No breaks!!

[ed kerns]

I've been working on a quick project in the shop that requires quite a few 'sneak up on it' cuts with my Dewalt chop saw. About half way through the process, I notice the blade is still coasting when I release the trigger. A bit strange, but not alarming. Fast forward a couple of hours and now the break is working again. No doubt the saw is due for a good cleaning and I will have a closer look soon. Mean time, any of you guys know what gives?

[Banditt]

I would check your brushes.

[AlanBienlein]

The problem is dirt in the extra set of contacts in the switch that is used to activate the braking of the blade. Same thing happens on my hitachi and I just blow it out to get it to work again.

[ed kerns]

Thanks guys. The saw has earned a good cleaning. I'll blow it out and see what happens.

[Redman]

My Dewalt will do that occasionally. I just give the switch a quick squeeze and release and the brake works. I also don't lift the blade until it does stop.

[ed kerns]

I agree its a good practice not to lift the saw till the blade stops. I wonder if there is a list of which tools are involved in the most accidents in a typical wood shop? I've always thought that because of the 'quick and dirty' nature of a compound miter saw, it must be reponsible for it's share of missing digits. And yes I know it is not the tool that is at fault but the operator!

[BandSawyer]

My Hitachi does the same thing. I guess I will blow it out now that I know what it is.