Sawzall–replace quick-release chuck?
davidmeiland
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Milwaukee Sawzall… about ten years old… quick-release chuck (blade holder) that you rotate about 1/4 turn to insert or remove the blade. Lately it’s almost impossible to get the blade in or out. I don’t see anyway to remove the chuck only… it looks like it’s permanently attached to the shaft, which goes into the housing. Anyone replaced this item themselves? I could drop it off for repair in the morning, or dig a little further and order the part(s). Looking for feedback like ‘that’s a piece of cake… go for it’ or ‘major PITA… don’t bother’
Also, is there a newer/better/easier chuck I could use instead?
Thanks!
Replies
What'd you finally do?
"Live Free,
not Die"
Is the blade holder broken or just sticky? I assume you've tried to lube it up -- with WD-40, Tri-Flow, or the like?
Lube didn't do anything. I downloaded the parts diagram from the Milwaukee site and decided to have the repair shop do it.
I also have an older Sawzall, and have been thinking about seeing if they could fit it with a quick release chuck.What did they charge to replace yours?
It was about $30. I wonder if yours would need to have an entirely new arm attached? There is a GREAT part of the Milwaukee website with parts diagrams and numbers... it would be easy to see where the two models use the same parts and where they don't.
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/us/en/customers.nsf/frmPartsListsSearch?OpenForm&nav1=ps
Thanks for info. You're probably right that the cost would be the quick change chuck, plus whatever part gismo it needs to be fitted to.
I'm pretty sure I heard they made a change in the materials over the last coupla years ... maybe the repair shop will be able to replace with the new "innards" ...
for what it's worth ... I first got a new DeWalt .... used it for one complete back porch tear off and the way the "adjustable foot" was designed ... after one week of good use ... it completely jambed. I fought with it the rest of that job and returned it the very last day of the "30 trial period" ... got the Milwaukee I shoulda got in the first place ...
have been happy since.
wow .. that was about 5 years ago!
time flies ....
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
what is the point of that adjustable foot anyways?? Maybe im missing some valuable info here but I wouldnt really notice if mine were jambed______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
I have replaced this once. It's not all that hard the replacement peice comes with instructions. I can guarantee it's gonna take a couple trys to get the ammount of tension on the spring right. When you've done it once it'll be easier the next time. If you don't need it right away send it to milwakee they've got the lifetime warranty, and they could fix it for you. At the time I didn't have a spare so I had to fix. Now I have three two on the site one in the shop.
getting full use of the blade instead of just burning thru one section then tossing a blade with 75% more life left in it.
also ... just like any other saw ... the right blade and the right blade "depth" makes for a better cut.
I adjust mine all the time to get the right angle of attack.
then again ... I do silly stuff like figure out how to use a sawzaw for cutting baseboard in place .... scoring thru plaster ....taking out some rotted wood while leaving most intact.
Mines as much for surgery as it is for major demo.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
My buddy has a DeWalt 18v recip. The blade lock is on the outside of the body... a nice little thumb lever that tucks in when locked. Great detail. We keep that saw by the trim rack. When you need 3 feet of base and every piece is an 18 or a 20, just grab it and lop off 3 feet.