Table Saw: Blade spins too slow
Worn motor brushes, a faulty drive motor or using an improper extension cord can cause slow motor speed.
Using a long or lightweight extension cord causes a power drop, which decreases motor speed and results in the blade spinning too slow. For a 120-volt table saw plugged into an outlet protected by a 15-amp circuit breaker, extension cord length typically shouldn't exceed 25 feet. Use a shorter or heavy duty extension cord that can handle the current draw of the table saw so the motor spins at the right speed.
Worn carbon motor brushes can prevent the drive motor from running at full speed, so inspect the motor brushes. Replace the motor brushes if they're worn.
If the motor brushes are okay, then an internal motor failure may prevent the motor from spinning the blade at full speed. The motor typically overheats when it has an internal failure. Replace the motor if it overheats and doesn't spin the blade at full speed.
These repairs may help solve your table saw problem
Replace the table saw carbon motor brushes
The spring-loaded motor brushes on the table saw mount against the rotating armature, transferring power to the armature. The motor brushes wear down after about 50 hours of run time. Replace the carbon brushes regularly to keep the motor running smoothly.
If your table saw motor is weak or won't run at all, the motor brushes could be worn. This repair guide and video show how to replace table saw motor brushes.
Replace the table saw drive motor
The table saw blade mounts directly to the drive motor arbor to spin the saw blade for cutting wood. A defective drive motor won't start or it trips the overload. Replace the drive motor if it's defective or worn out.
If your table saw motor won't start, the motor might be worn. This repair guide and video show how to replace a table saw drive motor.
Symptoms for table saws
Repair guides for table saws
Worn motor brushes can make the table saw motor run weak. Here’s how to replace them.
If the table saw isn’t cutting parallel to the miter gauge groove, adjust the cutting blade following the instructions in this repair guide.
You can replace a table saw drive motor that is weak or won't run. Here’s how.
Articles and videos for table saws
Learn how to make basic cuts using a table saw.
Learn some of the basic rules for safely operating a table saw.
Learn how to keep your table saw in good working order