7

   I was going by there anyway, so I stopped at the repair shop and they say they can absolutely fix it. They stock the armature and apparently that and brushes should do it.

   I think I will buy the Bosch also, and demote the Skil to rebar saw. Reconditioned Bosch Direct Connect version is $155.

1. 
   MSA1 | Apr 02, 2005 06:07am | #15

   Reconditioned Bosch for $155? I have the direct connect (bought new) and I think I only paid $130 not including cord.

1. 
   davidmeiland | Apr 02, 2005 07:14am | #18

   Well... I ain't seem 'em for anywhere near that money. If you have a link where I can get a new one for $130, I'll send you a gift certificate for a six pack.

1. 
   MSA1 | Apr 03, 2005 05:09am | #21

   I got mine at Lowes. I know it was less than $155. I didnt check the receipt, but my excel line item was for $167 and I remember buying a new yellow jacket cord at the same time.

   Check it out. Its been a little while since I got it, but I'm pretty sure its was around $130.

2. 
   gregb | Apr 03, 2005 06:08am | #22

   Worm drive or sidewinder?

3. 
   MSA1 | Apr 04, 2005 04:15am | #23

   Sidewinder. Did I miss something in your first post? Are you looking for a Worm-drive?

4. 
   davidmeiland | Apr 04, 2005 07:15am | #24

   Wormdrive, definitely. They can't be had for $130. I doubt you can even get a sidewinder west of the Mississippi.

7. 
   JohnSprung | Mar 24, 2005 03:13am | #8

   Clean up the commutator with croacus cloth if you change the brushes.  If that revives it, you still need to think about whether to depend on it as your main saw, or get a new one and use the old one as a beater.

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   jrnbj | Apr 02, 2005 12:31am | #9

   How many other old farts here even know what crocus cloth is?
   And do any of them know why it's called that?

1. 
   Sphere | Apr 02, 2005 01:41am | #11

   This O.F. knows it, and why it is named or referred to such, but , this O.F. ain't talkin.  Evidence my dea Watson, evidence. 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   "Sell your cleverness, Purchase Bewilderment"...Rumi

1. 
   jrnbj | Apr 02, 2005 06:17am | #17

   oh fine, be that way.....

2. 
   JohnSprung | Apr 02, 2005 01:50am | #12

   Hmmm -- I don't know why it's called that, or how to spell it.  But I did just fart.....  ;-)

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   FramerT | Apr 02, 2005 04:55am | #13

   Have a brand new Bosch sitting in my closet....needs a home. Not the cordless one though.Ahh, what was the question?

1. 
   davidmeiland | Apr 02, 2005 05:05am | #14

   OK, here's what happened. $115 repair and it works like new. That includes replacing the armature and brushes, replacing the handle and trigger assembly, installing a 25-foot 12-gauge extension cord as the power cord (I provided), changing the oil, and fixing the depth-of-cut adjuster to make it work smoothly. Spent more than I wanted to (a new one's about $170 for the mag version, plus tax and shipping), but I deal with a repair shop that's somewhat unpredictable in terms of what they will charge--sometimes repairs are almost free, sometimes they're too expensive, but they are always good and always next day if I ask. Like I said, it's literally like new in function, a pleasure to use for the first time in years.  I gave them a slight earful about spending that much without calling me to OK it, and left it at that.

   I'm still gonna get the Bosch. How much you want for that one you have? I think there's a handle conversion to the Direct-Connect system...?

3. 
   paule38 | Apr 02, 2005 04:58pm | #19

   I know what it is...not sure why it's called that though, and it would be interesting to know.........I used the term here in Oklahoma and they look at me with that quizzical puppy dog look, heads cocked to one side, you know the deal...I did the same the 1st time someone here called plastic sheeting visqueen.......If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

1. 
   jrnbj | Apr 02, 2005 06:56pm | #20

   yup, same with me on the visqueen....big huh? from me the first time I heard that one....

1. 
   paule38 | Apr 04, 2005 04:54pm | #27

   wonder where the term visqueen comes from anyway...maybe one of the fine purveyors of knowledge on here can assist, because I have no clue...why is visqueen called visqueen???? Did it used to be a brand name???? Help!!!If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

2. 
   woodguy99 | Apr 04, 2005 10:14pm | #29

   I wondered that too.  Apparently it's a brand name.

   http://www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk/

    

   Mike

3. 
   UncleDunc | Apr 05, 2005 06:21pm | #35

   >> wonder where the term visqueen comes from anyway ...Google is your friend.http://www.visqueenbuilding.co.uk/

4. 
   paule38 | Apr 05, 2005 07:27pm | #36

   not meaning to show my ignorance, I've done enough of that already...but where is the "Queen City" In all my years I've never heard of it......spent most of my life in the northeast...If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

5. 
   ACI | Apr 05, 2005 10:55pm | #40

   Charlotte, NC is the Queen City.

6. 
   paule38 | Apr 05, 2005 10:59pm | #41

   Thank you...spent some time at Camp Lejeune back in the mid 80's..nice state...really liked the beaches on the weekend...even made the trip to Ft Bragg a couple times.....If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

7. 
   jrnbj | Apr 06, 2005 01:12am | #42

   Buffalo gals wontcha come out tonight....
   you sure you're a NY'er.....

8. 
   paule38 | Apr 06, 2005 05:21pm | #43

   Sure I'm sure.....and every day I wake up here I feel the longing for the clean crisp northeast air, real trees, etc. Some days I feel I've been dropped off in the middle of nowhere with no chance of finding my way out.....unless you've ever been here you can't possibly know what I'm talking about, and I don't say that in a bad manner either..this place is like true culture shock.........If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

9. 
   jrnbj | Apr 06, 2005 05:55pm | #44

   Heck, everyone else is trying to leave the Vampire State....moving to Fla.,N.C., or Vegas
   Know what you mean, though...I been to Oklahoma oncet er twicet...

2. 
   cicero | Apr 04, 2005 02:22pm | #25

   Interesting you lot like the Bosch line,tradesmen here drool  over Makitas (NZ)

1. 
   paule38 | Apr 04, 2005 04:37pm | #26

   I've seen some makita circular saws on job sites here but they never seem to be as durable as the Milwaukees, PC's, etc....and the reviews from most here on the Bosch are fantastic.....I've seen a couple of them on sites and they're a well made unit.......it may replace my milwaukee in time......If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

2. 
   cicero | Apr 04, 2005 10:11pm | #28

   We don't see PC at all or Milwaukee.All I can say is,I like the price of your tools.

3. 
   paule38 | Apr 04, 2005 10:36pm | #30

   Strange how that works....around the Oklahoma City area we're flooded with almost everything BUT Makita...sure you see them for sale, but not on the scale of the other big brands..The last Makita Circular saw I looked at was only 13 amps..most of the big boys use a 15 amp motor.....maybe that's got something to do with it. I know it's not the amps, it's the watts, but they don't list watts anymore on the labels....the amp rating is all you get anymore....and I'm sure somebody will tell me that the watts are the true rating of a tool's durability, I'm no electrician so if somebody would jump in here it would be appreciated......If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

4. 
   cicero | Apr 04, 2005 11:36pm | #31

   Strange indeed,all still quoted in watts here.

   Black and Decker seem to be taking over everything DeWalt,Elu in gemany,I have three Elu tools bought b4 B&D takeover,just the best.Did I see the were taking over PC?

5. 
   paule38 | Apr 04, 2005 11:48pm | #32

   Yeah, BD took over PC last summer...too bad because I think they'll ruin the name. Lots of conflict here on the Dewalt line..most guys I know use them even though they don't last. I've got a Dewalt compound miter saw, and it's good, but I've had a PC 19.2 volt cordless used on commercial construction for 5 years now and have never had to replace batteries or the like, but the dewalt users are replacing them every year....I was in the market recently for a replacement for my PC as it's finally starting to wear down somewhat and with the cost of 2 new batts I can practically buy a new complete package...so not wanting to trust PC I thought I'd give Ridgid a try, and Bosch is also talked of highly here and on the job site....the Ridgid's got a 90 day unconditional and a 3 year warranty, so it won't take long to find out if I made a good choice...I got the drill, cordless saw, flashlight, 2 batts and a 1/2 hour charger for $299.00, and got a rebate slip for a free 3rd battery by mail so I think it's a good deal...
   Wish I knew more about wattage, can't wait till this evening when I hope somebody chimes in......If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

6. 
   cicero | Apr 05, 2005 12:56pm | #33

   There was an extremely good article on batteries in FWW,explained how battries differed.Cheap ones were not matched etc.

   The price you paid is brilliant for your new drill,quite jealous.

   I have two Bosch drills,one green $200 handy man job and blue $400 the pro one,work well but the batteries in both lasted 12 months,so not very happy.

   To get batteries re packed is $70 each,may look at that,the company use Panasonic replacement ones,supposed to be top end.

7. 
   paule38 | Apr 05, 2005 06:08pm | #34

   So far I'm pretty happy with the Ridgid...the one thing I've noticed about it though is that when the batteries go dead, they go dead quick, guess thats the difference in newer technology. The old PC batteries always went dead slowly, over the course of 5 minutes or so, these batteries are working fine one screw, and the next are dead, literally.They charge up fast (1/2 hour) and seem to last a satisfactory amount of time, they're still going through that new battery cycle, meaning they aren't still carrying a full charge. The past few weeks since I've bought it I haven't used it as much as I normally do due to the type of work I'm currently doing.The one complaint I've got about the drill is the reverse/forward switch. You've got to have a delicate touch to get it into the neutral position to lock the trigger. Seems like I'm always trying to get it locked at days end and always push it too far, the throw of the switch is real short and takes getting used to. Torque is almost scary, woe be the guy thats using it with a large wood bit and have it catch in the material you're drilling. I'm a pretty big guy and have a hard time hanging onto it when it does catch....If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....

8. 
   intrepidcat | Apr 05, 2005 09:09pm | #37

   Welcome to BreakTime!

   I look forward to hearing about your building techniques in NZ.

     

   "Affairs on the border cannot be judged by standards that hold elsewhere."

9. 
   cicero | Apr 05, 2005 10:52pm | #39

   I am not a builder,just make observations on how many ways to skin a cat.:-)

4. 
   gstringe | Apr 05, 2005 09:24pm | #38

   This OF says it is esentially cloth based sandpaper or emery cloth.  Usually very fine for the final polish of metal.  Might have been named that from the original cloth used for the purpose, like the rough cloth that crocus sacks were made of??

    
   I like your approach....now lets see your departure

8. 
   awschmidt | Apr 02, 2005 12:41am | #10

   yep it is dead.  you can mail it for recycling (into a 12" beam saw) to Kevin @ AW Schmidt co;>)  I'll even pay the shipping to ease the "pain" of the bosch purchase.  

    

    

   ---

   Edited 4/1/2005 5:42 pm ET by AWSCHMIDT

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/1/2005 5:42 pm ET by AWSCHMIDT

9. 
   dinothecarpenter | Apr 02, 2005 06:16am | #16

   Hi David.

   Bosch is offering a new warmdrive for your old skill.

   But I think the offer expires tonight? I'm not sure, you better call them.

   I got mine last week. Why they need the broken Skills?

   Good luck.

10. 
    Fonzie | Apr 20, 2005 05:15am | #45

    My guess is your bearing closest to the communicator got dry (they go dry first due to heat), wore, allowed shaking, heat built up, armature possibly has blown.

    It's best to let it die in my opinion. I bet you'll like a new one.