Foxfold Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 I have an Axminster Trade Series AWFS 18 and the bushing has gone west. I contacted Axminster who said they didn't have any in stock but they had a replacement arm. So in desperation I bought one. However, when it arrived today it was just that !!! A replacement arm. No bushing, no bolt, nothing to affix it to my saw. I was fuming !! They have now emailed me with a postage label saying 'sorry' and will refund me if I send it back or they can order the bushing etc from their suppliers but it will be at least 20 weeks before they will get it . 5 bloody months ( excuse my language)... How am I suppose to last 5 months without my saw !!! I know that this saw is now made under another 'Axminster' name, in China I think, but I cannot for love nor money remember where I saw this information. Does anyone know what I can do next or how I find out if anyone does 'spare parts' for this machine ? Any help at all would be gratefully recieved as all I can get out of Axminster is a part number - ELT003344 Here's a picture of the bit I'm talking about circled in green. OCtoolguy and don watson 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 I don't know what you have in the UK for parts stores etc.. but if it was me.. I'd take the arm off the saw and take it to a parts store ( preferably a bearing store but many tractor parts stores etc.. carry bearings / bushings / sleeves etc... maybe even a auto parts store.. I highly doubt the bushing is a specialty size etc.. most equipment manufactures just buy the bearings etc.. If you have a dial caliper you could measure the inside diameter and the outside diameter then the width / length etc.. and you should be able to find a bearing that you need.. A specialty bearing shop should be able to determine what kind and size of bearing you need.. Odds are the bearing store or a tractor / auto parts store will have it cheaper than through the dealer.. since dealers just buy them anyway.. then mark them up so they make a small profit.. OCtoolguy and GrampaJim 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 (edited) As Kevin suggested, if you can get the measurements of the bushing from Axminster, you should be able to buy a bushing most anywhere. If need be, we here in the U.S. could round one up and send it to you. Do you have anybody who can do the pressing out/in? Have you contacted Wolfgang at Advanced Machinery to see if he can help? Have no fear, we'll all come together and get you back in business. Edited June 23, 2020 by octoolguy don watson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loftyhermes Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 Brenda, As your machine is a Hegner clone would not a Hegner bush fit? They have one on their site for less than £10. https://www.hegner.co.uk/spare-part-finder?machine=HM2s&version=1&query=8&search.x=8&search.y=13&search_start=true Might be worth a try for less than a tenner. Oges, OCtoolguy and GrampaJim 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kywoodmaster Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 If you have a machine shop near you check with them. If the saw has a brass bushing they can make and replace it for you. They can probably get you a bearing if that is what the saw has and you will need to have it pressed in and out anyway. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 As has been suggested Hegner parts will fit, I know this because that is all I use on my Hegner clone... Cheers Merlin... OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxfold Posted June 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 Ok,, Tony has taken it apart and cleaned it up and there is a 'flang' that is an integral part of the upper arm and a corresponding one on the saw which isn't shown on any parts diagram I can find This 'flange' is unevenly worn on both sides. When a little sideways pressure is put on the upper arm the saw works perfectly so it seems that it has worn slightly and unevenly. Tony, being an engineer, says that it is a design fault. The tensioning spring is on the side of the upper arm and over the years that slight 'pull' on the outside of the arm has created the uneven wear on the flanges. He's going to see if he can flatten the surfaces of both flange to make them run freely together. However, it would appear that my saw is way older than I was told it was when I bought it. It was second hand. The 'upside' of all this, I will have to buy a new saw !!! So now I just have to decide which one OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don watson Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) Hi Brenda, If you have an accurate size for the bushing you need you can contact Bearing King Ltd in Rotherham. I have 2 numbers here 01709 527269 which I think is the correct number and I have 01709 916714 and I am not sure where I picked that up. I have been out to the shed and had a look at my Aldi machine and the bearings are Oilite Bushes and measure 15mm od x 10mm bore and I don't know the length but Bearing King have this size of bush at 16mm long ie 16 x 15 x 10mm and it is priced at 93p + VAT = £1.12p EACH Hope this helps. take care Don W Edit They have flanged bearings as well and Tony knows will know what to order from them. Edited June 23, 2020 by don watson flanges OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxfold Posted June 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 Have decided to buy the same saw again but brand new. £520. The reason being, I like this saw, it cuts beautifully, it's cast iron and solid and when new comes with a 3yr guarantee. As they say at weddings, if anyone has reason for this not to go ahead speak now or forever hold your peace. don watson and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don watson Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 I will speak now. Try Bearing King first. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 The bushing is what's worn.. that is soft brass and will wear many times faster than the spot on the cast iron part.. the paint is about all that looks worn there.. IMO.. but the bushing is clearly worn.. I mean.. if you want a new saw and have the money for it.. but if it were me.. I'd just replace the bushing.. Appears to have not ever seen any oil? My Hawk is made similar and it requires a drop or two of light oil every 25 ish hours of run time.. on those areas where the arms are connected..I think this is probably the case with the Hegner too? I will say though.. if you go the route of a new bushing.. Buy all of them and just rebuild the saw.. if it hasn't been oiled.. you might have the other one worn too.. BadBob, OCtoolguy and don watson 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don watson Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 I would buy twice what is needed and that should last a very long time. It would be a lot cheaper too. OCtoolguy and BadBob 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 I agree with Don, Buy extras.. LOL I do this because I rely on my saw to make money... Yesterday I was cutting with my oldest Hawk 1993 220VS and a bearing started squealing right near the end of my work day so I stopped cutting and took it apart.. pressed in the new bearings and put it back together.. No wait time for bearings and parts to come in the mail.. They are just a standard bearing in my Hawk and can be picked up at any hardware type store.. I need to get a couple more since the last time this happen I bought extras but now I'm out on that size bearing.. I gotta say it's nice to have the parts on hand.. I buy extras and put in a ziplock bag and tape the bag to the stand of the saw so i know where to find them.. Funny though, I have a complete set of bearings etc for a DeWalt saw.. but I sold that saw about 2 years ago, LOL. I kept the bearings thinking they'd work in my Excalibur.. which most will but the sleeves are different and I can't find a source for just the sleeves yet.. I have about $250 in DeWalt parts.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxfold Posted June 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 14 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said: Appears to have not ever seen any oil? Oooh Heck,, I've never put oil anywhere OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 8 minutes ago, Foxfold said: Oooh Heck,, I've never put oil anywhere Well, don't feel bad because I'm pretty sure most scroll sawers either don't oil or forget too.. myself included.. that's why I keep all the extra parts.. and some saws don't really have a maintenance guideline to follow.. Who wants to take time to oil the saw when we have projects to make.. Now.. I'd check with the manual to see if it requires any oil... some of those type brass bushings have a lubricant made right in to the brass when they are made.. This could be the case... and when they wear you just replace.. The oil is a sawdust bed so I would go with whatever the manual suggest.. That soft brass is designed to wear out instead of the cast iron.. that's why they make those out of that soft material.. It's cheaper and easier to replace the bushing than the whole saw.. ( this is one difference between a cheap saw and a quality made saw... cheap ones are just throw away... though some of us take them apart and repair them anyway ).. OCtoolguy and BadBob 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxfold Posted June 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said: on the cast iron part.. the paint is about all that looks worn there. Tony has had a good look and the cast iron part is worn too, quite a bit he says. He is going to get new bushings for it though and he will tinker with it and if he can get it anywhere near usable he's going to have it for his workshop. Me ?? I just bought a new one and it should be here tomorrow kmmcrafts, Roberta Moreton, meflick and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 8 hours ago, Foxfold said: Have decided to buy the same saw again but brand new. £520. The reason being, I like this saw, it cuts beautifully, it's cast iron and solid and when new comes with a 3yr guarantee. As they say at weddings, if anyone has reason for this not to go ahead speak now or forever hold your peace. Well, the worst case scenario as I see it is you will end up with two great saws once you get this one fixed. I'm thinking now that you know the problem, it should not be that difficult to fix it. Cheers. kmmcrafts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted June 24, 2020 Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 Congratulations on the new saw, Brenda! Too bad you had to go through the head-aches but, I'm happy for the good out-come for you! God Bless! Spirithorse OCtoolguy and kmmcrafts 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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