Minimax SC2 sliding table repair...

[Mike Kees]

I am buying a Sc2 sliding saw off a friend ,picking it up this weekend. The sliding table is not real smooth. My plan is to take it apart and clean everything with mineral spirits and then reassemble and lubricate. Has anyone done this ? What if any lubricant are you supposed to use ? Any advice on how to take it apart properly would be great as well. Thanks,Mike.

[Jim Becker]

If you have not done so already, get the manuals off of PartsPronto so you can see how things fit together if you don't have the paper manuals from your seller. That will help you out a lot. (I recently did this for my S315WS when I discovered the original manual, um...disappeared...or more likely got put in a "safe place" so it wouldn't, um...get lost :o ) I'm guessing that a complete cleaning will really help get things moving again.

[Mike Kees]

Jim thanks for the reply. Do you lubricate your slider at all ? Or is it just a keep it clean so it does'nt get gummed up proposition ?I will download the manual from parts pronto. I will be picking up the saw tomorrow. Mike.

[Mike Kreinhop]

Jim thanks for the reply. Do you lubricate your slider at all ? Or is it just a keep it clean so it does'nt get gummed up proposition ?I will download the manual from parts pronto. I will be picking up the saw tomorrow. Mike.

The manual that came with my SC2 is very clear...do not lubricate the slider. Keep it clean by vacuuming any chips or dust and wiping down the bearing surfaces with a cloth.

[Jim Becker]

I just keep it clean...generally with compressed air. :)

[Mike Kees]

So I picked up the saw and a General 260 lathe today. As soon as I was back at my shop I started checking it out and taking the slider apart. It was actually fairly easy to figure out and take apart. Cleaned up the ways and ran my fingers over carefully to check for any burrs ,the whole works slides on a cage that holds on my saw six ball bearings in place. The bearings are in opposing v-grooves with an adjustable alley to take up any slack between the two tracks. The bearings themselves are slightly scared up. the steel "ways" that form the sides of the v-grooves are fine ,smooth with no noticeable wear. Where would one get bearings if parts pronto does not have them ? The riving knife is also gone. Mike.

[Mike Kreinhop]

Here are some screenshots from the 2012 online parts manual. These match with the printed parts manual that came with my 2016 saw.

The bearings are Item 5, and you will need 12 for a complete replacement.

372257

372258

There are two riving knives available for the SC2. One is for the standard shroud and the other is for the suspended shroud. The part number highlighted is for the standard shroud.

372255

372256

If you can't find a source, send me a PM and I'll see what I can do with the local German distributor. I had to order a replacement lower dust shroud for my saw and I had it in two days.

[jack duren]

I think the riving knife on the Powermatic slider was around $250 and other parts unavailable. Parts for the Altendorf WA8 dealer only. I would replace all bearings on the SC2 if possible...We have an SC2 but unsure about getting replacement parts.

[jack duren]

Here are some screenshots from the 2012 online parts manual. These match with the printed parts manual that came with my 2016 saw.

The bearings are Item 5, and you will need 12 for a complete replacement.

372257

372258

There are two riving knives available for the SC2. One is for the standard shroud and the other is for the suspended shroud. The part number highlighted is for the standard shroud.

372255

372256

If you can't find a source, send me a PM and I'll see what I can do with the local German distributor. I had to order a replacement lower dust shroud for my saw and I had it in two days.

Any pricing available on the 12 bearings?

[Mike Kees]

Mike thanks for the offer. I will definitely get in touch if I can't find a solution here. I checked out McMaster-Carr's website last night, after measuring my bearings with a caliper. Diameter is .625 which translates to 5/8'' according to a conversion chart on the site. There are three alloy choices . I would need advice on which one to pick, thoughts ,anyone ever done this ? MIke.

[David Kumm]

My guess, and only a guess is that you would want the balls to be softer than the ways so they develop the wear. I'm also surprised that they are not a metric measurement. I'd go first to parts pronto and buy unless totally outrageous. If you are incorporating dust collection into the blade guard, I'd go the Sharkguard and have two riving knives made that fit their hood with a 3-4" port. Dave

[Mike Kreinhop]

Any pricing available on the 12 bearings?

I sent an email to my supplier asking for the price and lead time, but he won't see the email until tomorrow.

[Peter Kelly]

I'd go first to parts pronto and buy unless totally outrageous.Have you purchased anything from Parts Pronto? Raking you over the coals on parts is their pricing model...

Per above, I'd also be very surprised if the balls weren't metric but you could by sets of .625 and 16mm from McMaster to see which is best. The hard wear-resistant E52100 balls aren't real expensive and McMaster are great about accepting returns.

You might also post the same question over on the Yahoo MiniMax forum (https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MiniMax-USA/info). I'm sure this topic has come up.

[David Kumm]

I've found the partspronto pricing bad but no worse than any machine supplier. I would at least find out what the price is. You can register and get a quote online. Carissa Stanford has always been my contact unless I need troubleshooting. Then Pete is my go to. Dave

[Mike Kreinhop]

Mike thanks for the offer. I will definitely get in touch if I can't find a solution here. I checked out McMaster-Carr's website last night, after measuring my bearings with a caliper. Diameter is .625 which translates to 5/8'' according to a conversion chart on the site. There are three alloy choices . I would need advice on which one to pick, thoughts ,anyone ever done this ? MIke.

I sent you a PM with the prices and delivery time.

[Mike Kees]

So I figured that I should update this thread. I ordered bearings both 5/8 and 16mm as per Peter Kelly's advice from Mcmaster -Carr. I also got a piece of hard felt. The bearing "cage" has two pieces of felt that fit between the ways at each end,these keep the cage centered as well as clean the ways. Got my parts yesterday and went at it,end result is my slider is back together and works real well. I also learned a lot in the process. I am really impressed with the way this saw is designed and built. It probably will not be my last piece of minimax machinery. Thanks for all the replies and offers of help, Mike.

[Mike Kreinhop]

I'm glad your saw is fixed and you are happy with the repairs. The McMaster-Carr bearings are definitely less expensive than the OEM bearings! I buy a lot of hardware and tools from McMaster-Carr, and their return policy is great.

[Jim Becker]

'Glad you got it all fixed up, Mike! I personally really enjoy my SCM/Minimax machines, too. I think they are a good value for the money. But yea...parts from PartsPronto seem to be "gold plated", so going aftermarket with McMaster-Carr, etc., is definitely the way to go when we can.

[David Kumm]

If you can get a drawing, Lee over at Sharkguard can make riving knives in different thicknesses. He has made some for my old Robinson and they are huge. Dave

[Peter Kelly]

I'm glad your saw is fixed and you are happy with the repairs. The McMaster-Carr bearings are definitely less expensive than the OEM bearings! I buy a lot of hardware and tools from McMaster-Carr, and their return policy is great.OT but McMaster ships from US to Europe or do they have a warehouse overseas? I'm always amazed at the speed with which they ship ex) next day delivery in NYC area just using UPS ground.

Glad to hear the repair was a success!

[Mike Kreinhop]

OT but McMaster ships from US to Europe or do they have a warehouse overseas? I'm always amazed at the speed with which they ship ex) next day delivery in NYC area just using UPS ground.

I work for the DoD and have a U.S. address through the military APO system. I can buy almost anything I want from the U.S., as long as everything I order can be mailed through the USPS.