Hitachi tablesaw stuck at 7 degrees???

[Bartlebyboo]

I have a head scratcher that I haven’t been able to figure out for a while now. I’m hopeful I am missing something obvious...

About 2 years ago I pulled my hitachi job site table saw out to work on a project. I noticed the blade was on about a 7 degree angle. I went to the crank to get it to zero and it wouldn’t budge. It moved fine to increase the angle, but would not crank anywhere less than 7 degrees.

I flipped it over and it has a stop at the end of the screw adjustment that it was against. The stop is at the end of the screw, so there is nowhere else for the saw to go to get to zero degrees. I’ve included a pic taken from directly below the blade showing the adjustment screw maxed at the stop.

I have no clue what happened, but this one is baffling me and I’m hoping someone else owns this saw and can tell me if something looks off.

 

[derosa]

My hitachi goes about 7 degrees past 0, have you maybe just not turned it enough the other direction and assumed which way it should go?

 

[The Cobbler]

look for something bent or loose is all I can suggest

 

[Bartlebyboo]

Yeah, I’ve tried to turn it the other way completely and the blade actually touches the plastic. This leads me to believe something was shifted about 7 degrees over, but I have examined everything and it all looks completely normal. It is seriously the most bizarre thing I think I’ve encountered.

 

[larry_g]

First question, have you ever seen this saw work correctly at zero angle? Or is this new out of the box?

I would look real close at the thrust bearing on the left side of the screw in picture one. I'd guess that it has slipped there or was never correct. Loosen the collar and slide the whole screw to the right till it is just past zero and then retighten the collar.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[SGKent]

have you checked it with a square to make sure the gauge is reading correctly?

Has anyone had any part of it apart?

Has it suffered any damage in that area which could have bent the arm?

View media item 101971

 

[Shiftless]

Yeah, like SGKent said, just crank the blade all the way up and check it with one of these.
Look for something bent.
Saw is unplugged isn’t it?

 

[Bartlebyboo]

First question, have you ever seen this saw work correctly at zero angle? Or is this new out of the box?

I would look real close at the thrust bearing on the left side of the screw in picture one. I'd guess that it has slipped there or was never correct. Loosen the collar and slide the whole screw to the right till it is just past zero and then retighten the collar.

lg
no neat sig line

Yes, I bought it brand new about 12 years ago. Worked flawlessly at 0 and all other angles until this issue a couple years ago. I’m assuming the bearing you’re talking about is the one where it is fixed to the saw frame. I have looked at this in detail and nothing looks off. I may have to take it apart to see in detail though.

have you checked it with a square to make sure the gauge is reading correctly?

Has anyone had any part of it apart?

Has it suffered any damage in that area which could have bent the arm?

Yes, I have checked. I installed a wood floor in a few rooms a couple months back. I was still able to use it since the flooring was so thin, so a slight angle on the edge didn’t matter. I’m the only one who uses it. I’ve never taken it apart and I know I have never damaged it. I’m kind of a nut about keeping my tools nice.

Also, I just went and looked and that piece at the end just had some grease on it. It looks broken in the pic, but once I wiped it off it is flawless.

 

[Chucktin]

Well what ever happened need to be fixed. Time for a through inspection.

I would first remove the blade and lay it flat on a reasonably flat surface to check it.

Then I'd put a carpenter's square against the saw chassis. Check all 4 sides and vertical for distortion from true.

Then I'd look at the angle screw and it's fittings at the Arbor and the Adjustment wheel. Is there debris on the screw jamming the mechanism? Is the outboard but still captured properly, is there debris there? Has the outboard nut mount been bent inward toward the Arbor?

Then I'd look at the inner threads of both arbor nuts - are they intact and clear?

Finally is the arbor snug against the saw top, are the mount screws in place and snug, and nothing has become jammed between the arbor and the top?

Lot of work but that should show the location of the problem. By the by - have you checked to see if parts are still available?

 

[Voi]

How does the piece circled attach to the flat piece in the back?

It looks like if it were centered it would shift the blade towards zero.

What is the model number of this saw? A parts diagram might shed some light on other attachment points up towards the table that might have allowed this movement.

 

[claymont]

Yes, I bought it brand new about 12 years ago. Worked flawlessly at 0 and all other angles until this issue a couple years ago. I’m assuming the bearing you’re talking about is the one where it is fixed to the saw frame. I have looked at this in detail and nothing looks off. I may have to take it apart to see in detail though.



Yes, I have checked. I installed a wood floor in a few rooms a couple months back. I was still able to use it since the flooring was so thin, so a slight angle on the edge didn’t matter. I’m the only one who uses it. I’ve never taken it apart and I know I have never damaged it. I’m kind of a nut about keeping my tools nice.

Also, I just went and looked and that piece at the end just had some grease on it. It looks broken in the pic, but once I wiped it off it is flawless.

Manual> Hitachi C10RA3

Loosen the set screws in the collar on the end of the screw and see if it tilts far enough. That collar is what sets the 0° for the saw. Check the setting with a square. You don't actually need that collar if you set the pointer accurately.

 

[Dingleburry]

Shim the feet by 7 degrees

 

[RTM]

Manual> Hitachi C10RA3

Loosen the set screws in the collar on the end of the screw and see if it tilts far enough. That collar is what sets the 0° for the saw. Check the setting with a square. You don't actually need that collar if you set the pointer accurately.

Yup, that look like the right answer from Reading.