Magnetic switch for a PM 66

[James Hart]

It's getting to be hit or miss when I try to start my 1982 PM 66. Sometimes nothing happens, sometimes the saw kind of stutters but doesn't fully start.

Can magnetic switches sometimes he improved by blowing them out with compressed air, or am I better off just replacing it?

Any sources for this that anyone's familiar with?
Thanks,

Jim

[Pete Bradley]

What you're describing would be a typical symptom of dirty or corroded contacts in your mag starter. There should be no reason to replace it. You can open it up and clean the contacts with a points file or 400 grit sandpaper. Should work good as new. Don't forget to unplug before opening the starter.

It's possible you have a problem with the motor too, but I'd start at the starter.

Pete

[David DeCristoforo]

I had the same issue with an old Unisaw. The starter was in a box in the base of the saw and it would eventually load up with dust. Every six months or so, I had to take the cover off and blow out the dust. Finally the thing quit and I bought a new switch/starter. I was amazed at how compact the new one was! Everything in a box no bigger that the old switch box itself! The big old starter was still there in the base of the saw but after that I didn't have to crawl around under there cleaning it out.

YM