Altendorf scoring blade not retracting?

[Daniel Bejarano]

Hi everyone,
I need help with this issue
The shopÂ’s Sliding Altendorf F45 scoring blade is not retracting itself after itÂ’s activated. In fact it stays up all the time even when the saw is off.

I appreciate any suggestions as to go about solving this

[Malcolm McLeod]

Hi everyone,
I need help with this issue
The shopÂ’s Sliding Altendorf F45 scoring blade is not retracting itself after itÂ’s activated. In fact it stays up all the time even when the saw is off.

I appreciate any suggestions as to go about solving this

I don't know Altendorf from Struesseldorf, but have done some electrical troubleshooting thru the years. Can you post pics of the actuator, and any schematics from the manual, etc...??

I assume some sort of actuator, and either the actuator or the control circuit is faulty. But, it may also be just 'torque activated'...? ....Maybe a drop of oil or grease shot in the right spot?

[Daniel Bejarano]

I’m looking at the manual and it’s emphatic about not using oil or grease. I also thought applying grease/oil would help and I wonder why is “prohibitory” which is the word the manual uses

I can’t post pics because of privileges. Do I have to donate for that. I’m sorry for my ignorance

[Malcolm McLeod]

I’m looking at the manual and it’s emphatic about not using oil or grease. I also thought applying grease/oil would help and I wonder why is “prohibitory” which is the word the manual uses

I can’t post pics because of privileges. Do I have to donate for that. I’m sorry for my ignorance

As a member, I was able to post pics, but could not ‘see’ mine or other’s pics. Not sure if this still holds. Just FYI.

[Jim Becker]

I can’t post pics because of privileges. Do I have to donate for that. I’m sorry for my ignorance
Yes, if you become a Contributor for a minimum $6 a year contribution, you'll have access to photos, private messages, the Classifieds and another area of the forum not visible to the Internet/bots or non-Contributors. Click the "Donate" button up at the top of the page.

[David Zaret]

i don't know about the altendorf.. but my martin uses (i believe) air to actuate the raising and lowering of the scoring blade if you look in the cabinet, you might see an air-activated solenoid or such, and it might simply need cleaning. just an idea.

[Walter Plummer]

I am not being a jerk. Is the saw connected to the air line? My friend is a machine tech and likes to tell the story of going all the way to Texas to plug a machine back in to "fix" it.

[Malcolm McLeod]

I am not being a jerk. Is the saw connected to the air line? My friend is a machine tech and likes to tell the story of going all the way to Texas to plug a machine back in to "fix" it.
Your friend and I may have had (at one time) the same customer.... I drove 3hrs on emergency billing rates - in the middle of the night, only to point at a red LED (blown fuse indicator). And another time in a flood to point out that their automation system could not identify or repair a shaft key that fell out.

(They were CLEARLY not native Texans; they drove a Subaru IIRC)

[Steve Jenkins]

I’m sure that all of us that have done service work have similar stories.

[Rod Sheridan]

I’m sure that all of us that have done service work have similar stories.


I once replaced a failed incandescent pilot lamp for one of the big 3 automakers, on Christmas Day, over $2K labour, under $2 for the lamp.........Rod.

[Brian Runau]

I once replaced a failed incandescent pilot lamp for one of the big 3 automakers, on Christmas Day, over $2K labour, under $2 for the lamp.........Rod.

Did you have to a company electrician and his supervisor there while you worked. Years ago heard the story of my company replacing a failed motor on a pump. Had to have our guy and a pipe filter, electrician, and a supervisor while our guy did the work. Brian

[Rod Sheridan]

Did you have to a company electrician and his supervisor there while you worked. Years ago heard the story of my company replacing a failed motor on a pump. Had to have our guy and a pipe filter, electrician, and a supervisor while our guy did the work. Brian

I did actually have a shift electrician with me, however he let me change the lamp.

We were in the battery charging room, and he was busy smoking, I was concentrating on getting out ASAP and I already had the lamp changing tool in my hand…….Regards, Rod.

[Brian Dubie]

Daniel, did you ever figure this out? I have a F-45. I can not seem to raise the blade. It goes up and down alittle but not enough to engage the wood....I was looking for grease points. I see the manual shows a grease fitting but have not figured out how to access the fitting with out removing the top? Any suggestions? Dealer has not been responsive?

[John Pendery]

Daniel, did you ever figure this out? I have a F-45. I can not seem to raise the blade. It goes up and down alittle but not enough to engage the wood....I was looking for grease points. I see the manual shows a grease fitting but have not figured out how to access the fitting with out removing the top? Any suggestions? Dealer has not been responsive?

As David mentioned above my saw uses compressed air to raise the scoring blade. It also uses air to lock/unlock the rip fence, and if I forget to turn the switch on the fence off it sometimes keeps the scoring blade from raising fully. What I’m trying to get at is if your saw uses air, any leaks or insufficient pressure could be something to check.

[Bill Dufour]

I would guess the no grease is because grease will attract sawdust and gum up moving parts. I assume this blade goes up and down on a slide track. It may go down just by gravity so any dusty gunk will prevent it from moving down.
BilL D

[Brian Dubie]

As David mentioned above my saw uses compressed air to raise the scoring blade. It also uses air to lock/unlock the rip fence, and if I forget to turn the switch on the fence off it sometimes keeps the scoring blade from raising fully. What I’m trying to get at is if your saw uses air, any leaks or insufficient pressure could be something to check.

John, I do not this is the case with an Altendorf saw, there is a shaft that rotates that lowers and raises the scoring saw...I will keep looking...thank you for response....I know there are some experiences F-45 Altendorf people on this forum. :)

[John Pendery]

Right on, Brian. I was hoping maybe Altendorf and Martin shared some similarities, and it was a simple connect to air supply fix, but probably shouldn’t have weighed in not owning that saw! Hope you find a solution quickly.

[Steve Jenkins]

John, I do not this is the case with an Altendorf saw, there is a shaft that rotates that lowers and raises the scoring saw...I will keep looking...thank you for response....I know there are some experiences F-45 Altendorf people on this forum. :)

What year is your saw? Mine is a ‘92 and came with a wrench that looks like a big nut driver that fits the end of that shaft for raising and lowering.

[John Erickson]

I have an 2003 F45 which from time to time has had the same thing happen, my Altendorf dealer Normand Machinery told me what and how to do it. If my memory is correct with the saw running power the scoring saw down using the down button on the scoring panel then shut off the saw. Restart the saw and power up the scoring saw using the up button on the scoring panel then shut off the saw. The scoring blade should retract now. It should work from then on, this has happened a couple times over the years. Hope this helps!

[Brian Dubie]

Steve, mine is 2001...I have a big wrench for the main blade...thanks

[Brian Dubie]

John, wow...I will try....Thank you!

[Brian Dubie]

John, I am grateful..tried it, no luck so far, any chance the dealer sent you written instructions? thank you Brian

[Brian Dubie]

Steve, I was wrong mine is 96....I will investigate...thanks!

[jack duren]

Sounds like it’s in the box. Fuse, etc. is it getting a signal?

[John Erickson]

Brian,
I'll look in my Owners Manual for the instructions, no email, it was on a phone call but I made notes. I'll also do the procedure on my saw before I reply so I know I have it correct.

[Brian Dubie]

John, awesome...thanks. Brian

[Brian Dubie]

John Any luck with your notes? thanks Brian

[John Erickson]

Brian,
I finally got to redo it on my saw. With the main blade running push the OK button ( light should light up ) on the scoring saw panel hold the up button to raise the scoring blade to the very top, then press the OK button. Immediately after hold the down button on the scoring panel to lower the scoring blade all the way to the bottom, then push the OK button. Shot off the main saw, turn off the master switch and leave off for a couple minutes. Turn the master back on start the main saw and the scoring saw, the scoring saw should come up to the very top and when you shut off the saw it should retract.

[Brian Dubie]

John, thank you, I will try it. Brian