Ridgid Miter Saw repair

[Gotcha6]

The company which I work for is a small commercial outfit. We have a couple of CMS of different brands. One of the older units is a DeWalt 12" CMS that someone dropped off the saw bench some time back. Since then it never did cut consistent angles so I decided to put it on the 'grease rack'.
When I tore it down tonight I found the center table pivot boss had broken from the casting and was almost swinging freely. It's been a long time since I did any TIG welding but I'm gonna give it a try.
Here's where you guys come in: can anybody verify that these units are made of Aluminum and NOT Magnesium? I really can't tell, but I know what happens when you get Mg a little too warm & I've got ample light in the shop as it is. Plus, it's already getting warm enough I don't need any heat in the shop!
Also, I didnt' know if this was in the right forum or not so I'll just hafta trust the moderators to move it as they see fit.

 

[Woodman2k]

Dennis,
my 12" dewalt cms is about 14+ years old and its definitely aluminum.If you want to be real sure:swoon: go to the dewalt/delta parts website and search for that part number and check out the physical description and that should verify one way or another.

 

[RandyJ]

Check this out.... http://www.groupsrv.com/science/post-2730876.html

 

[Gotcha6]

Intersting site, Randy. Thanks. I found my old welding texbook & it says you can TIG weld either one with Helium shielding gas. Just so happens a customer gave me a bottle of Helium they used to fill balloons & no longer used. Don't know how much is in it but it seems to have a lot of pressure when the valve is cracked. The saw is almost a throwaway for what I'd probably have to pay for the replacement casting so nothing would be lost if it didn't work. Besides, it'll be a good experience.
I know, ........pics.

 

[BarryC]

I have no idea on what it is made of. But I justed to let you know if the repair doesn't work we'll all want pics of whatever you MacGuyver from the rest of the saw!

 

[junquecol]

DeWalt used to have a "fix it for no more than 50% of new" policy. Check to see if they still do. Might be cheaper to let DeWalt fix it.

 

[Gotcha6]

It's a deal! Went to the Ridgid website looking for the part out of curiosity. Couldn't get it to tell me how much. Gotta call back & talk to a warm body during 'business hours'.

 

[gator]

I'm confused (at my age that may be normal). Is it a Ridgid or a DeWalt?

George

 

[junquecol]

I'm confused (at my age that may be normal). Is it a Ridgid or a DeWalt?

George

George, I'm a couple years younger than you, but I too am confused.:dontknow: Dennis mentions both Rigid and DeWalt in his post. (Remember that he is in the construction business and it is Friday night.) If it is a Dewalt, he might want to search pawn shops for a dog that could be parted out. Recently, I bought a 12" DeWalt for $120, that was like new. It was an American assembled machine, from parts cast in the ROC.

 

[Gotcha6]

My bad, guys. It is a RIDGID model MS12502. I wish it was a DeWalt. They have a local service center here.

 

[Gotcha6]

Well, I finally got 'round to working on this lil' project.






I hope to try it out tomorrow. It's been fun fixing it. Got to revisit old skills.